How-To Articles

Chainsaw Carving and Related

Tips on using the Lancelot

Remember to only use with 4-1/2 grinders...with a constant pressure (paddle type) switch...you don't want this to keep running if your hands slip and you've locked the trigger on."
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List of 1/4 pitch spur sprockets

Find out whether there is a 1/4 pitch spur sprocket available for your make and model of chainsaw:
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How to determine pitch and gauge of saw chain

How to determine the pitch and gauge of your saw chainWhen ordering saw chain the following information will assist us in matching the correct chain to your saw.
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How to change the sprocket on your Makita 5012b chainsaw

This is pretty lo-tech however it seems to work and the price is right.
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Chainsaw Tips

How do you know when the chain needs sharpened? The following guidelines can help:•You have to apply pressure on the bar to cut•Your saw kicks out more sawdust than wood chips•You can see light reflections off the leading edges of the cutters
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Maintenance

Step by Step Guide to Clean and Restore Your Deck

A great pictorial article written by the good folks at Saver Systems on how to clean refinish and maintain your wood decks and railings.
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Sikkens Natural Oak (005) on different wood species

Sikkens Natural Oak (005) on different wood species
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Protect and maintain the beauty of your log home and deck

Your home is a major investment so it is important to clean treat finish and maintain it properly. We'll lead you through the steps necessary to clean and refinish your log or wood sided home and your wood decks and railings.
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Preparation For Cedar Decks and Logs

Advice specific to cleaning and refinishing Cedar Logs decks and cedar sides homes.
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Here is a Good Primer by Perma-Chink

Here is a good primer by Perma-Chink these folks make Wood Cleaners Wood Brighteners Chinking and Caulking products and Wood finishes.
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Fall Checklist

Fall is a good time to do a final check of the exterior of your home before you settle in to enjoy a warm dry and comfortable winter ...
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Restoration

Restoring Structural Integrity to Rotted Logs

If you have rotted logs to repair fear not. The first thing to do is to figure out why the rot is present and fix that problem. We list the problem areas to check and what to do if you find trouble.
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Restoration of a 1903 Log Home Part 3

We found and purchased a 1903 log house with the intent of restoring it. Part 3 in a series of articles:Removing logs from a wall replacing logs and repairing logs using borates and epoxies.
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Restoration of a 1903 Log Home – Part 2

We found and purchased a 1903 log house with the intent of restoring it. Part 2 in a series of articles:Rough assessment log stripping final assessment.
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Restoration of a 1903 Log Home – Part 1

We found and purchased a 1903 log house with the intent of restoring it. Part 1 in a series of articles:Evaluation of the site and structure.
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Thinking about a Log Home

What To Consider If Building A Log Home or Timber Frame home Is In Your Future

What's the best style of log work for us?Where do we go for financing?How long will it take?
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Milled vs. Handcrafted Logs — What’s The Difference?

Handcrafted log homes are generally more expensive than milled log homes because there is so much more labor involved and often larger material is used.
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How Milled Stacks Up

There are several ways milled logs can be stacked:•Double Tongue & Groove Round Notch•Butt & Pass Method•Interlocking Corner Method•Post & Beam Method
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Tips and Techniques

What you should know about exterior finishes for Log Homes

Without protection from sun and moisture wood weathers" and deteriorates. Finishes are used to enhance appearance and dimensional stability and to prevent deterioration."
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Tools of The Trade: The many ways to move & peel a log

In this issue we will focus on de-barking tools log scribers and peaveys. We'll also lead you through the many methods used to peel logs from drawknives to adzes to pressure washing.
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Sharpening an axe

The sharpening of an axe is done in several steps depending on how worn down the axe head is.
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Maintaining Your Bulk Loading (caulking) gun

Albion bulk loading guns need regular maintenance to perform at their best...this article explains how.
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Enjoying Log Accents

If you like the look of logs you can use log accents to add beauty to any home or add appeal to a log home.
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Creating Your Own Log Railings & Furniture

We get a lot of calls asking what tools can be used to make log railings and furniture. There are several possibilities depending upon how quickly you want to build and how much effort you want to invest. This article focuses on log railings although much of what is discussed can be applied to log beds tables etc.
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Chinking Your Log Home

What's involved in chinking your log home let's look at some common techniques and materials to use. And we'll explain a variety of ways to apply chinking.
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Chink Paint Receipe

Here is a quick and simple way to make your own chink paint. This is used to 'freshen' the look of weathered chinking.
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Avoid Norimaki Logs

When I went to Japan several years ago to re-erect our first log home to Japan I kept hearing people ask why the house logs weren't 'Norimaki Logs'. or ... How to avoid mold and mildew on your beautiful logs."
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