Saturday, January 26, 2013

Attack of the Log Cabin Republican

My brother, Jess, has it in his head that I need to build a log cabin. There's an awesome log cabin kit manufacturer over near Millersberg/burg, which means the manufacturer is Amish. Really well-made stuff.

I don't know that I want a log cabin, at least not in this context/execution. He and Jane, his wife, are stopping by tomorrow, so I'm jotting down some notes. Jane will understand, because she always does, mostly.

1. Just because it's not what you would do doesn't mean it's not right.
2. I don't want to have to heat even just 900 square feet.
3. When it's nice out, even in the winter, I won't be inside.
4. I don't need a kitchen.
5. I don't need a bedroom.
6. I don't need a "bathroom".
7. You won't have to live here.
8. You don't have to help build it.
9. Maybe I would like to build it myself.
10. Maybe building it myself is a large part of the point (to whatever it is I think I'm doing [still don't know]).
11. You're not always right.
12. Again, I don't live like you do.
13. I kind of hate kits, no matter how high-end.
14. Again, for the 397th time, I don't need/want a kitchen.
15. You're not listening. (Whole other post.)

29 comments:

DragonTat2 said...

I'd want to build it myself, too, though the crane part might be easier with a helper or two.
I have the blueprints for this log home kit. I made some changes, adding a Japanese bath tub, and opening walls. Spiral stairs in the middle. Little things. http://www.quailcreekloghomes.com/detail.cfm?modelid=20

I hear you on the heat part. Smaller is better.

David Marlow said...

Speaking of circular staircases, I've been wondering what would be involved in winterizing a corn crib, and if I could build a deck to accommodate it. My neighbor about a mile due north just built one this past fall. I may need to pay a visit.

Also, hi.

DragonTat2 said...

If we can get hemp legal, you can grow yourself a house. Have you seen this earth bag type? It could be adapted for an Ohio atmosphere.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151628057767306&set=a.10151481221767306.583912.181648562305&type=1&theater

Hi. Picked up my 5 year coin last month. Time flies whether I'm having fun or not.

Michael said...

I've always admired a guy who built his own log cabin.

David Marlow said...

Thinking out loud: fieldstone floor. (I know a guy.) How would you put windows in the side of a silo/corn rib?

Michael said...

What are the wall dimensions? Is there room?

Michael said...

A silo? Is it round?

David Marlow said...

For the sake of argument:
Round
Diameter = 16'-20'
Corrugated steel, probably
Height = ?, but let's say 10' to start of "roof"
Windows, south face, ground to roof!

Michael said...

Well, round is tricky of course. You want them recessed into the wall so they repel rain. How thick is the corrugated steel? Is it double walled? The idea when putting w window into a turret, or something similar is build a buck frame with a sill and header that are sort of D shaped, only with side extensions equal to the thickness of your new window. If you have single thickness walls, that tough to do.

Michael said...

Or, you could get real creative, like this guy did Little helf round roofs over each window made of the same material. How fucking cool is that?

David Marlow said...

Thought, and just spitballing because it's fun.

Maybe frame out/in the entire interior with wood "paneling". So, yeah, single-wall steel. But if I create sort of a fake stud structure all the way around, then I could recess the windows enough for rain with a mini-awning while blocking out the least sun in winter? Of course, the sun's so low in the south in the winter. So, non-issue?

Also, don't get murdered. Good grief, heard something like 7 kills in 24 hours? What the heck's going on up/over there?

Michael said...

And no, I will not turn on the lights in my apartment and put on my glasses. Typos? Yeah okay, I'll assume you know that helf=half

Michael said...

Chicago is a shooting gallery. The only thing that made Newtown shocking to us is that they were little kids, and all in one building. 26 people? We kill that many about every week. Mainly gang on gang stuff, but yeah, it's Caponey around here these days.

Michael said...

Anyway, yeah that's what I was thinking with single wall steel, you can frame in, and that'll give you the wall depth to recess your windows. Additional bonus of insulation between your mini-studs before you panel over it. Tall thin windows will allow you to sacrifice less inner room space, and have thinner walls.

David Marlow said...

Hey dumbass: I just spent 50+ bucks on tiny house books for inspiration, Jess comes over today to discuss logs and sites, and with 1 link you basically give me the greatest idea I've had yet for the winter safe house?

That's it. Now imagine the bin in that link maybe 1/3-1/2 bigger, and I'm starting on the stone floor Tuesday. (Calling for temps in the 50s.)

Michael said...

Hey, why do you think I come by this place David? I friggin love the first one! Is that great? Oh, I dig me the Tiny House stuff on Twitter & FaceBook.

Michael said...

Bigger than the top one? Good, that's nice and roomy. Maybe think about that 1/4"-or 1/2" foam insulation that comes in sheets 2'x4'. You can probably curve it to the wall contour, although anchoring might be a bitch.

David Marlow said...

The site I'm excited about, or, one of them, is adjacent to the well pump house. So Jess and I were talking about ways to incorporate the pump house into the overall structure. But it's negotiable. I'm thinking about removing the concrete bunker, leaving just the water tank, put a tankless water heater down there.

Michael said...

I liked the idea of the concrete bunker for a tornado refuge.

Watching The National Parks again. Love this thing. Edward and Margaret Gehrke from Omaha are doing their 1923 grand tour, 7000 miles, Yellowstone, Astoria, Rainier,Yosemite, Grand Canyon, back to Omaha ....goddamn I want to do that.

David Marlow said...

Check me re: bin "foundation", any way to get around a concrete slab, other than a deck foundation?

David Marlow said...

Your five-year coin is an inspiration and an encouragement. But not in some melodramatic way. Means it's just another date that's attainable, but not for anyone else but me.

Michael said...

Not sure I understand the question about the foundation. How is the bin anchored currently? What's the floor inside like now?

Anonymous said...

As long as you have access to the internets, I'm fine with no bathroom.

-bright

Penal-Colony said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rundeep said...

Kitchens are where you spend time in the winter. Think of it as construction using smaller tools where you eat the results.

Cindy said...

Hey man. Long time no... etc....

But that doesn't mean I don't think about you regularly. Because I do.

I like the tiny house stuff.

I agree with bright - you do need Internet access, even if it's very very tiny ... good thing chips and computers are nice and small now.

Cindy said...

Have you seen this? I thought the design was cool - I liked the tablet on the wall - and the indoor/outdoor bathroom.

http://nextbigfuture.com/2011/04/basic-civilized-housing-at-300-per.html

David Marlow said...

Cindy, just got a book in the mail detailing such "houses". It's a blast to think about, isn't it?

Isonomist said...

Regarding the corn crib winterization. That was my grandparents' home. It's still my favorite house of my childhood. They added to it year by year as kids were born and money came and went. I'll scan a photo one day. But it started as a corn crib.