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

Some of y'all have seen some of these pics. Some of the pics are brand new.



I cut down the big black walnut tree three years ago in February. It is important to get a winter cut when the sap is down, this minimizes checking and splitting.




I used the big Stihl to cut the tree into a beam. I have hundreds of black walnut trees on my property. I selected this tree because it had a nice 4 inch curve that I wanted to incorporate into the finished beam.




The big beam measured 8 inches thick, 18 inches high, and 18 feet long.





I attached the big summerbeam to the home made log cart, and carried it up the mountain to the carport to season for 2 years. Needed the big piece to dry some and lose some of that water weight. The big beam was so heavy I wasn't sure the little log cart could hold it.

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.

Great post.

Very nice! I recently cut some very large cedar of similar dimension. I cut for my cousin who has made some beautiful items with it. I have some Poplar, Pine, Beech and Red Oak air drying, for sale and for future projects. Your Walnut would made a nice mantle.

Cool stuff. I remember when you cut that tree.

How did you get it on the cart?

Might be a pun there. 😎

The log cart works as a lever. You roll the cart to where it is above the timber. You grab the big logging hooks and pull down and hook the log. Then you grab the end of the hickory beam and pull down to where the beam rests upon the timber. Then, you tie the end of the hickory beam to the beam that you are pulling, and you are rolling.

VERY interesting post!

I love working with walnut, but one needs to wear that respirator or you can eventually become very sensitive.

John

Some of our 'Fire members, and I'm not one of them, have some enviable skills!

Too Kool!
From another Sawdust Mechanic.

Very interesting. Thanks for showing what usefully educated people can accomplish. It must be wonderful to sit in a cabin built w/ your own hands.


mike r