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Making a Summerbeam
allen griggs
Member Posts: 35,692 ✭✭✭✭
I am going to build a log cabin next year, and I need a summerbeam.
This tree will do.
I cut the tree March 7. It is best to make a winter cut when the sap is down. This will result in less splitting and checking of the summerbeam.
Vertical marks 8 inches apart are made on the ends of the log, using the level. The cut lines are then marked with the chalk line. I am cutting this beam so that the center of the log will be the center of the beam. This is called "boxing in the heart." When you box in the heart it results in minimal warping of the beam.
If we had a larger log, and cut it down the middle and made 2 beams from it, those beams would warp.
The big German saw is ready to rip!
My photographer has skipped town today.
With my home-made log cart, one person can move the summerbeam around the yard. This beam probably weighs 400 pounds.
The summerbeam is set aside for storage.
This tree will do.
I cut the tree March 7. It is best to make a winter cut when the sap is down. This will result in less splitting and checking of the summerbeam.
Vertical marks 8 inches apart are made on the ends of the log, using the level. The cut lines are then marked with the chalk line. I am cutting this beam so that the center of the log will be the center of the beam. This is called "boxing in the heart." When you box in the heart it results in minimal warping of the beam.
If we had a larger log, and cut it down the middle and made 2 beams from it, those beams would warp.
The big German saw is ready to rip!
My photographer has skipped town today.
With my home-made log cart, one person can move the summerbeam around the yard. This beam probably weighs 400 pounds.
The summerbeam is set aside for storage.
Comments
I envy you building a log cabin.
Stay safe-Ron
Black walnut?
That's what I was thinking too.
Your Pretty Handy Fer An Ol' bugger [^]
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
I will post the story when I build the log cabin next year.
Nice job tho, would love to see more pics !
I have 3 8"x8"x26' beams in my house. I didn't saw them my self. I had them taken to the saw mill
1 hemlock and 2 white pine
The summerbeam will run right down the middle, 8 feet off the floor, and the big joists will set on the summerbeam.
This beam will run 16 feet and there will be a kingpost, then another beam, 8 feet long will meet this beam on top of the post. I will splice them together. So that, the total summerbeam will be 24 feet long.
I wanted to make a single summerbeam 24 feet long but my home made crane will not lift a beam so heavy.
This summerbeam will be prominent in this cabin and will constantly be viewed by anyone in the cabin. I am going to doll it up. I will sand it completely smooth and put satin polyurethane on it.
The kingpost and the other part of the summerbeam will also be black walnut.