Building with Logs (Paperback)

~ (Author) "that it should have, as a longtime logger said to me, "some kind of finish." A close look at the tree's physical properties will help..." (more)
Key Phrases: scribe width, log builder, plate log, British Columbia, Silloep Hill, Other Notches (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Now completely revised and updated, B. Allan This classic is still considered the best book ever written on making a full sized log home. This enlarged eighth edition, revised in 1997, is filled with numerous major construction improvements, and clearly shows the novice and experienced log builder how to select logs, plan both the site and financing, and then build a handsome log structure from the foundation to the ridge cap.

The concept of modern log building was born 25 years ago with the first edition of Building with Logs. All who loved log homes could, for the first time, learn how to build one. With over 100,000 copies sold, this book inspired thousands of owner-built homes.

Building with Logs covers: financing, the site, planning a good home, acquisition of logs, how to fall a tree and trim it, storage of logs, safety, foundations and basements, first logs and floor joists, hewing and the broad axe, cutting a round notch, sealing between the logs, setting allowance, gable ends, electrical wiring, finishing touches and much more.

The author has continued to teach, design and build. His schools have trained thousands of good craftsmen, some of whom formed companies to build internationally, with the result that the world-wide standard for excellence in log building is now a "Mackie" log house.

About the Author

Allan Mackie, the author of many books on log building, is recognized around the world as one of the foremost builders of log houses. The founder of the B. Allan Mackie School of Log Building, he teaches log building not only throughout North America but also in Europe and Asia. His schools have trained thousands of good craftspeople; some of whom formed building companies internationally, with the result that the worldwide standard for excellence in log building is now a "Mackie" log house. His other books include Log House Plans and The Owner-Built Log House.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books; Enlarged 8th edition (March 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552091023
• ISBN-13: 978-1552091029
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #602,216 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #26 in

  Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Civil > Construction > Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good source of information on buiding True log homes, March 21, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Onaway, MICHIGAN) - See all my reviews

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.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The diffinitive book from a master woodsman on log building, September 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Notches of All Kinds: A Book of Timber Joinery (Paperback)

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the bible I expected, August 11, 2003

By	J-C (Quebec, Canada) - See all my reviews

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.