LOG CABIN PROJECT - DAY ONE, PART 2.

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PART ONE (continued)

Step Three- Preparing the Front and Back of the Foundation Row

a) Take another match stick and trim 1/2" from one end. (Save these bits as they come in handy later.) Make a step at each end of this piece. Take another match stick and make a step at one end, then splice these pieces together by gluing the two together where the steps slot together. GOOF ALERT: Ensure that sure the joint is straight so the 2 pieces form a straight line, then place something with a bit of weight on top (coffee mug, sauce bottle, tin can, your foot). 

b) Make another piece the same way, then while the 2 joins are firming up, decapitate some more matches (20 will do for now), and make a step on ONE end of each. These will be used to start the ends and parts of the front wall.  

c) Now the glue has dried, take one of the joined pieces and lay it along one long side of your template with the stepped end right on the edge of one corner. Use a pencil to mark where the piece crosses over the template outline, and trim off the excess wood. Make a step on the newly cut end, then do the same to the other joined piece. GOOF ALERT: Make sure the step ends up on the same side of the log as the first one. Sounds basic, doesn't it? But sooner or later i guarantee you'll forget to check the other end right before you make that first shallow cut. 

Step Four - Assembling the Foundation Row - NOTE: Mess this up and your cabin is doomed!!!  

For a free-standing house: 

a) On the template, place 2 small dots of glue along the back wall line and carefully position one of the joined pieces with the cut-out step facing up. Make sure it is lying directly along the line, then do the same thing with the other joined piece on the front wall line. (The glue is just there for now to help keep things lined up to the template.) Take one end piece from Step Two and test fit it, placing the stepped side down so it interlocks with the ends of the the back piece. File a bit if necessary and when the fit is good, apply glue to the stepped areas as well as one or two drops along the bottom so it will stick to the template. Check that the corner is square (Lego time), then do the same thing at the other end, again making sure everything is square. Apply weight as before to the entire frame and let it dry. Let it dry more, and then some more. Ahhhh fiddlesticks, take a 30 minute break. Walk the dog, water the plants, surf the net for images of log cabin interiors,  fold the laundry, have a cup of tea, tidy up your work space or anything else that gives this essential construction time to REALLY dry for 30-40 minutes. 

b) For a direct mount: 

Assemble as above but glue the pieces securely to your base as well as gluing the stepped ends. Then you can go on to the alternate activity of your choice for 30-40 minutes.

Now it's time for me to take a break to go out for brunch with my 2 daughters and some friends before I post the final part of Day One's instructions. My frame is now under a jam jar and by the time I get back, it should be ready for the final steps.

Mini Hugs. minimadgal, member of GSOLFOT