Best Book for Log Home Building

[Maneki Neko]

Originally posted by Tim on the old LHOTI at this link (http://www.lhoti.com/forums/showthread.php3?threadid=3634)

For those of you having bought "how to" books on building a handcrafted log home, what book is your favorite? That is to say "if you could only have one book" which would it be? There are so many and many of them are very good, I can't have them all!!

I'm actually looking for a book on scribing and notching etc..

Thanks, Tim

[Sandy Helms]

By far, the most popular log home construction book purchased by visitors to www.cedar-log-homes.com is Log Homes Made Easy: Contracting & Building Your Own Log Home. This book can be reviewed and/or purchased by clicking on
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0811728471/bhcedloghom/104-5455606-3870350.

[Maneki Neko]

Sandy,

The Jim Cooper book is a good one, but the original poster is not looking for that type of book, he was looking for a book on crafting a log home, as in how to notch the logs, scribe them on each other, etc...Jim Cooper's book doesn't actually describe any of that.

Some examples would be on the LHOTI books page for Building Log Homes at:

LHOTI Books - Building Log Homes (http://www.lhoti.com/books/logbuild.php3)

And possibly more focused on the following books:

Notches of all kinds, by Allan Mackie (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0920270247/loghomesontheint/104-5178610-4575117)

or

Building with Logs, by Allan Mackie (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1552091023/loghomesontheint/104-5178610-4575117)

-meow-

[Sandy Helms]

Thanks. I'll be adding those books to my site.

[Kyle - Utah]

Hello,

I've got to say that my favorite 'book' is only available in PDF format. The following link provides access to the free publication produced by the state of Alaska:
http://www.ahfc.state.ak.us/Department_Files/RIC/Construction%20Manuals/construction-manuals.htm

I hope that others enjoy it as much as I have.

Best Regards

[Maneki Neko]

Kyle,

Excellent link! Lots of info there.

Certainly can't beat the price!

-meow-

[jtilsond]

I bought the Robert Chambers book from Amazon.com

It is complete with every detail of how to imaginable. You can't go wrong with it.

[blue eyed devil]

Yup, Chambers book is great.It lacks some info on window and door openings but you should have the Mackie books for this anyways.
Chamber's log selection rules will help keep you out of trouble dealing with taper.
Mackie's "owner-built log home book" is also a good one.

[Susan]

While I'm bumping old threads, I thought this one should be moved to the top as well.

Anybody else have a good log home or timberframe book they'd like to recommend?

[dr.]

For TF any of Tedd Benson's books will give you the bug. Then to go back to traditional thinking get some of Jack Sobon's... (yup they have great debates too :D )
When you want to actually try some design work "Timberframe Joinery and Design volumes 1 and 2" are good primers from the TF Guild's website.

Another good read is James Mitchell's "The Craft of Modular Post and Beam" its a DIY piece and piece style of construction.

[Susan]

I have "The Craft of Modular Post and Beam" it's really easy to understand, even for someone like me. :o