Arnold, CA…Chainsaw Cabin Day Five wasn’t one for the history books. It barely rates a mention but we did get some done. With the floor joists in now it is time to focus our attention on that pile of logs in the backyard. We need to mill not only flooring but the rest of the wall boards as well.

It was a long work day and I wasn’t able to step away from my news day job until almost 11pm. Last week I milled the first few wall boards from an almost 2ft diameter log on top of the pile. I couldn’t even move it with my little come-along so I had to cut it in half.

The problem was that it fell so I couldn’t get a chain around it to pull it down without jacking up the log. So for Day Five my efforts consisted in jacking up the log, getting the chain around it and in the end figuring out I have to go get another logging chain before I can actually pull it off the pile.

But getting it ready to pull off the pile was the main task. Getting it off the pile ready to mill is just process…and yes I basically type for a living in the news business. So my skillset, lacking though it is, is basically being willing to try this when I really have no idea what I am doing.

About The Chainsaw Cabin
The Chainsaw Cabin is our first building, a small 120 square feet shed/cabin on Hewn Hill. All lumber will be hand milled with a small inexpensive electric chainsaw. This is to see if anyone can build a small functional building with literally tools you can find at a garage sale and our only costs will be roofing, fasteners & glass for windows.

Henry David Thoreau’s cabin was only 10 x 15 and not much bigger than you can legally build today without a permit in most counties. For the Chainsaw cabin while it will only be 10 x 12 it will have a sleeping/storage loft. So if you are staying for a night or two at least you will have separate work, living & sleep areas.

We are starting with outbuildings to get the property functional. Places to store tools, a solar shed & a place to sleep if need be. This is phase one and we hope to get that done this year starting with the Chainsaw Cabin then learning how to build a log structure on our next shed.

Next year, Lord willing we will start on our main two story, traditional log cabin built with logs from the property and probably a few other locally sourced ones as well.

About hewn.co
At Hewn we are going take you on a journey to see if it is still possible to build a functional, small homestead that anyone, even someone making minimum wage can build and own. We are going to try this in California no less. Join us as we attempt to build an off grid, solar powered, rustic, pioneer style homestead.