We had a very large class, and these guys did an excellent job. There are quite alot of interruptions when you have a group of that size( I think we had more than 40 attend) and everyone received attention. My favorite response to some of the suggestions " sure, you can do that but we don't recommend it.."
So many builders I know and have worked with try to make this log building process more complicated than it needs to be. After I have lain awake worrying about what all these others have said or criticised, I go back to my notes from the class and then to the forum and I gain back the certainty that this is the way to go! Things like chinking or log lifting seem to be what gets them going around here! It is pretty funny. One guy said to me that I reallly need to get all that nasty cambium layer off because nothing will penetrate it! not stain or insect repellent or anything.........go figure

good luck and remember that what goes on at the left coast isn't the same as that which goes on at the right coast

I grew up in the construction trades and was a masonry contractor for many years, but did a little of everything as most in the trades get a chance to do. As you said everything made sense and was sound. I have always been a do it yourself type guy (it runs in the familiy) and the class was like coming home!

Its some of the best money I have ever spent where I really felt I got an excellent return on investment.You won't regret it. How could you go wrong with a double your money back guaruntee? And with your background you probably have most of the tools you need already.

Blayne

Hi Cobiyero,

I took the class from Skip, and sat in on part of a class a few
weeks ago. Both were excellent. Like you, I entered into
this with a background in construction. The good news is that
I have experience and my eyes were wide open. The bad news
is that people with our background have preconceptions. This
causes people like us to re-invent the wheel. We've done it all
before, know how it "should" be done, put our head down, and
charge into it the wrong way. Just listen, take notes, and ask
questions after the day is over. Chances are most of your
questions will be answered in class. As I mentioned before, the
very biggest mistake is to reinvent the wheel. Follow every
suggestion, and build exactly as taught. The dollars and headaches
will be kept to a minimum if you listen, take notes, and then build
as taught.

Best to take the class, and pretent you know nothing about the
construction industry. We are geared to be fast, effecient, follow
the pattern, and spend the money. This is different. I'm just
starting my project now. I've built a number of homes in the past
but a home from real logs is very different. Mostly in the attitude.
It is fun, relaxing, and I can keep up a nice construction pace and
still build for cash.
One note about cost...
One member can build a house for $25,000 and the next member
will build the same house for $200,000. Attitude, location, and
connections are very important. Personally, I just refuse to spend
money if I really don't need to and a life time of that attitude has
caused me to have most everything I own at a decent to very nice
discount. Guitars, racing bicycles, jewelry, homes, vehicles, my
stash of nice wood.... I just allow that attitude to guide my spending.
It's a good mindset when building a house from logs, and that mind-
set appears to be reinforced in the class.

-Rick