Customer Reviews

How to Build and Furnish a Log Cabin: The easy, natural way using only hand tools and the woods around you

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I built a log cabin in the 1980's using this book and two others. The cabin is still dry and clean and will probably stand for another 100 years, especially after adding a steel roof 8 years ago.

There is some very good information on various parts of the cabin. The book falls short in a few areas, however, because of newer technologies and available materials that can help keep a cabin strong and insect free for much longer. For instance, the use of "oakem" and mud for chinking which would always need replacing, perhaps yearly. A much better lifetime product would be PermaChink which you can find on the internet. Another example would be the building of cement piers without instructing about the use of a termite shield. A simple piece of angled flashing will keep termites from ever touching any wood of the cabin as long as the sill is at least 2 inches from the soil.

But these are things that COULD be added in an update. The info that was used looks like something from the 50s, so it's no surprise that the book is dated. However most of the log construction methods are solid. The tools may have changed but the concepts are basically the same.

If you are truly interested in the grueling-yet-fun experience of building a log cabin, I would also seek out "How to Build Your Home in the Woods" by Bradford Angier, as well as "Building a Log Cabin From Scratch" by Dan Ramsey. Each of these would help round out your education and the latter is the most modern and complete of these.

NOTE: Be prepared for HARD WORK over several months. This is not something to be attempted by lazy people!

This 'older' book shows you in simple diagrams how to build rustic log structures and furniture the original way. I have used the methods to build a fantastic fence from trees harvested from my own property. I have also built most of the birdhouses. This book is not really for building a log cabin. It is the greatest book of folk art for rustic log furniture and structures I've ever seen.

I loved the book. It will help you gain a better understanding of many of the details that must be considered when building a log cabin, from tools, to site selection, to the joints used in joining log corners, to the installation of windows and doors.

I will say though, that the part of the title "using only hand tools and the woods around you" is total bull. He calls for all kinds of things that cannot be foraged from the woods, like portland cement and 20 penny nails to name a couple.

I wish I could find a book that took that title to heart and actually used only natural materials; if such a book does exsist this is surely not the one.

I bought this book not planning to build a log cabin but just for general knowledge. The book is quite sound in it's advice although somebody building a log cabin today would certainly use some more modern techniques. However, I will say that if you needed to build a log structure basically by hand this book could probably get you through it. It may not be a resort but it will be dry.
I particularly liked the section on rustic furniture and fence building. I built several of the projects and they turned out quite well. This book is good for any fan of the outdoors and rustic building. Just amazing to think that not too long ago this is basically how things were done.

great book for beginners easy to read information lots of step by step details

I got this for my 12 year old son who was fasinated with the PBS special showing the man who built a cabin in Alaska. It was a big hit! He has been reading it ever since Christmas morning. He says it really tells you how to build and furnish a Log cabin - and what tools you need.
Anything that gets a 12 year old excited about reading is good in my book.

One dream of mine & my boyfriend is to pull up stakes & move to a serene, remote area of the country. This book tells us everything we need to know to handle the housing portion of that dream.

Book is well written with outstanding illustrations on preperation and construction of a basic to complex log cabin. It also includes a section on furnishing a cabin, which is also one of his other books 'Rustic Construction', so its like getting two books in one. If you ever had a desire to build a cabin, this is the one book to get.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift. The person I bought it for was very pleased with it.

cool book in need of some more details but if your looking to dream about building a cabin this is a dream builder to start with