Cabin project.

[coloradoclyde]

:thumbsup:

 

[wpjson]

When I built my cabin,we had no electricity so we had to use traditional methods. Most of the 100+ year old buildings in Southwest Montana are from sawed lumber. Even those way back in the mountains. That's what we did. Also, we used the traditional labor saving device called "family". Everyone took a week off and spent it erecting the cabin. After one week of hard work, we had the walls up, some windows in and the roof on. I took it from there. After 20 years, I am still working on it. Will never finish it,of course. Always something to add.

 

[Elkeater]

Most public lands have limitations on how long you can camp in one area..

National Forest limit is 2 weeks.

 

[Bo T]

A small cabin can use small logs, say 8-10". Those outer walls are load bearing so all you really need is to dovetail them on the ends to hold them in place. A cabin is pretty but, with a small building, a shed roof will be easier. Say about 10' tall in front where the stove (fireplace)would set, 6' in back where the bunks will set. After stripping the bark, hew top and bottom of the logs so they set flat. With such a short span 6" logs will work for the roof. Get a good hewing ax if you like things smooth.
If efficiency (both in construction and heating) is something you are aiming for the cordwood idea is good.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

whether a structure becomes a camp/house/ etc. depends entirely on your local building codes and ordinances. Some places have minimal rules if any. Others regulate everything from door widths to wall height and insulation. In my area building codes can double the cost of a house or garage over a plain structure. But agricultural buildings are exempt. There has been some litigation over what constitutes a residence over a migrant worker shelter and whether it is an agricultural building. Many find it less hassle to just purchase an old travel trailer which is also exempt from the residential structure rules. Certainly not in any way HC, Our local zoning facists are quick to jump on anyone living in a non-traditional modern structure. They are going after one of my clients right nor for not submitting a certificate that his septic tank was pumped. He has no septic tank. the house was built before such were required. he stopped using the outhouse years ago, so the twits assume he has put in a septic tank. But he has something called an incinerating toilet. They keep sending him letters and part of his problem is that he throws the letters away, now there is a criminal case against him. But the point is that here in the socialist east, folks have no way to handle things that do not fit into their normal either or definitions and thought processes. We are permitted to build wattle and daub structures, but not for residences, they must be agricultural. A dirt floor is probably the same.