Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Evolution of a Summerbeam

Not sure if it is vs forum rules but it takes more pics to tell this story.



Last summer moved the big beam onto the work surface of the new log cabin with the home made crane. The little crane could barely lift the big beam. Here I am sanding the summerbeam down with the 7 inch Makita disc grinder.
It was very rough with chainsaw marks on both sides. Had to sand it at first with 36 grit discs. Then sanded for 45 minutes with 50 grit discs. Then sanded for 45 minutes with 80 grit discs. Then polished it off with 100 grit.

Black walnut is difficult to work with. A black walnut tree that is growing releases toxins that will kill most vegetables that are nearby. You cannot grow potatoes, tomatoes, or blueberries near a black walnut tree.
This sanding produced 10 pounds of fine, powdery black walnut sawdust. This powder sawdust is also toxic. My helper Adam sanded for 20 minutes and had to leave the room because he was sick. I was not as sensitive to it as he was but it also made me sick. But, it had to be sanded down to achieve the look I wanted.





Adam and I chisel pockets into the beam. This is where the joists will set. Thank God, the chips from chainsawing or chiseling the black walnut are not toxic.





The summerbeam is set in place atop the capitol, which sets on top of the king post. The 6x6 joists have been installed. The subfloor has been installed. The subfloor is 12 foot construction grade 2x10s from Lowes. The lumber marks are sanded off. This makes a very strong subfloor. It will be the ceiling for the space beneath the loft. A finished floor of oak will be installed on top.




This pic was taken two days ago. The log cabin is finished.