Customer Reviews

Notches of All Kinds: A Book of Timber Joinery

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was able to use this book to aid in building a log home here in Michigan, found it to be sufficient to show me everything needed for building the home that we built. I also found it to be very thorough in its content. The Home worked out just as we wanted, and the owner is very happy with just how it was done.

I have read all the Mackie books and this one is by far one of the more important. He rambles a little about the Canadian woods, polotics, etc., but worth reading every bit of what this master has to say. Detailed instructions and excellent diagraming make this and all the other Mackie books a must in any woodspersons library. If you want difinitive information on how to build with logs, whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or a pro, this is the book.

Very thorough treatise on the subject of log home construction. This text does not give details on wiring or plumbing in great depth, but that would have expanded the volume to 400-500 pages, largely of work covered in several other trade-specific books. No, this is a book on building a log structure, and as such gives propper technical instruction on how to safely perform intricate and delicate tasks with large tools on large logs to form a comfortable dwelling. Or, if the task seems harder than you thought, to knowledgably oversee the work of others. I would buy this one again.

I was extremely disapointed with the content of the book. I definitely can't say that I would be able to build a log home with the insufficient information provided. I found explanations were confusing, unclear and not detailed at all. It seems that the author is assuming everybody knows how to build a house. There was not enough pictures or images to illustrate some of the most important steps of making a log home (e.g. scribing the logs...). I find this book may be interesting to get familiar with the basics of log building but it's definitely not a technical reference for a builder wannabe.

Allen Mackie's the original starting point for the resurrgence of the craft of log building and can be traced to every major log building project built in the past 30+ years around the world! This book is a good how-to and often used by owner builders and students alike with great results! I just wish he would do something on log roof support systems in greater detail and also a new revised edition of "The Picture Book of Log Homes"! We're looking for the day! Lasko School of Log Building - Bill Lasko

....The terms were very hard to understand for someone not already extremely familiar with log homes. I had to ask my husband several terms and he wasn't even sure what they were.

Last weekend I attended a two day class and learned how to build a REAL log home, put on by the Log Home Builder's Association. I learned a million times MORE than this book or Mr. Mackie could have ever have taught and the house will last so much longer.... Wait for DeWell Ellsworth's book to come out. You'll be grateful!