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Small Cabin Forum / Member's Projects and Photos / The Northern Wisconsin Dovetail
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MJH
Member
# Posted: 7 Jan 2022 19:06
Reply 


I'll spare you the not-very-long backstory but I went from not having land or intending to build a cabin to changing those plans on a total whim last October (I'm married... you can figure it out).

In early December I found this listed for sale about 90 minutes away from the property (300 miles from "home"). A long drive and a cold, snowy visit later and I had agreed to buy this (it's 16ish by 32ish) and also the little building in the back to tack on as a bed or TV room.



I set about getting permits and 3 months later almost everything I'd paid for showed up. It seems the builder "forgot" to include some pretty crucial logs (which he promised to make good on... before he flaked out and disappeared).

Anyhow, I'm not much for hot weather and bugs so over the summer I hired an excavator for the foundation and by the end of July I had an insulated slab with 32 inches of blocks on which to build. The plan was to get going in mid September and have the cabin dried in by the end of October.



I'll update when I post from here on out, but for now I'll just say we're LONG past October, we're still working on a roof, but I'd rather be up on that roof in 5 degrees and wind than in the July humidity with bugs...





















And that's where we're at now. Two roof overhangs and an end truss to build and get up, then about 40% of the plywood to still put up on the roof (I've done the majority of it myself... which took some figuring out). Then we can get a roof on and get to where we were trying to be in October.

MJH
Member
# Posted: 7 Jan 2022 19:07
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No idea how to get these pics to resize. I'll work on it.

curious
Member
# Posted: 7 Jan 2022 19:10 - Edited by: curious
Reply 


Use the website upload option if you can't resize the images yourself. There are upload rules listed. You van delete the links to the huge images and upload sepately

paulz
Member
# Posted: 7 Jan 2022 19:32
Reply 


Yes please redo the photos, 'cause it looks nice. I'm curious about the Wisconsin Dovetail. Is it anything like the Texas Twostep?

ICC
Member
# Posted: 7 Jan 2022 21:01 - Edited by: ICC
Reply 


I only see three images andtwo of them have the same file #. The remainder display missing images images.

Here are the 2 I see, from 1st, 2nd, 3rd place.

But of course the text in the entire page is still wide and difficult to read.
1
1
2,3
2,3


WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 10 Jan 2022 08:12
Reply 


Hey, pretty sure i saw that kit posted locally!

MJH
Member
# Posted: 10 Jan 2022 09:32
Reply 


Quoting: WILL1E
Hey, pretty sure i saw that kit posted locally!


It was listed on facebook marketplace and on craigslist out of Madison and Minocqua. Turns out it was on a lot in Mercer, Wi.

MJH
Member
# Posted: 17 Jan 2022 15:27
Reply 


Update... or lack thereof. Ran up to check on the tarps. Shook the snow off. And that's where we're at.
PXL_20220117_1840003.jpg
PXL_20220117_1840003.jpg
PXL_20220117_1848323.jpg
PXL_20220117_1848323.jpg


gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 17 Jan 2022 18:04
Reply 


Nice looking cabin and size.
I was under the impression that something was supposed to be done for insulating/sealing while assembling the courses?

MJH
Member
# Posted: 17 Jan 2022 19:01
Reply 


Each course will have backer rod put into it, then some insulation (chinking then backer rod on both sides with insulation between). That will all come after I stain it, which I'll get to as soon as I get the roof done.

On the original timeline the roof will be done October 2021, so we are doing just fine. Everything is fine.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 17 Jan 2022 20:17 - Edited by: ICC
Reply 


What is the thickness of the wall timbers?

MJH
Member
# Posted: 17 Jan 2022 20:50
Reply 


Quoting: ICC
What is the thickness of the wall timbers?


They are 6x6.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2022 11:57
Reply 


Is this going to be for part-time use or full-time? If part-time use is planned does that include winter? I ask because the 6" thickness of the timbers is getting to the point where the wood mass begins to be a thermal mass. Your location is north enough that this may make heating a structure that has been sitting unheated and very cold take longer than expected.

It is difficult to tell from the photos. Are those corner joints full dovetails where the angles do fully resist lateral movement in all horizontal directions? Do you know what sort of a jig system was used to cut them?

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 18 Jan 2022 13:06
Reply 


That is a nice cabin ! And good attitude, your moving forward.
I enjoy our log cabin. And like looking at the grain in the logs. I like your plan on doing the caulking. We also have bears so I was concerned about them breaking in.
When we snogo out in the winter it can get a bit chilly. And the cabin warms up fine. And sitting in front of the fire, watching it together with my squeeze. Always warm.
What are you going to do for heat? Lots of stuff now days that will start remotely before you even get there. With a wood stove crank er up. We can get to 70 in a couple hours. And for me the amount of time it may take to warm , a couple hours, compared to a stick frame, near a couple hours. Not enough difference to matter. But that's just my opinion.
BTW that's a nice energy heal you have on that truss. Where having that added insulation directly above the wall. I would suggest running your insulation over the wall.
We like the looks of our log cabin. Each of us has our preferences and designs. And yours is looking great.
Picture of my snogo. 25 below but I had some traps to check.
Better load the stove up
Frosty morning
Frosty morning


MJH
Member
# Posted: 19 Jan 2022 00:24
Reply 


Quoting: ICC
Is this going to be for part-time use or full-time? If part-time use is planned does that include winter? I ask because the 6" thickness of the timbers is getting to the point where the wood mass begins to be a thermal mass. Your location is north enough that this may make heating a structure that has been sitting unheated and very cold take longer than expected.

It is difficult to tell from the photos. Are those corner joints full dovetails where the angles do fully resist lateral movement in all horizontal directions? Do you know what sort of a jig system was used to cut them?


It's a weekend cabin. Without saying much more I can tell you that it's permitted as an *unheated* dwelling (renewable heat source, ie. wood stove, is fine) but I'm aware that I won't be walking in on a friday night, putting a log in the stove and having a comfortable and warm place. I've got thoughts on how I'll deal with that.

I'll see if I can find a closer shot of the corners. Technically I thin it's a half dovetail. Logs are definitely prevented from sliding inward but I suppose could push out if enough force was put on them.

They were chainsaw cut with a jig that looks similar to these: https://logdovetailjig.com/

MJH
Member
# Posted: 19 Jan 2022 00:32
Reply 


Quoting: Aklogcabin
We also have bears so I was concerned about them breaking in.

What are you going to do for heat?

BTW that's a nice energy heal you have on that truss. Where having that added insulation directly above the wall. I would suggest running your insulation over the wall.

We like the looks of our log cabin...


Thanks for the kind words. It's a lot of fun looking at all the projects on here. No two places alike- which is very different from where I'm forced to live most of my life.

We've got Bear in the area, but they aren't as prevalent as Ak, and the neighbors around haven't reported any serious issues. Thankfully.

Well, we're permitted for a wood stove. I won't say too much more than that. Lots of good options out there, like you say.

It's an 18 inch energy heal on the trusses. The ceiling is going to be spray foamed then have as much insulation packed in as possible. I also oversized the floor joists for insulation as well.

Every time I'm up there struggling on something I think about how much further along I'd be if I had stick-framed the cabin, but in the end we'll have something that looks unlike anything else in the area and should be a fantastic spot for the family to hang out.

gcrank1
Member
# Posted: 19 Jan 2022 09:20
Reply 


Fwiw, install the stove stack straight up and my pref is as near the peak as possible to avoid draft and snow shear issues.

BRADISH
Member
# Posted: 19 Jan 2022 12:26
Reply 


Cabin looks great! Bummer about the builder disappearing, but looks like you're making great progress regardless! Keep up the great work.

MJH
Member
# Posted: 19 Jan 2022 22:25
Reply 


Quoting: BRADISH
Bummer about the builder


Nothing is rural northern Wisconsin ever goes off without a hitch... And I knew going in he had some personal issues so it was not a total surprise.

MJH
Member
# Posted: 13 Mar 2022 17:33
Reply 


After a long 5 days with the help of 2 others whom I cannot thank enough, we finally have the last end truss up and the plywood on the roof. This roof has been a monster project. Feels good to have it looking like a cabin.
That plywood was heavy.
That plywood was heavy.


FishHog
Member
# Posted: 14 Mar 2022 07:15
Reply 


Looks great. I’m sure it’s nice to see good progress

MJH
Member
# Posted: 14 Mar 2022 15:47
Reply 


Quoting: FishHog
Looks great. I’m sure it’s nice to see good progress


Thanks. It's been a tough winter, weather-wise... but we're moving forward.

BRADISH
Member
# Posted: 14 Mar 2022 16:52
Reply 


Looks great. Props to you for working through the winter. I knew I wouldn't be able to hack it and didn't want to have to shovel my floor a hundred times. Sure am getting itchy to start on it now though.

You'll be in a great spot come this spring to enjoy it this summer though!

MJH
Member
# Posted: 14 Mar 2022 22:12
Reply 


Quoting: BRADISH
Looks great. Props to you for working through the winter...


Thanks. We didn't plan to work through the winter either, but I'll take that over doing it in mosquito season!

BRADISH
Member
# Posted: 15 Mar 2022 12:01
Reply 


Quoting: MJH
but I'll take that over doing it in mosquito season!

Ahh yes.. I am "looking forward" to fending off the attacks from our 'state bird' as well.

MJH
Member
# Posted: 21 Jun 2022 17:06
Reply 


Sometimes it feels like this will never get done. Pretty good progress the last few days, though.

We've got some shingles up, and a well!
PXL_20220617_2125533.jpg
PXL_20220617_2125533.jpg


MJH
Member
# Posted: 26 Jun 2022 21:56
Reply 


If we're not careful this might get finished some day.

The roof is almost done.
The Roof 2
The Roof 2
The Roof
The Roof


MJH
Member
# Posted: 26 Jul 2022 23:18 - Edited by: MJH
Reply 


A year of progress (sorta.. didn't really start building until the end of september).

MJH
Member
# Posted: 26 Jul 2022 23:20
Reply 


Quoting: MJH
A year of progress (sorta.. didn't really start building until the end of september).



And the pics I mean to attach.
july2021.jpg
july2021.jpg
sept21.1.jpg
sept21.1.jpg
October_2021.jpg
October_2021.jpg
july2022.jpg
july2022.jpg


Nobadays
Member
# Posted: 27 Jul 2022 08:48
Reply 


Very nice!

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