Number 41

All the news about fits

January/February 2003
Inside
this issue
The importance of a
Web sitea good
Web site
Its not too late to
capitalize on the Web
Page 2
At issue:
Crane safety
Inspector shares
his insights
Page 5
Personal safety gear
options to consider
A look at protective
clothing and gear
Page 8
Stairs: Going to
another level
Stairway artistry to be
shared at AGM
Page 13
Log builders building
their own log home
One log building familys
home building saga
Page 15
Visual stress grading
of building logs and
timbers
Simple, but important
Page 19
2003 membership
strong and growing
stronger
Welcome to our new
and continuing members
Page 22
Committee reports
Page 23
Enhancing the Tradition in Aylmer
30th annual AGM promises to dazzle
Agreement Number 40707514
By Robrt Savignac
Okay, we go through particular hallmarks
every once in a while, and the numbers can
be confusing at times. It is indeed the
thirtieth meeting, but still only the 29th
year as an association. Founded in 1974,
year zero held the first meeting kind
of like the Y2K controversy!
Its time to hold the International Log
Builders conference out East again. Given
the substantial difference in Canada/US
exchange rates, proximity to airports, ease
of access and other criteria in selecting
meeting sites (including both a significantly
growing membership and greater
conference attendance every year) we will
be gathering at the Chteau Cartier, in
Aylmer, Qubec, across the Ottawa River
from the Nations
Capital. Details for
the 30th ILBA
Conference, the
registration
information for
both conference
and pre-
conference
courses are included with this LBN mail
out. Information is posted on the Web site
and any updates and changes will be kept
current there.
Highlights this year include a 2-day
Crane Operator seminar, a Log Grading
Certification, more French Scribing, all as
pre-conference workshops; then during the
main conference event youll find great
seminars and workshops in stair-building,
log hip and valley rafters, a look at Finnish
log building techniques of old and new,
training and safety tips, thermal
performance facts
and fiction, as
well as
fascinating
wood science
perspectives
of Les Jozsa. This will
all be kicked off by a keynote address by
the CLBA, now ILBAs founding father B.
Allan Mackie, followed by yet more topics
and presentations to suit many areas of
interest!
Conference fees now include a third
nights accommodation and extra meals as
well as an expanded program. Outside of
regularly scheduled events for our
membership, the ILBA will also host two
seminars for public attendance and another
for government employees and officials,
since we will indeed be very near the
federal hub of Canada, as well as within
easy access of the upper Northeast and
New England states. These efforts are in
keeping with our mandate to our
dedication to the education of both our
members and the public and the pursuit of
the highest standards in the industry.
The past two conferences and recent
Rendez-vous have also presented our
International Log Builder Games. Rules
have been tightened and the competition is
tough! In keeping with the pursuit of
excellence there are specific guidelines
that will not tolerate unsafe work practice,
or substandard work. Notches must fit
NO GAP allowance! We are showcasing
the skills and abilities of craftsmen/women,
C
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!
Chteau Cartier
CONFERENCE
Continued on page 24
Log Building NEWS
Issue #41Jan./Feb. 2003
Published six times a year
2003 International
Log Builders Association
P.O. Box 775
Lumby, British Columbia
V0E 2G0 Canada
800-532-2900 toll-free
250-547-8776 phone
250-547-8775 fax
www.logassociation.org
Cathy Hansen, Executive Director
cathy@logassociation.org
Robrt Savignac, Executive Director
robert@logassociation.org
Ann Miks, Administrative Assistant
ann@logassociation.org
Contributors to this issue:
Linda Bourdage 403-932-3992
Ron Brodigan 218-365-2126
Ed Burke 406-251-6189
Dave Gardner 250-547-2400
Greg Steckler 541-389-4887
Jeff Patterson 208-676-0422
Robrt Savignac 250-547-8776
Log Building News Editor
Bettyann Moore
N8879 Cty. Hwy.Y
Seymour, WI 54165 USA
920-833-6127
betiam@athenet.net
The importance of a Web
site a good Web site
Y
o
u
r

A
d

H
e
r
e
!
Log Building
By Greg Steckler
One of the
deep underlying
reasons we build
log homes is to
create something
of beauty, of lasting
worth, a legacy.
The perfect notch,
the perfectly fitting
log, the creation of a home, solid,
warm, permanent beautiful things
of lasting worth. Each time we build a
home there is the joy of accomplish-
ment but also the hunger to do it
again, a little bit different, a little bit
better. Most of the time, just doing
your best is its own reward. Sure,
you get compliments along the way.
You get criticism, too.You learn, you
grow, you get better. As years pass,
you realize that you can take good
ideas from others and put your own
touch to them.You dont have to be
an island unto yourself, you can share
knowledge and mistakes, make
improvements, move on.You can
communicate and when you do there
is usually an exchange of information
that gives you new horizons to look
at, new ideas to chew on.
Occasionally, you ask someone,
Would you like to see what I have
done?
And that, dear reader, is what a
good Web site does. It invites some-
one to see what you have done, to
get a glimpse of what you can do, to
get an inkling of your work, your pas-
sion, your art. The Internet and the
Web sites it contains is a profound
human invention. Its implications are
not understood at all, but one thing
is certain: its a numbers game and
no one knows how to play it. Thats
the good news because it means we
all have a chance. Its not an equal
chance, money still talks, but it is not
totally controlled by the big, early,
well-heeled players, either. In fact,
some of the biggest players like IBM,
Microsoft, and AOL-Time Warner,
screw up regularly. And no one in the
log home field has come close to hit-
ting a home run on the Internet.
There have been individual successes,
like designing a log home in Russia
and co-coordinating its construction
Greg Steckler
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 2
Log Building NEWS
3 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
in Estoniaall from Bend, Oregon
(in three different languages, metric
measurements and I dont know how
many time zones). The bad news is
that it is a numbers game and no one
knows how to play it. Some 400
million people have access to the
Web and it wont be long until were
talking billions.
Do you want to say, Would you
like to see what I have done? to 400
million people? Would they care? Is it
important that some small percent-
age do care? Of course it is.You want
a positive image of your business and
your Web site can reflect your style
of how you do business as well as
the services and products you
provide. There is only one Internet. It
is young, huge, relatively cheap and
you have the golden opportunity to
stake your claim, to define your turf,
to get into the game. Reach out and
touch someone? How about
everyone?
Of course, the reality is there is
already too much to see and do on
the 'Net. Its hard to find anything.
Will it get better or worse? Yes and
yes, no and no depends on your
point of view and frame of mind.
Certainly, the Web is growing and
changing every day. Parts of it are
getting easier, others a lot more
difficult. And new stuff? Fancy fea-
tures, animations, data, demographics,
spam, banners, pop-ups/downs/side-
ways will be adopted for a short time
if they work (read, make sales). I real-
ly hope spam dies a very quick death.
What does work is research. There
are at least 150 handcrafter Web
sites listed on at least seven log
home information super-sites, or por-
tals, all telling their story, their vision
of what log homes ought to be to
anyone who surfs by. So weve got
150+ storefronts (make that 350
additional ones for kit log home pro-
ducers) clamoring for the attention
of 25,000 new log home wannabee
owners each year. Even if half of
these are owner builders that leaves
25 log homes left for each producer
per year. (If only it were so. I know
youve heard these numbers batted
around before, but no one has come
up with anything else, so its what
weve got to work with. Its probably
not too far off.) Those wannabees
are looking and looking hard at
everything about log homes they can
find. They buy magazines and books,
go to trade shows, ask for brochures,
talk to salespeople, cruise around
looking at log homes on weekends,
and even stay in log B&Bs. But most
of all, they surf the Web looking at
log home Web sites and super-sites.
Its a numbers game and it is not
much of a leap to say that most folks
buying or building a new log home
will do research on the Web. Theyll
get confused, come away with wrong
WEB SITE
Continued on Page 4
Log Building NEWS
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 4
LOGS FOR SALE
FSC Certified Building Logs
in compliance with ILBA Standards.
Premium quality hand selected building logs
Fir, Spruce, Larch and Lodgepole with bark on or off.
Gudeit Bros. Contracting Ltd.
Call Brian @ 250-804-3416
Box 1026 Lumby, BC V0E 2G0
Phone: 250-547-9899 Fax: 250-547-9818
Email: lgudeit@telus.net
impressions, get baffled but in time
they will get educated. The longer
they do research the more they will
learn, they will get knowledgeable,
and (heres the good part) the better
chance you have if you have a Web
site and a good Web site will
improve your batting average even
more.
So what is a good Web site, or if
you have one already, what does it
take to make it better?
The answer is really quite obvious:
it is a site that engages a researcher;
it is sticky, makes them bookmark it
and return often; it is inviting and
gives you a chance to tell your story,
to convince, to get on their short
list, to connect on a very personal
level. It is the lead-in to the eventual
face-to-face, which is usually neces-
sary to close the deal. But if your
Web site has really done its job,
these wanna-bees, soon to be clients,
are pre-sold and want to have you
build their log home. As you already
know, clients are forever, and good
clients are referrers, the best of all
business relationships.
Rose-colored glasses. Of course
we know we want it to work. Thats
the end; what is the means? Beats me.
I dont know, and if any one else says
they do, theyre selling something.You
wont find any $100 answers here,
and theres a reason: its too new,
too soon, its evolving too fast.
So what can you do? You must get
your domain name and stake out
your turf, open up your storefront,
make an Internet land claim, and get
into the game. Once there, treat it
just like your log building skills/art.
Learn, compare with others, share
knowledge, successes, mistakes
grow. To excel at your work, whether
log building or Web building is still
yours to do or not. They are not
unconnected.Your Web site can and
should be the instrument of intro-
duction/invitation between you, your
work and your new client. Just being
there is not enough. Having a log
yard, a chain saw, a pair of scribes and
doing mediocre work is no legacy at
all. What your Web site says about
you is as important as the kind of
relationship you want to foster with
your future clients.Your Web site can
be the unveiling of your lifes work,
your passion, who you are, what you
can do, what you can give and create
for the next special couple. Your
Web site asks and already answers
the question, Would you like to see
what I have done? After all, its your
legacy make it a good one.
Greg Steckler is the owner of
LogRhythms as well as the Web site Log
Homes on the Internet.
WEB SITE
Continued from page 3
Log Building NEWS
5 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
At issue:
Crane safety
Inspector says proper maintenance,
training and inspection are the key
Just over $99 million was
recently awarded to the
families of three ironworkers
killed when a crane collapsed
at a construction site. The
contractor and the crane
company that leased the
crane and its operators will
share payment of the
damages. This accident and
its costly emotional and
financial aftermath are,
unfortunately, not a rare
occurrence.
Thomas R. Barth of Barth
Crane Inspections in South
Carolina, indicates that many
crane accidents can be
avoided if operators are
properly trained and
certified and regular
inspections of cranes are
conducted. Accidents often
occur when the company is
in a hurry to meet time
constraints and puts
pressure on the operator to
exceed the load chart, or
sometimes its simply the
case of an inexperienced and
unqualified operator, says
Barth.
According to Barth,
important items to check
include:
Contractors should check
carefully the qualifications of
all crane operators who
work on their projects,
whether his company
employs them or the crane
leasing company furnishes
them.
All operators should have
the National Commission of
Certified Crane Operators
(CCO) designation, the only
designation recognized by
The U.S. Department of
Labors Occupational Safety
& Health Administration
(OSHA).
Barth will assist operators
in CCO exam preparation at
the contractors location as
part of the classroom and
hands-on training he offers.
The training is tailored to
the contractors
requirements for mobile,
overhead and tower crane
operations and rigging. He
also stresses that extensive
training on the construction
site is imperative because
there are so many safety
Just because someone
has inspected the crane
does not let the contrac-
tor off the hook.
-Thomas Barth
Log Building NEWS
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 6
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issues that need to be considered for
the operators as well as others who
work in proximity to cranes. Safety is
a constant concern and updated
training also is needed because there
are so many new crane designs,
according to Barth.
Barth said most accidents are
caused by:
Operating cranes too close to
power lines, resulting in
electrocutions. (OSHA says contact
with energized power lines causes a
whopping 45 percent of crane
accidents).
Improper setup of the crane.
Setting up on soft ground or too far
away from the load are examples.
Poor maintenance of the crane.
Weather. Wind whipping around
tall buildings in big cities causes
accidents, as does the wind from the
ocean in coastal areas.
Inexperienced operators. Barth
emphasizes this can be easily
corrected with proper training and
certification.
Barth also states that training is
not complete without giving safety
guidance to employers, as the
superintendent must be supportive of
the on-site safety measures.
ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN Loose tools, scraps, garbage and the like can lead to a
disaster if left near a crane operation site.
CRANE SAFETY
Continued from Page 5
Log Building NEWS
7 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
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Even though cranes
receive daily inspections and
maintenance from the
operator or other designated
person at the job site, regular
inspections by an expert
further ensure safety and
protect the contractors or
the crane leasing companys
huge investment.
Most common problems
that are revealed during
inspections, Barth says, are
dents in the boom, air leaks
caused by improper fittings,
old hoses, etc., load locks not marked,
missing operators manual, no fire
extinguisher, non-functioning
windshield wipers and no safety
decals and warnings displayed.
Safety laws, Barth continues, are
made for people who dont know
what they are doing.
There are many retired crane
operators in the inspection business
who might perform an inspection for
half the price of a professional, Barth
says, but when an accident happens,
the contractor wishes he had called
in a professional inspector who had
gone by the books. Just because
someone has inspected the crane
does not let the contractor off the
hook, he cautions.
For more information, call 888-
842-2350 or e-mail Mr. Barth at
tom@craneoperator.com. The ILBA
office contacted Tom and had some
great discussions on this whole issue.
As the ILBA is planning to offer a
preconference course on cranes at its
upcoming AGM in Ottawa this April,
Tom was a great help in steering us
to the appropriate instructors in that
area. We are currently negotiating the
course with the OETIO in
Morrisburg, Ontario, with whom Tom
has worked in the past.
CRANE OPERATORS NIGHTMARE Accidents can
and do happen every day; most are preventable by observ-
ing proper safety measures and regular inspections.
Drop everything and
register today for the
ILBAs 30th AGM in
Aylmer, Qubec!
Log Building NEWS
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 8
Learn about timber framing
Experience the joy of building
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education inspiration
888-453-0879
www.TFGUILD.ORG
Personal safety gear options to consider
By Ron Brodigan
During several decades of building
and teaching beginning owner-
builders, I have
encountered many
kinds of personal
accessories that
potentially con-
tribute to safety,
both for students
during their
learning and on
their subsequent
personal log projects. At this facility,
the students are responsible for
securing the prescribed safety items
from several sources prior to their
course. Safety equipment that is both
convenient to use and comfortable to
wear is more likely to be worn when
needed.
It seems that most people involved
in logging or log construction wear, at
minimum, saw-resistant chaps or
trousers, hardhat, and hearing
protectors. Here are a few variations
of these that may not be familiar to
everyone.
Many of us use cupped hearing
protection, usually the sort that
attaches to hardhats; others prefer
molded earplugs, disposable or not.
The degree of protection relates to
the intensity of the noise. During my
Navy service on a carrier flight deck,
we had sound-attenuation earmuffs
that were probably the best obtain-
able even at that distant time. This
was fortunate because the noise of
jet aircraft engines in that cozy prox-
imity was excruciating. Even with the
comparatively lesser noise of a disc
sander or chainsaw, something to
protect against the noise is indicated
- usually a protector that will allow
some conversation to be heard
between workers, but one that will
also afford adequate protection.
Probably the only disadvantage of the
muff type is that they dont seal well
around eyeglasses. My own prefer-
ence, partly because they are
inexpensive and dont interfere with
the bows of regular or safety eye-
glasses, is a pair of interior foam ear-
pods connected by a thin, hard, semi-
circular plastic band that fits under
the chin or behind the head, and,
when not being used, can remain
around the neck. Thus they are inde-
pendent of, but compatible with, any
hardhat or other headgear. They are
also handy around noisy yard equip-
ment, firearms or power tools. They
are inexpensive enough ($4.80 USD
with replacement pods) that I keep
several banded earplugs with my
chainsaws and also hang a few on a
nail by the door of the workshop and
Ron Brodigan
9 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
Log Building NEWS
on the boom truck and tractor.
Although there are many brands and
types, my favorites, used by some
aviation workers, are Howard Leights
Quiet Bands QB1 and QB2, with
noise reduction ratings (NRR) of 27
and 25 respectively. NRR is an indica-
tion of the relative level of protection
afforded by the earplug or muff, with
higher numbers providing more
protection. These bands and an
extraordinarily large assortment of
other types of hearing protectors can
be found at www.conney.com., a
major safety supplier. It is important
to remember that the types of
hearing loss caused by noise are
cumulative, permanent, and always
preventable, but not repairable.
Feet, two of our most complicated
and essential organs, can easily suffer
irreversible damage unless protected
from cuts, twisting and impact.
Whether your industrial safety juris-
diction requires it or not, personal
common sense would dictate steel-
YOUR CHOICE of safety gear may vary, but whatever you choose, be sure that each piece of
equipment or clothing protects what its meant to protect.(Ron Brodigan photo)
SAFETY GEAR
Continued on page 11
Log Building NEWS
11 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
Westwood
Custom Windows & Doors Ltd.
Box 216 Armstrong, B.C.
Canada V0E 1B0
www.westwoodwindows.com
Tel: (250) 546-2966
Fax: (250) 546-2932
Excellence in
Craftsmanship.
We specialize in
log homes.
toed boots at minimum. And, in the
last fifteen years or so, Kevlar lined,
chainsaw-resistant footwear, rubber
or leather, has become quite common
in woods-related endeavors. The
durable Husqvarna rubber variety,
useful in at least three seasons, can be
obtained for as little as $65 at Rice
Lake (Wisconsin) Home Supply, 715-
234-8116. With extra socks, they may
also serve for winter use. For about
$180, one can acquire arguably the
most comfortable and tough three-
season chainsaw-protective leather
logging boots ever made available
with high or low heel. These are
known as Paragon and come in half-
sizes and different widths. Made in
Pennsylvania, they are sold by
Foresters Friend, 800-782-2407 or
724-223-8685.
Permanently fastened boot calks,
used for centuries by loggers to avoid
slipping into the drink during river
drives, have several practical disadvan-
tages for a log builder. Since the calks
are comprised of many sharp spikes
on the heel and sole of the boot,
peeled building logs can become
significantly disfigured after being
walked upon, at least from a log
builders perspective. Similarly, floors
in permanent buildings can be dam-
aged. Loggers early in the last century,
for example, when visiting sporting
houses or houses of worship with
their linoleum or varnished floors,
had to either remove their boots or
slap on slices of cork or small boot-
shaped sheet-zinc strap-ons (hung on
a nail by the door) before entering.
This was not necessary in some tav-
erns or general stores, where saw-
dust or rough wooden floors were
more customary.
We required the use of calked
boots by winter students in the early
1980s; some of our bunkhouse and
outhouse floors still display the perfo-
rated, shredded evidence. A product
called Stabilicers was a solution that
emerged some years later. These
crampon-like accessories fasten to
the bottom of any boot instantly with
Velcro straps. The traction is provid-
ed by low profile hex-heads of small
sheet-metal screws, which are
replaceable. Although it is still advis-
able to avoid nice floors, Stabilicers
will provide very secure footing on
icy ground, freshly peeled or ice-
coated logs, and wood or metal scaf-
folding, with the important advantage
over older sharpened calks that one
can usually climb and walk on ladders
and decks of heavy machinery such as
cranes and loader trucks. Also, in con-
trast to some of the earlier strap-on
calks, Stabilicers are not clumsy to
walk in. These grippers, in four sizes
at $49, are available at Tamarack Log
Building Tools: 763-783-9773.
SAFETY GEAR
Continued from page 9
SAFETY GEAR
Continued on page 12
Log Building NEWS
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 12
Professional photographs sought
The ILBA is seeking professionally shot photos of
work for use in ILBA promotional materials.
Photos should represent workmanship that
reflects the ILBA log building standards.
Materials will be used to promote the entire
membership, so no company names will be
identified on the photographs.
Contact Cathy or Ann
at 800-532-2900
for more details.
There have been no chainsaw
accidents or injuries on our program,
but there may exist, among log
builders in general, a small potential
for upper-body injuries, perhaps from
an improperly held saw or from the
sander/grinders that are now in com-
mon use by most of us for smoothing
knots, scarfs and log ends. About 10
years ago, we persuaded a manufac-
turer of chainsaw chaps to create
several prototypes of an all-weather
chainsaw-protective shirt. We settled
on an orange polyester pullover
garment with six layers of Engtex-
SwedePro, which, if contacted by a
chainsaw, would instantly tangle and
jam the chain and sprockets, prevent-
ing, or at least mitigating, injury to the
wearer. This, of course, is the way
most chaps are supposed to work
with chainsaws.
Although we do not allow the
Lancelot discs (or other brands) at
our facility, some builders elsewhere
do make good use of the chainsaw-
toothed discs (on 4-5 inch angle
grinders) for finishing notches and lat-
erals. I would suspect that the safety
shirt, along with sturdy leather gloves,
might effectively protect against a slip
of this tool. But that will remain mere
conjecture on our worksite.
Last year the manufacturer of the
shirt was kind enough to create a
second version for us, which, sewn of
blue denim, is more comfortable in
warm weather. Rather than a pullover,
the front is buttoned. Again, several
prototypes were tested by our stu-
dents for comfort but not for cuts.
Like the earlier model, the abdomen,
chest, shoulders, and arms are fully
covered, while the back is unprotect-
ed and vented. The shirts are meant
for both men and women and come
in several sizes. The polyester
pullovers are $65 and the front-
opening blue denims sell for $75 at
Tamarack. Like most contemporary
chaps, the shirts are quite washable
and durable. Large pockets for
telephone or pencils are standard.
As in war and some sports, adding
layers of protection over the body
reduces the possibility for injury
should the unforeseen occur. Proper
attitudes and safety procedures can
help as well. An example of compre-
hensive worksite safety rules are at
www.schooloflogbuilding.com/safety.htm.
Finally, it is important to stress that
while manufacturers or retailers do
not warrant that their products will
prevent cuts, falls, or other accidents,
use of safety gear will probably make
a mishap considerably less serious
than it would otherwise have been.
Ron Brodigan is the founder of the
Great Lakes School of Log Building in
Isabella, Minnesota.
SAFETY GEAR
Continued from page 11
13 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
Log Building NEWS
Stairs:
Goin
g
t
o
a
n
other level
INTRICATE Just one example of Gary Espes work on a home
in which the owners let him push the envelope of creativity. (Gary
Espe photo)
Youre in for a real treat if
you attend the ILBA annual
general meeting in Aylmer in
April. Among the talented and
dedicated workshop and semi-
nar presenters, you will have
the opportunity to learn some
of the artistic techniques in
stair and railing design
employed by Gary Espe and
Jean Rodrigue.
Not only will you learn how
to make a simple jig which will
enable you to create a set of
straight log stairs with your
scribe in just one day.You will
also learn more about spiral
and quarter-round stairs.
According to Espe, the need
to get from one level to
another has been addressed by
many methods. Ramps take up
a lot of space, ladders can be
awkward, escalators, eleva-
tors,spring boards, catapults
and rockets are usually imprac-
tical. Levitation is a wonderful
solution but not available to
most of us. So I guess we are
left with the most common
mode of transporting beings
from one level to another- the
stairs. To build stairs from
some what bulky materials
impose a challenge. We often
have the second floor migrat-
ing towards the first floor (as
in settling) now you have a
challenge with a dynamic
nature. It is looking more and
more like a living beast, but
instead of battling the beast
make peace with it.
ANOTHER LEVEL
Continued on page 14
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 14
Log Building NEWS
ANOTHER LEVEL
Continued from page 13
The balusters on the balustrade to the left were formed
by Mother Nature, adding an eye-catching element to this
staircase. At top, each of the steps has been carved, creating
functional art. (Gary Espe photos)
Understand its personality,
bring out some character,
make it part of the structure.
Now we are stepping into the
realm of functional art.
I will show you my process
of doing this. It's no longer
just rise and run, it is
approaching levitation.
Prepare to think outside the
"box.
Log builders building their own log home fact or fantasy?
15 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
Log Building NEWS
It is often said that people who want
to build a log home, usually take up to
15 years to actually do it. But what
about the log home builder and his
family who want to build their own
dream home? Does it get done any
quicker? Heres one familys saga.
By Linda Bourdage
My husband, Lloyd Beckedorf,
started log building in 1978. We met
in 1986 and since then we have been
talking about building our own log
home.Yeah, right!
When buying a conventional home
in the city, you usually do not have
much to say about the land its on. A
log home, however, starts with the
land and usually that piece of land is
in the country. And, depending on
where you live, that piece of land can
be very expensive as much as that
house in the city, or more. I think the
dream we might all share is to be
mortgage-free or at least as much
paid off in front as possible, so we
take it slowly.
We bought our first property in
Bragg Creek in 1990, a five acre
piece that Lloyds parents had
subdivided off that we got for a good
price. It did not feel perfect we
could not see ourselves living there
for the rest of our lives so we
sold it and bought another piece in
Priddis (near Bragg Creek). It was
only afterwards that we found the
perfect piece of property so we sold
again and bought 24 acres in Bragg
Creek with a great mountain view,
even a view of Moose Mountain.
Because we sold and bought so often,
we ended up with a much nicer and
bigger piece of land than we had ever
dreamed (land is the best investment
I can think of). Part of the price we
paid was the time it took to do all of
Cyr took time off of his busy Day-
Home schedule to come and inspect the
progress of his home with Linda.
BUILDING OUR LOG HOME
Continued on page 16
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#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 16
Log Building NEWS
this. Then it took us another three
years to pay it off.
In 1997 we started making plans to
start building our home, but our
leased construction yard land was
being considered for development so
we needed to find some property for
our business. Business always comes
first; it might become necessary to
move our yard and when you have 25
families to consider you have to make
it happen, no matter what. Land in
Cochrane, Alberta, (Canadas fastest-
growing city) is not cheap and
industrial-zoned land allowing outside
storage is almost nonexistent. We did
manage to find some and bought it,
knowing as we were doing so that it
was putting our own log home dream
into the far off future. In order to pay
for this industrial land we needed to
subdivide it, so we became
developers (Ill take log building any
day).
After five long years we are
coming to the end of our
development years and we are
holding onto a nice eight acre piece
we can move the log yard to if or
when the time comes.
Meanwhile, in January of 2000 we
had a baby boy, Cyr. I took one day
off from the office after the hospital
and was so bored staying home that
the next day Lloyd, Cyr and I were at
the office as a family taking care of
business as usual. Needless to say, it
was not Cyr that held us up on
BUILDING OUR LOG HOME
Continued from page 15
Log Builders think they can do it all so they like to buy backhoes and other equipment to
clear the land, its fun and less expensive but always takes way too long doing what you think
is easy.
Log Building NEWS
17 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
Bourdage/Beckedorf home elevations
Bourdage/Beckedorf home loft plan
Bourdage/Beckedorf home first floor plan
building our log home.
This should mean that after 18
years we could start building our log
home right? Guess again!
We have been designing our home
for the past 10 years. We even had
designs made up for the different
properties we have owned in the
past; you have to keep the dream alive
somehow.
Last year at the ILBA general
meeting in Park City, I bid on sample
plans rendered by Chris Clark of
Visual Motion and got it. He will have
it done soon so at least Ill have a 3D
picture of our home before it is even
built. This should give me that fix I will
need for the long wait ahead.
At long last, in July of 2002, Lloyd
and one of our craftsmen started our
log home in our construction yard.
This is good and bad Lloyd always
puts business first which can be a
distraction, even when I try to filter
the calls. He has mentioned that he
does not feel as young as he use to,
but he says it feels good to do the
work for a client that understands
and he doesnt have to explain
why he suggests a change from the
plans; he just does it. He says, With
earmuffs on, the ring of a saw is
sometimes far quieter than the ring of
phones.
We are using really large lodge
pole pine butt logs (a few over 40
inches in diameter), but we
sometimes are limited by their length
so we often have to move our
window locations to make everything
fit. This certainly would not fly if we
were not the clients.
Something else that is a little
unconventional: we started building
our house without finished drawings,
only preliminaries. Our clients
drawings kept getting pushed in front,
and rightfully so. The plus side of this
is that our plans, when done, will be
as built.
We had to put our home on hold
BUILDING OUR LOG HOME
Continued on page 18
Log Building NEWS
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 18
BUILDING OUR LOG HOME
Continued from page 17
BUILDING BACK-
WARDS Imagine building
a few trusses for a client
but they were not exactly
the size the plans called
for, (I know that would
never happen in any other
builders yard) well you
cant really burn something
so beautiful, so you take
them to your property and
make them into your porti-
co for the house you have
not even started building.
In the meantime you put a
truck tarp on it and use it
as a BBQ shelter.
PROGRESS Our house a few rounds
up, Aug 15th, 2002. (At right)
at the end of September (almost at
header stage), until we get the perfect
balance between work, wood and crews,
being our own salespeople, log selectors
and office staff. We cant do it any other
way. Lloyd and I were talking recently
about starting up again. It feels good
even if were only talking about it. If
everything goes well we will finish the
log shell this spring or summer, move it
onto the foundation and, with luck, get a
roof on and get it dried in before the
snow flies again. We know how much
money it takes to finish a log home
properly we say it to people
everyday, right before their big silence
so a realistic move-in time is two
years, even if it is not totally finished.
(And it probably wont be, but how
many really are?) Its not only the
shoemakers kids that have to wait.
Log Building NEWS
19 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
5
toos and
equpment td.
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ll0 Wcc|r|1]c 8!rcc!, 0c|!|am, fr|!|sh 0c|m|a, 0ana1a
601-5II-5599 Iar: 601-5II-06J&
|rcfcss|cna| Ic] Ncsc |cwcr Icc|s
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Extra large planer smooths out
big logs fast, with 30,000 cpm
and an extra-large chip chute
Large grips and lock-on button
for extended use
MAK-1806B
9rccvc 0!!cr w|!h frakc
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grooves to a predetermined depth setting
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MAK-3803A
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This handy tool will smooth, and notch
out logs to a perfect fit
Large two-handed design gives
you maximum control
of the cutter
MAK-1002BA
l6 ||cr!r|r 0ha|nsaw
13 Amp motor
Large front hand guard
Automatic chain oiler
MAK-UC4000
SPECIFICATIONS
Planing width 6-3/4
Planing depth
1/16
No load speed
15,000 RPM
Net weight
19.3 lbs (8.8 kg)
Shipping weight 33
lbs (15 kg)
SPECIFICATIONS
Planing width 4-3/8
Planing depth 5/32
No load speed
15,000 RPM Max curved radial cuts 11-3/16
Curved radius
300-320 mm
Net weight
12.1 lbs (5.5 kg)
SPECIFICATIONS
Max. cutter blade size (Dia. x Width)
4-3/4 x 1-13/16
Max. cutting depth 1-7/32
No load speed
9,000 RPM
Max curved radial cuts 11-3/16
Net weight 15 lbs (6.8 kg)
SPECIFICATIONS
Chain speed
2600 FPM
Overall length 34-1/2
Net weight 9
lbs (4.1 kg)
Chain pitch/Gauge 3/8 .050
l6
5
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Largest portable saw on
the market
With electric brake
MAK-5402A
SPECIFICATIONS
Max. Cutting at 90 6-3/16
45 4-3/16
No load speed
2,200 RPM
Net weight
30.8 lbs (14 kg)
Shipping weight
46.2 lbs (20.8 kg)
/9 n]|c 9r|n1cr/8an1cr
Accepts both 7 & 9 wheel
with correct guard
MAK-GA7910
SPECIFICATIONS
No load speed
6,000 RPM
Net weight 10
lbs (4.6 kg)
Shipping weight
12.0 lbs (5.5 kg)
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Visual stress grading of building logs and timbers
By Dr. Edwin Burke, Ph.D.
University of Montana School of Forestry
Visual grading for structural use of
building logs is a hot topic for ILBA
members these past
few years, as well as
for code officials all
over Canada and
the U.S. If the num-
ber of inquiries
from both code offi-
cials, log builders
and manufacturers,
and their clients is
any indication of
interest in log grading, this article
should help answer some of the general
and specific questions you might have
about log grading and what it means to
you.
First, lets start out with a little his-
tory. Back in the early 1970s, a group of
handcrafters and profiled-log manufac-
turers recognized the need to provide
the means for evaluating the structural
integrity of and assign engineering
design values to the logs used in their
structures walls, floor and roof sys-
tems. Especially problematic was the
codification of a simple and uniform
method of evaluating the strength of
the odd shape of a D log or tapered
handcrafters building log. The group
formed the Log Homes Council, one of
whose first mandates was to develop a
visual stress grading program suitable
for use with a wide variety of shapes,
sizes and species of structural logs and
timbers. After four years and nearly
$250,000 invested in engineering and
standard development, the blueprint for
log grading, ASTM Standard D3957,
Standard Methods for Establishing Stress
Grades for Structural Members Used in
Log Buildings
1
was completed and ready
for the industrys use.
The visual grading of logs for use in
wood structures has direct ties to the
theory and methods used for grading
structural lumber and timbers. Funda-
mentally, the strength of any particular
piece of wood is estimated by starting
with the green, clear-wood strength of
the 5th percentile value for that species
and adjusting it with a variety of cor-
rection factors applied because each
piece of wood is not clear, nor is it
used in the green condition, designed
for a service life of five minutes (time
of strength test) and without repetitive
cycling of a variety of loads in different
weather conditions. In short, the base
strength value is adjusted for real life
application.
Visual stress grading evaluates each
log and places it in a category that
allows a certain number, size and sever-
ity of strength reducing, yet normal, fea-
tures inherent in trees. These
categories, or grades, have an assigned
value for each strength property, such
as bending strength, compression paral-
Ed Burke
LOG GRADING
Continued on page 21
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TEL: 800-367-7068 FAX: 812-256-2344
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For more complete product information visit our web site
www.weatherall.com or call our toll- free number ( 800) 367- 706 8.
Distributor inquiries are welcome.
Log Building NEWS
21 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
R.C.M. CAD Design & Drafting Ltd.
Exclusively designing log homes
& Post and Beam since 1994
Bus: (604) 702-1188 Fax: (604) 702-0022
E-mail: rcmcaddesign@shawbiz.ca
Web Page: www.rcmcaddesign.com
Check out our Web page to learn about us & our product
STAVEBOLT

Manufactured in Canada by:

Building With Logs, Limited
Box 132 Midhurst, Ontario L0L 1X0
Tel: 705-721-1911 Fax 705-721-4798
Web site: www.stavebolt.com
U.S. distributor:
Schroeder Log Home Supply, Inc.
800-359-4803 or www.loghelp.com
The hidden tension connector with defined
performance values for log & timber framing.
lel to the grain, longitudinal shear or
tension parallel to the grain. The fea-
tures of the tree that are evaluated
include slope of grain, knot size, type
and location, presence and type of
decay, insect holes and engravings, ring
shake, splits, checks and taper. As with
most things in life, knowing what to
look for and what is allowed is the
largest part of the process.
Learning to visually stress grade logs
is a relatively simple, straight forward
process due to the quantifiable objec-
tive criteria used in the process. Unlike
the visual grading of sawn lumber for
appearance where features such as
pitch-soaking, torn grain, type of knot
and planer skip are assessed along with
the other strength related features,
structural grading of logs requires the
evaluation of only a few key features,
such as slope of grain, knot size, decay
type and amount, ring shake and splits.
The log grading program of the Log
Homes Council requires certification of
graders by written and practical testing.
One hundred multiple-choice, true-false
and written-answer questions covering
all aspects of the administration, grad-
ing, documentation and record-keeping
procedures of the member company
are asked, as well as definitions of the
log characteristics important in log
grading. A minimum score of 70 percent
is required to pass this portion of the
certification process. The practical
examination requires that the candidate
show 95 percent accuracy (only 5 per-
cent overgrades allowed) while grading
building logs. Following passing of the
written and practical tests, the candi-
date is approved for grading for a par-
ticipating Member Company of the Log
Grading Program.
Grading building logs and timbers
involves a systematic inspection of the
exterior faces of each log, taking into
account slope of grain, knot size, pres-
ence of decay, splits and ring shake. This
inspection is conducted during the
peeling and the position selection
process, and should pose no additional
time expenditure. Grade marks can be
as simple as a colored crayon mark on
an upper surface or log end because
the Member Company provides a Cer-
tificate of Inspection, listing the number
of each grade of logs and signed by a
Certified Grader, to the customer and
building code official. If, as is often the
case, the grade marks are not visible
during a code officials visit, the Certifi-
cate of Inspection serves as the defini-
tive record of grading.
The National Evaluation Service
accredits the log grading program,
assuring its acceptance throughout
North America and many countries
overseas. Performing bi-annual reviews
of the program, NES inspector-engi-
neers approve the grading rules and
audit the third-party inspection function
of the Grading Program. The third-party
inspections, performed by a certified
Quality Supervisory Agency (QSA),
involve observing grading procedures
and checking the accuracy of the Certi-
LOG GRADING
Continued from page 19
LOG GRADING
Continued on page 26
Log Building NEWS
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 22
Company Members
and contacts
659541BC*, Joe Mikulasik
Ackerman Handcrafted Log
Homes,
Skip & John Ackerman
American Building Systems,
Ben Estreicher
Architectural Institute of
British Columbia*, Michael
Burton-Brown MAIBC
Artifex Gmbh,
Mathias Ullmann
Atali Log Homes*,
Bob Burford
Baileys Inc.*, Kirk Fuller
BC Wood,
Bill Downing, CEO
Beaudette Consulting
Engineers, Inc,
Tom Beaudette
Beaver Creek Log Homes,
Robbin & Jules Obomsawin
Big Foot Hand Hewn Log
Homes Inc., Brian Leach
Bissonett Log Construction
Inc., Bob Matschiner
Blockhausbau Log Buildings,
Roger Porrenga
Blue Ox Logcrafters,
Roger Sherman
Brockman Engineering Inc.,
Stephen R. Brockman
Building With Logs, Ltd,
C.M. (Chuck) Peacock
C.M.H.C., Darrel R. Smith
Canadian Log Home Supply,
Kathy Haycock
Canadian Wood Council,
Catherine Lalonde
Canavest Builders Inc.*,
Terry Clayton
Chilliwack Mountain Log
Homes Ltd.,
Shelley A. Mohammed
Custom Log Homes Ltd.,
Howard Williamson
David Nevin Const Inc &
Whitefish Log Works,
David Nevin
Davidson Log & Timber
Artisans, Matt Davidson
Designing Change,
Tom Hahney, BS Engr.
Douglas Lukian Inc.,
Doug Lukian
Edgewood Log Structures,
Brian Schafer
EDR Ltd., Gary Pavlicek
Emseal Corporation,
Gieselle Baerveldt
Energreen Building Systems
Ltd., Scott Folk
Farrell Structures, LLC,
William L. Farrell
Forintek Canada Corp.*,
Dalibor Houdek
Frontier Builders Inc.,
Daniel Wait
Frye Custom Log Homes,
Inc, Ron Frye
Good Shepherd Wool
Insulation, Stan Potter
Great Lakes Logcrafters
Association, Kay Sellman
GRK Fasteners, Uli Walther
High Mountain Log Homes,
Brennan or Gerry Canuel
Home Field Advantage Ltd.*,
Donald L. Breimhurst
Husky Logwork,
Michael Pielorz
Jean Steinbrecher Architects,
Jean Steinbrecher, A.I.A.
Karma Industries Ltd.,
Don Rossman
Kootenay Lake Log
Structures Ltd., Ken Bredt
Koski Log Homes,
Jerry Koski
Leatherwood Log Homes
Ltd., Thomas Jackson
Les Entreprises Jocelyn
Tellier S.E.N.C., France
Cossette
Log & Timber Style magazine,
Tracy Ossian
Log Builders Association
New Zealand,
Justin & Adie Long
Log Building Industry
Association of BC,
Russ Dowdeswell
Log Home Design Ideas maga-
zine, Jerry Stoeckigt
Log Home Living,
Elaine Nosaka
Log Home Store Inc.,
Gary Pendergrass
Logmaster Log Homes,
Terry Dietzler
Magard Ventures Ltd.,
Maurice Gardy
Makita Canada, Inc.,
Sylvain Guenette
Maple Island Log Homes,
Eric Gordon
Mark Fritch Log Homes,
Mark Fritch
Merritt Contracting,
Gordon Merritt
Modern Log Homes Ltd.,
Derek Jenkins
Moose Mountain Log Homes
Inc., Lloyd Beckedorf
Mountain Logworks,
Molly & Brant Schreiber
Mountain States Custom Log
Works Corp., Ryan McBride
Natural Log Homes Ltd.,
Robert W. Chambers
Nortek Log Home Systems,
Scott A. Eden
North American Log
Crafters Ltd.,
Brian & Laurie Campbell
Ojibwa Log Homes,
Ralph (Hank) Petit
Old Style Log Works, Inc.,
Douglas Mikkelsen
Pacific Log Homes Ltd.,
Peter Bakker
Paradigm Builders, Ed Levin
Paradise Mountain Log
Homes, Inc.,
Tom A. Bouslaugh
Paul A. Meier Wilderness
Architecture, Inc,
Paul A. Meier
Pioneer Logs Ltd.,
David Christie
Provincial Timber Crafters,
Douglas Boyd
REB Properties*,
Richard E. Bunger
Rouck Bros. Sawmill Ltd.,
Earl Rouck
S.L. Anderson Company Inc.,
Steve L. Anderson
Sashco, Inc., Scott Stropko
Saver Systems, Roger Crane
Sitka Log Homes Inc.,
John Johnson
Southwest Log Homes, Inc.*,
David Barfield
Sperlich Log Construction
Inc, Peter Sperlich
Sun Valley Log Homes,
Bob Parker
Swiss Mountain Log Homes,
Philippe G. Rerat
Tapawingo Log Homes*,
Chris Rawling
Telemark Log Building Inc.,
Kurt S. Overholt
The Continental Products
Company*,
Michael McArthur
The Finnish Handcrafters
Association, Raimo Tikkanen
The Log Connection*,
Steve Hancock
The Sansin Corporation,
Sjoerd Bos
The Wooden House Co.,
John Nininger
Thomas Wood Log Homes
Inc., Thomas Wood
Timber Framers Guild,
Joel McCarty/ Will Beemer
Timber Wolf Handcrafted
Log Homes Inc.,
Brian Kihnke
Top Notch Log Builders, Inc.,
Chris & Arthur Mannix
Tora S.A.Log Homes and
Wooden Structures,
Lupercio Barros Lima
Unique Timber Corp.,
Martin Kleinhenz
USDA Forest Service*,
Shelley Bishop
Vermont Solitude Inc.,
Jay Stratton
Westwood Custom
Windows & Doors,
Susan Recksiedler
Wiens Log Homes Inc.,
Perry Wiens
Wildcat Log Homes,
Norm Gagnon
Employee Members
Jennifer Anthony
Will Beemer
Linda Bourdage
Richard E. Bunger*
Ryan Carey
Karen Connor
Dave Gardner
Doug Horn*
Mel Irmen*
Taylor Lukian*
John McHugh
Jeffrey Patterson
Martha Patterson
Tosha Rodriguez
Troy Smiley
Jeremiah Wiens
Thomas R. Williams
Individual Members
Stuart Adrian
Kai Allen
Kevin Allen
Franz Ambichl
Martin Bergeron
Tom Blackburn
Tiny Blomquist*
Lana Branum
Michael Bromley*
Dr. Edwin Burke
William J. Carter
John B. Caswell*
Jim Christensen
Joe Clement
John Cooper
Richard Cormier*
Christopher Coughlin
Tom Dart*
Joel Dick
Ricci Durfeld
George Fuller
Bill Glude
Peter Gott
David Gray
Ken Guest
Rick Hall
Louis A. Hansen
Deane Hillbrand
Annie Hopper*
Thierry Houdart
Dr. Dalibor Houdek
Michel Hurtubise
Vic Janzen
Darrell Jensen
Warren Johnson
Russell Joseph*
Jeff Kaiser
Walter Keller*
R.G. Kenel
William Koehler*
Charly Koehler
Katharina Koelbel
Steve Kraines*
James W. Larimer
Ed Larson
Ron Lepard*
David Linner
Rob Lipps*
Jeffrey C. Long*
Mike Loy
B. Allan Mackie
Tim Mangni
L. D. (Doc) McKay
Anthony (Tony) Moore*
Graeme Mould
Mark J. Mueller PE
Ted Murray, Architect
Mike Oki
Hannes Oppelmayer
Daniel Paris*
Jeff Parish
Harold Polster
Frank A. Pompa, Jr.*
Steven Racer
Peter Reid
Homer Rogers
Gordon Santerno
Duane Sellman
Neil Shucha
Richard Smedbol*
Milan Smeh
Igor Sochalin*
Kerry Staehler
Eugene Stoykov*
Joe Strama
Nabil Taha
Kym Terry*
Alan Thomas*
David Ursin
Robert Vacchino
Jean-Guy Villemaire*
Jerry Wait
Dean Warkentin
Allan Wiens
Gary G. Williams*
Uwe Ziegler
*denotes new members
2003 ILBA Membership: Strong and growing stronger
Log Building NEWS
23 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
ILBA
COMMITTEE REPORTS
STANDARDS & LOG GRADING
CONFERENCES
MEMBERSHIP & PUBLICATIONS
EDUCATION & TRAINING
FUNDRAISING
PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & WEB SITE
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
CERTIFICATION
Iormo Indusfries, Lfd.
SpecioIi;ing in 8uiIding Logs
0reen or dry
Whife spruce & LodgepoIe
Truck or roiI orronged fo Conodo & fhe US
Don & Deb Possmon
780-o74-o3Zb
drossmonphrd.ob.co
Sheep Wool Insulation
For Log Homes
in Rope, Batts or
Loose-Fill
Ph/Fax: 403-845-6705
e-mail: swpotter@teluspnet.net
www.GoodShepherdWool.com
Call STAN for a Free-Sample
Now in Europe, Africa, South America, 31 states & 11 Prov./Terr.
Building Healthy Log Homes Naturally!
Membership Committee
Hello to all from the Membership
Committee. What an incredible response
to our membership
enrollment this year.
As of end of January
2003 we already had
almost 200 members
sign up; a record-
breaking pace.
It seems that new
and renewing mem-
bers are continuing
to recognize the
value of joining the ILBA. As you read in
the other committee reports, you will see
that the ILBA is quite active in follow-
ing its mandate of education, training,
research and dissemination of information
to its members and the public. These new
projects and incentives, along with addi-
tional newsletters also increase our costs,
which has been reflected in this years
membership fees.
Interest in membership in the ILBA
from the European continent is also
growing. Robrt Savignac, Executive
Director, of the ILBA, has played a promi-
nent role in the development of the rela-
tionships abroad. Thanks to Robrt for all
of his hard work and dedication!
ILBA Membership cards will be issued
with renewal packages. With this card,
you can take advantage of discounts and
perks from our industry suppliers as they
are listed in the LBN. Lets support the
suppliers that support us! This program is
in its initial stages and new initiatives will
be announced with each LBN, as well as
on the members section of our Web site.
The office has had some questions
regarding the currency in which dues are
owed as they were displayed in only one
currency this year. In an effort to ensure
that equal rates were charged to all, we
needed to work with one currency and
the current exchange rates. This process
was to benefit you, the member and
ensure that everyone is paying the same
price thank you for your understanding
and patience with this new process!
If you know of anyone that might be
interested in becoming a member of the
ILBA, please let our office staff know and
they will contact that individual or com-
pany and send them a membership appli-
cation.
We look forward to seeing you at the
ILBA conference in Aylmer. One of the
greatest joys of attending a conference is
meeting new people and kindling new
friendships. Enjoy the time to make new
friends and renew old relationships.
Please also seek out the ILBA Board
Members and get to know them, for they
Jeff Patterson
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Continued on page 25
Log Building NEWS
CONFERENCE
Continued from Cover
Things to do in and around
Aylmer and Ottawa
Historic and natural sites await you
in beautiful Aylmer, Quebec, and the
surrounding area when you attend
the 30th annual ILBA annual general
meeting.
At the Chateau Cartier, enjoy
swimming, tennis, golf, health spa,
fitness center and more. Here are
just a few other areas of interest:
Parliament Hill
Take a walking tour of Canada's
most recognizable heritage site. This
is where Senators and Members of
Parliament debate and go about the
country's business.Watch the
Changing of the
Guard.
202-40 Elgin
Street, Ottawa
800-465-1867
www.capcan.ca
National Gallery of Canada
Dating back to 1880, this visual arts
museum holds in
trust a collection
of European and
Canadian paintings,
sculptures, prints,
drawings and
photos.
380 Sussex Drive,
Ottawa
613-990-1985
http://national.gallery.ca
Canadian Museum of
Civilization
See how far weve come as depict-
ed in a fascinating array of displays
100 Laurier
Street
Gatineau,
Quebec
800-555-5621
www.civilization.ca
The Chteau
Cartier is located
just 20 km from
Ottawa
International
Airport, 120 km
from Mirabel
Airport Montreal
and just minutes
from downtown
Ottawa in
Aylmer, Qubec.
See more at
www.chateau-
cartier.com
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 24
and have a lot of fun doing so! Prizes
include saws and tools from major
sponsors, and of course the bragging
rights abound! Since last year, the ILBA
has gladly involved the Canadian
Logger Sports Association in this
competitive event, and we shall
reciprocate with them in
demonstrating our particular skill and
dexterity with axe and chainsaw at
their events. This, of course, draws
stronger sponsor recognition and
public attention. Who knows how
soon log notching will be part of a
Sports Network event on national and
international TV? Whats next? Beer
commercials!
At the heart of all our conferences
and gatherings is what people really
appreciate each time we get together,
the sharing. Its very difficult to put
into a conference schedule the benefits
beyond new bits of information
gleaned at a presentation or
workshop. Some folks call it
networking; others call it friendship
and support. Conferences are a
meeting place where you can put a
name to a face, speak to someone
without hitting send, and find out just
how much in common there can be in
one another.
Individual effort when well directed
can accomplish much, but the greatest
good must necessarily come from the
combined efforts of many men. Individual
effort may be turned to individual needs,
but combined effort should be dedicated
to the service of mankind. The power of
combined effort knows not limitation.
Anonymous.
It is indeed the gathering of a
collective, dedicated to goals and
aspirations of our association that will
make the changes necessary to keep
ahead of the times, with a keen eye on
the past.
Dont forget to bring your kilts!
Keep your saws sharp. See you there!
Sponsors show
their support
This years conference promises to
be another great success thanks in
part to the great support of our
sponsors. Pledging support as of LBN
publication time are:
Karma Industries Ltd.
Graphisoft/GSCNE
GRK Fasteners
Husqvarna/Jonsered
Log & Timber Style magazine
The Sansin Corporation
Makita Canada Inc.
Log Home Living magazine
Log Home Design Ideas magazine
Be sure to stop by their booths in
Aylmer this coming April.
Log Building NEWS
25 Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
are your representatives for the Associa-
tion.
Thanks to all for getting membership
applications in so quickly!
Certification Committee
Based on feedback we are receiving
from the membership, we will move for-
ward cautiously and
according to our policy,
will seek approval from
the membership before
implementing any new
initiatives.
We also want to
improve the Pledge
program and are
reviewing it as well.
Last year, we advertised
the Pledge program in some industry
publications. The budget for advertising
the Pledge Program in industry magazines
is being reviewed, and the outcome is
dependent on the income from this years
annual fees. Last year, we didnt receive as
much in pledge fees as we paid out in
advertising. We have chosen not to raise
the fees this year and weve mandated
that it must be a self sustaining program.
Its still early in the year and members
have just begun to renew so were opti-
mistic the program will meet and even
exceed last years performance.
There are several benefits of Pledge
Program both to the ILBA and to partici-
pating Pledged members. But I think it
would be fair to say that one of the
major benefits is in advertising that stan-
dards exist. The pledge fees go directly to
advertising costs and the advertising is all
about the Standards. Pledge fees collected
that exceed the advertising expenses will
be used to create an endowment to be
used for further developing the Standards
along with Research and Development. As
a Pledged member you are in fact assist-
ing in the further development and pro-
motion of the Standards.
The Standards have been a defining
document for the Association and the
building Industry as a whole. It serves to
educate consumers and is a minimum
standard to guide designers, builders and
buyers of log homes. Theres nothing else
out there thats comparable and so is a
very important document. Like it or not,
its referred to with increasing regularity.
It will be the reference document when
log building is referred to in the new ICC
the U.S. initiative to standardize the
Building Codes currently in use there.
The Standards are also a wonderful
educational document potential
buyers read it and should begin to ask
questions. Builders who have only recent-
ly become aware of them will hopefully
use the Standards to become better
builders. Builders who are aware of them,
are guided by them and tell their clients
and design professionals about them, are
more likely to build a better log struc-
ture. I dont see a downside to promoting
the standards.
The log building industry needs your
support for the Pledge program to move
forward I encourage you to call the
office and sign up or renew your partici-
pation. We also invite you participate in
this committee or others within the
ILBA, this is your association and we need
you to get involved.
Committee Reports
Continued from Page 23
Dave Gardner
Membership Pays
ILBA membership has its advantages!
Have your membership card handy
and call the toll-free number below.
FREE
Current ILBA Company
Members can now receive a
FREE 1-year subscription
to Log Home Living!
Call Christine Kepic at
800-826-3893 ext. 261 to
register your company. No
coupon necessary, just have
your valid ILBA Membership
Card with number handy
when you call.
Offer expires 12/31/03
Limit one subscription per company.
Membership Pays
For members only!
Receive 50% off a one-year
subscription.
50% off
A one-year subscription to Log
& Timber Style magazine
regular price $33.97USD;
members pay just $17.97USD.
To start your subscription,
please call 888-645-7600,
ext. 212 or 303-662-5212.
Your valid ILBA member
number and credit card are
required with your order.
Offer expires 04/30/03
Limit one subscription per member.
Membership Pays
It pays to be a member of the ILBA!
Use the coupon below to take
advantage of just one of the many
membership benefits.
SAVE
The Sansin Corporation
15% off Manufacturers
Suggested Retail Price*
Valid ILBA Membership
Card must be presented
with this coupon at time
of purchase.
*at participating dealers
Log Building NEWS
#41 Jan./Feb. 2003 26
Accutech Innovations Inc., manufacturer of the
Chain Saw Micro Mill, has expanded operations and
moved. Please update your records with the new address.
816 Falcon Blvd., Burlington, ON, Canada L7T 3B3. Phone:
905-631-1149. Fax: 905-631-9734. Email: dz@accutechin-
novations.com. WATCH FOR OUR NEW PRODUCTS
AND ACCESSORIES. Tool case for Chain Saw Micro Mill
90" aluminum extrusion to replace the 2"x 6" for increased
precision.Watch for the launch of our new chain saw jig at
the ILBA Conference in April 2003. Were excited!
LYRA PENCILS and MARKERS have arrived in
Canada. Its about time we have a HIGH QUALITY PEN-
CIL for writing on everything from glass to wet wood.
Carpenter pencil: 10-Inch long, dry & wet. Contact
Northwood Log Homes, Phone: 867-872-4261; Fax: 867-
872-4645; email: logdognwt@hotmail.com
For the Love of Working with Wood Training Log
Builders for tomorrow See them off to a great start with
our Entry-Level Trade Program Del Radomskes Okanagan
School of Log Building International. Phone: 250-765-5166
Email: radloghomes_school@telus.net
LOG BUILDING TOOLS - STARRETT & MACKIE
scribers; heavy duty drawknives up to 30"; peeling spuds;
chopping & finishing axes; broadaxes; adzes; GRANSFORS
axes; ENGLISH slicks; ROBERT SORBY, HENRY TAYLOR,
FOOTPRINT & PHEIL chisels and gouges; JAPANESE
slicks, chisels, saws, ink lines & flex squares; hand-forged
Flarens, shovel gouges, flat & scarf slicks, drawknives &
draw-gouges; BARR Specialty Tools; peavies; cant hooks;
lifting tongs; log dogs & cleats; log horses; water stones;
Diamond whetstones; NORTHWEST calipers, tenon cut-
ters & long auger bits; ship augers; chainsaw mills &
attachments; MAKITA & MAFELL planers, saws & chain
mortisers; MACKIE log building books & videos. FREE 32-
page catalogue, MAGARD VENTURES LTD, 8365
Domagala Road, Prince George, B.C., Canada V2K 5R1;
Phone: 250-962-9057; Fax: 250-962-9157Maurice
Gardy
The Black Rapids Timber Framing School will be
hosting eight, seven-day Timber Framing workshops in the
heart of the Alaska Range. Formal sessions run all summer
long and are limited to eight students. Tuition of $995
includes instruction, food and lodging. (There are a few stu-
dent openings for a preliminary, bare-bones shake-down
session of three days at $120 per daylunch onlyfocusing
on floor construction in mid-May.) Dates are as follows:
Preliminary Session: May 16 - 18; Session #1: June 2 - 8;
Session #2: June 12 - 18; Session #3: June 23 - 29; Session
#4: July 3 - 9; Session #5: July 14 - 20; Session #6: July 24 -
30; Session #7: August 4 - 10; Session #8: August 14 - 20.
C l a s s i f i e d A d s
fied Graders, enforcing the 5 percent overgrade limit. If more
than 5 percent of the pieces are overgraded, the Certified
Grader will be rechecked within a month. Further overgrad-
ing will require another check-grade within seven days. Should
the grader fail that grading session, he or she will be suspend-
ed, undergo further training and must pass another practical
examination with a minimum score of 95 percent before being
reinstated. It is a rare occurrence, however, and due to the
consistent monitoring and training provided by the QSAs, the
skill and integrity of the Programs graders has never been
problematic. Handcrafters are a picky bunch, and find that logs
with structural problems are usually the same logs whose
other obnoxious characteristics find them delegated to the
firewood and temporary bracing pile.
Visual log grading is a well-regulated, easily learned and nec-
essary part of the log building industry. Individual companies
have their crafters trained to grade at two-day seminars that
can be held in their area or at annual ILBA meetings. Coming
away with a notebook of new information about wood and a
certification for structural grading of building logs is a goal
worth considering.
1
American Society for Testing and Materials. 1993a. Standard
Methods for Establishing Stress Grades for Structural Members
Used in Log Buildings. Standard D3957-90. Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania.
THE PAT WOLFE
LOG BUILDING SCHOOL
Pat Wolfe has 25+ years experience teaching 1000s of students
Choose from 1-, 4-, or 10-week courses
Hands-on learning
Courses in spring & fall
Also available: Pat Wolfe Log Scriber-$70
613-256-0631
RR2 Lanark, Ontario Canada K0G 1K0
Email: pwolfe@istar.ca www.igs.net/~pwolfe/
LOG GRADING
Continued from Page 21
Log Building NEWS
27
How to get Log Building News
Log Building News is mailed to all ILBA members. Articles, photos and
letters are welcomed. Contact the ILBA office for the LBN 42 deadline.
If you submit articles in Microsoft Word

on CD or by email, send
them directly to the ILBA office.
Back issues of Log Building News are available from the Association
office. Call 800-532-2900 to order.
Copyright notice
Log Building News is copyrighted in Canada and the United States.
Express written permission is required from the ILBA and, in some cases,
from the author, before any article or photo can be photocopied, dis-
tributed or republished. Contact the ILBA office for details.
Disclaimer
The views and information expressed in articles and ads appearing in
Log Building News are those of the authors of those articles and ads. The
International Log Builders Association assumes no responsibility for the
accuracy of the information contained herein and does not edit or inves-
tigate any article or ad for that purpose.
Log Building Standards
The ILBA Log Building Standards, the building code for handcrafted,
scribe-fit log homes are available online at the ILBA Web site,
www.logassociation.org and can be downloaded to your computer at no
charge as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.
Advertising
The Log Building News welcomes advertisers. Please contact the ILBA
office for deadlines.
Advertisers can send files in QuarkXpress format (Mac preferred, but
PC is acceptable) with the appropriate fonts (screen and printer), images,
and graphics included. All images should be scanned at 266 or higher and
in an EPS or TIF format. Ads can also be sent as PhotoShop (6.0 or
below) or Illustrator (9.0 and below) EPS files or as 300 dpi greyscale
TIFs. Submissions can be made on Zip disk, CD-ROM, floppy disk or via
email. Compressed .sit, .zip or .sea files are acceptable.
Editorial submissions can be made in MicroSoft Word, Works,
Simpletext, PDF, or QuarkXpress formats and can be sent as above. Any
line drawings should be sent in TIF format scanned at 1200 dpi or as orig-
inal art for scanning.
Contact the ILBA for other digital file information by email at
cathy@logassociation.org.
Log Building News is a great way to contact the best log home builders.
The ILBA is the largest group of builders of handcrafted log homes in the
world our members made well over $250 million of logwork last year.
Please contact the office at 800-532-2900 for an advertising specifica-
tion sheet and ad rates.
Joining the ILBA
Membership in the International Log Builders
Association is open to any interested person. Members
get one year of Log Building News, membership certificate,
voting privileges, discounted conference registration, a
listing in the Annual Directory, a copy of the Association
Constitution and Bylaws, use of computerized help want-
ed and work wanted ads, and all ILBA mailings and
notices. Company memberships have additional benefits.
Company members can consider becoming Certified &
Pledged Builders. The ILBA accepts Visa or MasterCard.
For more information on dues and member benefits,
please call the ILBA office at 800-532-2900.
President
Dave Gardner
Ph: 250-547-2400
Fax: 250-547-8888
djg@uniquetimber.com
Vice-President
Dalibor Houdek, PH.D.
Ph: 780-413-9031
Fax: 780-413-9032
dalibor@edm.forintek.ca
Treasurer
Jeffrey J. Patterson
Ph: 208-676-0422
Fax: 208-676-9129
jeff@edgewoodlog.com
Secretary
Mark Fritch
Ph: 503-668-7130
Fax: 503-668-3285
mfritch@loghomz.com
Cathy Hansen, Executive Director
cathy@logassociation.org
Robrt Savignac, Executive Director
robert@logassociation.org
Ann Miks, Administrative Assistant
ann@logassociation.org
International Log Builders Association
P.O. Box 775
Lumby, British Columbia
V0E 2G0 Canada
800-532-2900 toll-free
250-547-8776 phone
250-547-8775 fax
www.logassociation.org
2003 ILBA officers
Directors
Dr. Edwin Burke, PH. D
Ph: 406-251-6189
eburke@bigsky.net
Katharina Koelbel
Ph: 011499791501339
katharina.koelbel@klafs.de
Elaine Nosaka
Ph: 703-227-5275
enosaka@loghomeliving.com
Kurt Overholt
Ph: 406-821-4602
logcrafter@earthlink.net
Jeffrey Patterson
Ph: 208-676-0422
jeff@edgewoodlog.com
Jan./Feb. 2003 #41
For more information