Log Construction Manual By Robert W. Chambers

"Simply the best how-to book on handcrafted log building and scribe-fit construction. "

Here's what others are saying :

"Fabulous book! After reading your book I must say I have not read a log home book that comes even close to having the technical details your book offers, and believe me I've read a bunch."
Bruce Barkley

"Fantastic! In one book Chambers casts light into some of the darkest corners of log building. Buy it. Read it."
Review by Bill Olsen in Log Building News

"Robert Chambers' new book is an indispensible guide for those who are going to build a log home . . . by perhaps the leading log building instructor in North America."
Review in Log Home Living Magazine

"If you are serious about building your own handcrafted log home, read this detailed, well-illustrated book . . . . By far the most comprehensive treatment on settling and ways to accommodate it is found in Robert Chambers Log Construction Manual."
Dan Chiras, The Natural House

• Energy: What is the energy efficiency of a log home? Do logs homes waste trees? What gaskets work best? Can you control checking?
• Building log walls: scribing and notching, professional tricks of the trade, keeping walls level, door headers, plate logs, floor joists.
• Trees: finding, choosing, and buying good building logs -- how much bow is okay?, what about taper? dry or green? spiral grain? pine or spruce? Loads of practical help choosing and finding trees.
• Cutting notches and grooves: learn to cut the way the pro's do it -- it's safer and faster.
• Sill log layout: getting the building started right. Lay out any floorplan, including hexagons, and even buildings with an odd-number of walls. The most difficult layouts made easy! Available in NO other book, magazine or video!
• Selecting the next log: which log should you use next to stay out of notching trouble? My Selection System is foolproof, easy to use, and works with virtually ALL logs. Available in NO other book, magazine or video!
• Your project: financing, organizing the work, getting the permits, and more.
• Saving Money: Lots of concrete ideas for saving you money on your home project!
• Roof systems: plate logs, how to lay out and build posts and purlins, cut ridge poles-- the best step-by-step instructions anywhere!
• Log Trusses made from full-round logs: the only step by step instructions available anywhere. Available in NO other book, magazine or video!
• Log valley rafters: the only instructions in print on how to lay out and cut backing angles in logs! Available in NO other book, magazine or video!
• Tools: where to buy and what to get, including tool reviews by brand name -- what works and what doesn't. No holds barred reviews! Practical help making decisions.
• Books and magazines: recommendations and reviews on where to get more information.
• Designers and engineers: design help for your home, with names and phone numbers of log-saavy engineers, architects, and designers.
• Workshops: how and where to get hands-on training.
• Log Building Standards: the building code for handcrafted log homes.
• Index : makes it easy to find what you're looking for
• And more . . . including new COLOR photos, new drawings, log valley rafters, cutting notches, simple and difficult sill log layouts, more tools . .

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"If I were allowed to have only one book on logbuilding this would be the one I'd keep. It is without a doubt the best written instruction guide I have found. Robert Chambers is one of those guys who seems to be able to explain complicated tasks in a very plain english kind of way. This makes it very easy for somebody like myself with no experience in logbuilding to be able to step outside and try some of the techniques on practice logs. He covers the very simple to the very complex and if you take your time and read it carefully you will understand both. If you are hiring someone to build your home this is still an excellent book for you. It educates the reader on where and how to look for good craftsmanship in a log building. I have read enough material on this subject to honestly say that all the others have left me with the question mark over my head. Good Luck and God Bless....."
Mike Mongan, Wisconsin

"After searching fruitlessly for a competent text on log building construction, I had nearly given up. By chance, I stumbled upon your "Log Construction Manual". I made the purchase, read the information and felt compelled to write a review. You take the complex craft of fully scribed log construction and explains through diagrams, photos, techniques, and formulas how to successfully construct a log building. Truly a comprehensive textbook, a must for anyone planning to build a log home or cabin. Also included in this book is a chapter on log building tools, some conventional, some unique to log construction, and places to purchase tools; resources, such as book and magazine reviews, log building schools and workshops, design and engineering contacts. A big "thank you!"
Dave Corle, Sr., Pennsylvania

"Awesome book. I can't stop reading it."
Scott Utzman, Georgia

"I just want thank you on your wonderful manual. I had no idea where to start a log building until your book, and now I just finished my first project; the practice run for our "big house." I cut the trees from our property, . . . it was a wonderful adventure, and can't wait to start the next one. Thanks again."
Doug Houghton, Wisconsin

"Of all the log building books I have, yours is by far the most useful and informative."
Arthur Lyndaker, Ontario

"I began construction of a log home in 1997. I had purchased several of the major texts available. After construction of the foundation and three courses of logs, I found the "Log Construction Manual". For the remainder of the project I used "Log Construction Manual" as my primary reference. The material is outstanding, well written and complete. His log selection method to control shoulder height is second to none. I highly recommend it."
Don Rigney, Montana

"I heartily endorse your methods...and it's great to have some confidence that rounds will end up in the right place, and problems with shoulders are eliminated....and, on and on...great advice!."
Steve Bell, Wisconsin

"I have been interested in handcrafted log building for a long time. I bought many books on the subject, trying to teach myself the craft. They all lacked info needed by the novice. I could have saved myself alot of time and money! This is the book I was looking for ! detailed, straight forward, understandable descriptions of each step... Clear, inside information about a complicated building process. I'm confident now to practice and perfect my technique and hopefully build a log structure on some land I recently purchased.."
RD Barta, Minnesota

"Hi Robert, thanks so much for all the knowledge you have shared. It is the only book out of many that I've read that gets to grips with how its really done, It's all in the detail!'"
Will Tyers, British Columbia

"After searching fruitlessly for a competent text on log building construction, I had nearly given up. By chance, I stumbled upon "Log Construction Manual" I made the purchase, read the information and felt compelled to write a review. Chambers takes the complex craft of fully scribed log construction and explains through diagrams, photos, techniques, and formulas how to successfully construct a log building. Truly a comprehensive textbook, a must for anyone planning to build a log home or cabin."
Dave Corle, Pennsylvania

"The Log Construction Manual has been my bible for the past couple of years as I planned and began building my dream."
Steve Borejko, Alberta

"Robert, firstly i would like to say that I have purchased a few log building books over the last year and your Log Construction Manual has them beat hands down! Hats off -- it is the only book a guy would ever need."
Alan Stark, Saskatchewan

"There is no other book that I have seen with your details, even down to the smallest thing like what chainsaw chain to buy. Thanks for saving me a LOT of time. I am over half way through your book and I love it. Really clear, and I haven't had to read sections over and over to get it, unlike other log home books I own."
Mark Sinkkonen

"I am so thankful and excited that I found the Log Construction Manual. I have many other books on the same subject and have always wanted to learn the craft by self study, but I have not been impressed with any book until now. Robert Chambers is perhaps the world's best, a master, of full- scribe log construction to date! It is refreshing to read something that broke through the old ways of log building that have been used and practised for a hundred years. You are an inspiration and I feel so confident from learning from his book that I will now build the best log cabin I could have ever hoped for. Thank you so much, Robert. I will be forever grateful that you shared your wisdom and great knowledge through your book, it is a treasure!"
Kelly Beaulieu, British Columbia

"I have read many log home do-it-yourself books. HOWEVER ! ! ! Just yesterday I downloaded a chapter from your book and your information hit me like a ton of bricks. I am ordering your complete book, and I can't wait to get it. Thank you for writing in a way that anyone can absorb."
Lou Duma

"Fabulous book! After reading your book I must say I have not read a log home book that comes even close to having the technical details your book offers, and believe me I've read a bunch."
Bruce Barkley

"I would have been in big log building trouble without it."
Tom Dart, Illinois

"An exceptionally "user friendly" instruction manual that will enable them to successfully design and build their own log home. Black-and-white photographs and diagrams add a visual touch to the methodical and detailed instructions for all points of the building process, including how to scribe-fit naturally shaped, tapered, round logs so tightly that they look as if they grew together in the forest. A comprehensive resource packed with everything a log home owner or builder needs to know, whether amateur or professional, as skillfully scribed by an expert on the subject."
Midwest Book Review

"I just finished reading this book, and I have to say that it is head-and-shoulders above every other log home construction book I've read. The illustrations are superb, and the tone of the text is very objective and factual. . . .Chambers also covers the subject comprehensively, from the highest-level ideas (his chapter on settling is fascinating) to the lower-level details (proper chainsaw stance for cutting the lateral groove, for instance). . . . if you really want to learn the most hands-on information in a single book, this is the one."
EB, Colorado

"I would like to take this time to thank you for writing the best log building book on the market today."
Jean-Claude DuBois

"I just wanted to thank you for your excellent book, the Log Construction Manual. I have read a number of books on the subject of log homes. Most were checked out from the library, which is the case with your book. I have bought a few books, and yours will soon be a permanent part of my collection."
John San Fellipo, Washington

"I am half way through reading it and it's a fabulous book. It's exactly what I was looking for. Again I would like to thank you for sending me such a great book. I will definitely keep in touch with you in the future."
Richard Forgiel, Ottawa, Canada

"I received your book last Friday and pretty much spent the rest of the weekend in it. I'm impressed with both the level of information and your writing skills and sense of humor. Very well done. Thanks again for the prompt delivery and a great product."
Neal Zeller, Arizona

"Thank you so much for the book. I am very impressed with how you explain everything, and your attention to detail. Thank you for all the valuable information."
Zack Jacobson

"We first got your book from our local library we loved it so much that we bought one from your site. My husband has started a "sample" log wall in our back yard. At first I and our whole family thought he was crazy, until we saw what he could do. "
Media Druschel

"I just bought your book for my son who wants to build a log home on his land in Alaska. He had already bought it and said it is the best book he has read on log building. "
Cheryl Theiler, Wisconsin

"Thank you again for your book, help, and wisdom for which I will always be grateful...."
Kelly Beaulieu, Yukon

"Your book has become my bible to enable me to draft up my own plans etc. (and I have not even started to build yet!) It really is a credit to you. You have done a superb job."
Eric Croker, Australia

"I've really enjoyed learning from your log construction manual. I had taken a log home building course, so I've had some hands-on experience, but your book has taught me more than that instructor did!" "
Kurt Ashbaugh, Michigan

"In my opinion this book published by Robert Chambers is the best book we own in our library . We are on our third Log Structure since its purchase and find its information most helpful clear and easy to understand. I would recommend it to anyone."
Daniel Smythe, Michigan

"Bought your book several years ago. Used it as my principal reference for building this home after I retired from military service. After completing the logwalls, the four corners all measured within 1 inch of each other from the foundation. I would say this was adequate proof your log selection method works!!"
Don Rigney, Montana

"Your book is really great. I watched the post box eagerly until it arrived and have been devouring it since!"
Eric Croker, Australia

"We have purchased your manual. It is the only book my husband has used. Of course we looked at other books, but he really liked your layout, easy to follow instructions, common sense and sense of humor!"
Sandy and Greg Thomsen, Alberta

"Well I've received your book, and haven't been able to put it down. "
Tom Halligan, Vermont

"[I am] enjoying every page."
Jack Agliata, Florida

"Let me thank you for writing your excellent book. I hope it sells a million copies and that we meet someday in Florida and I'll buy you a beer.."
Jim Martin, Florida

"Your Log Construction Manual is the most informative book I have ever read on the techniques of building a log home. Some refer to it as the Bible of log home construction, and I agree."
Jerry Swein, Wisconsin

"I have been around log homes all my life, my uncle built one, and I was on the building crew, that was fun! Recently, I had the privilege of buying your book, and that has to be the best book out there that anyone could buy, I think anyone that has a liking for log homes should get this book, even if they are not gonna build one. I'm on my second time reading your book, so much information packed into it, every time I read it I find something new, awesome book!!!."
Jared Smith, Washington

"Thanks so Much Robert....you have inspired me to do all my own work just by reading your log manual.....You are most definitely an asset to the log building world and private community. I would love to attend one of your classes knowing what I know now I think it would be a lot of fun. Here are a few pictures of what I have done so far. I plan on building a larger log home in the near future, but this one should do me fine for a while."
Shaun Bender, Washington

"I was immediately impressed with the vast amount of information and detail in your book."
Rich and Pam Ritter, Hawaii

"Your Log Construction Manual is excellent and I agree with the customer reviews which I read on Amazon.com. I like it because it provides details and backround information absent in most other books."
Richard Klemme

" I want to let you know that your book has been a great help to me in my project. I have many books, but your's is the one that gave me the answers and instructions I needed."
Sven Torrild, Denmark

"Your book is awesome."
Thomas Halligan

I have been building handcrafted log homes since 1983, and teaching since 1986. I have been the principal instructor for Rocky Mountain Workshops (Colorado) and for the Pinetop School of Log Building (Arizona) and have taught in Australia, Latvia, New Zealand, Russia, and Canada. I graduated from the Mackie School of Log Building (British Columbia) in 1983 and have been teaching, consulting, and building since then. I have taught workshops in Wisconsin, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, South Dakota, North Carolina, Minnesota, Washington, Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona. Most of my hundreds of students have built for themselves, and many are professional log home builders. Articles about Robert Chambers have appeared in many magazines: The Natural House, Fine Homebuilding (#34), House and Home, Mother Earth News, Log Building News, Joiner's Quarterly, Bob Vila's American Home, Wisconsin Trails, Gentleman's Quarterly (GQ), Building Systems Magazine, and more. I am the editor of Log Building News for the professional log builders association (ILBA) . More about Robert Chambers.

All pages, photos, text, and drawings © Robert W. Chambers 2006