Arnold, CA…According to a log weight estimator online this log came in at over a ton. Our goal today was merely to get it on the ground safely and without breaking any equipment or human limbs. To be honest I am glad that this day is over. The log we moved was perched precariously at the top of our small log pile. It was leaning against an oak tree and a portion of it had started to move off the backside.

Some days in our build log will be fun to watch and hopefully make building that cabin in the woods seem like a romantic thing to do. This day was not one of those.

But, it is on the ground and it should yield enough floorboards to finish the floors on the Chainsaw Cabin.

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.

In 1854 is cost the tiny home pioneer $28.13 to build his modest abode.  With inflation that comes in at $962.80 in todays shrinking dollars.  That is our goal to build our small structure with doors, windows and roofing for less adjusting for inflation than Henry did many years ago.

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.

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