Dovetail jig for log cabin notches

Up until now, I have been marking out the logs and then carving the notches with chainsaw/hatchet and chisel. I got the idea to build a jig that would guide the saw bar to make the job a lot easier and faster.

The notches I have been using on this cabin and the one I built in Alabama are called half dovetail. They interlock with no need for nails and any water that may get to the notch drains outward to the outside face.

To cut the notches now, I just have to mark a line down the center of the log and mark the length. Then I attach the jigs with some screws and am ready to go. The chainsaw bar has a couple of small blocks of wood attached to prevent the chain from touching the jig.

New Addition

This week we purchased this camper. It is not as big as my Uncle Richard and Aunt Bobbie's, but we are just starting out.

It's a 19' long 2007 model. I think we got a pretty good deal since it is 3 years old. It seems to be in good shape. It isn't grizzly proof but it will slow them down some.

Elk from last fall

I thought I would put up some pictures of a big bull that crossed one of the construction projects last year right in front of me. The picture may look doctored but it isn't!