All the news about fits

Oct/Nov 2002
Inside
this issue
Letters to the editor
Members offer kudos
to ILBA
Page 2
Tech Talk
Planer adaptation a
Shure thing
Page 5
Log walls put to
the test
Ten tests provide insight
Page 7
Drawings: What
are they?
Defining some
important terms
Page 9
Rendez-vous is a
success because
A special thanks to
these folks
Page 12
Meet your new
ILBA directors
Three members take
office in January
Page 13
Update from the
ILBA office
Page 16
Committee reports
Page 17
Number 39
They came together on the long, Cana-
dian Thanksgiving weekend to learn, play
and share. Those who attended the 1st
Annual Fall Rendez-vous in Cherryville, BC,
did all that, and more, during the Oct. 11-
14 gathering.
ILBA director Robrt Savignac called it
a casual gathering of passionate people.
For Dave Chaluck, overall grand champion
in the competitions held there, Rendez-
vous was an eye-opener. It was a great
experience for me, says Chaluck, whose
membership in the ILBA is but a month
old. It was great to see the different tech-
niques others use and to take part in the
workshops; it was very educational, he
concludes.
Chaluck and partner Eric Larson took
first place in the full-scribe competition and
Chaluck won the notching event as well.
Though he has seven years experience
in the handcrafted business, this was the
first time Chaluck, a log fitter for White Val-
ley Log Homes, had an opportunity to
meet and learn from a wide variety of folks
in the business. Chaluck took part in most
everything there, and is grateful for the
opportunity Rendez-vous provided. Im
glad to be a member (of the ILBA), he
says, Rendez-vous was a good networking
and learning opportunity.
Rendez-vous attendees had the oppor-
tunity to hear Mary Mackie, the founding
mother of the association, who shared her
insights about where the handcrafted
industry has been and where its heading.
Newcomers and old-timers alike benefit-
ted from her words as well as the expert-
ise of master crafters shared during work-
shops throughout the event.
Savignac also saw Rendez-vous as a time
for busy log builders to take a break from
laying logs, moving cranes around and re-
Rendez-vousContinued on Page 3
Agreement Number 40707514
GATHERING OF THE CLAN It was a relaxed and dedicated group that gathered in Cherryville, BC, for the
first annual Fall Rendez-vous.Workshops, demonstrations, friendly competition and camaraderie were the order of the
day during the weekend event. (ILBA staff photo)
Rendez-vous: a casual gathering of passionate people
Log Building NEWS
Dear Editor:
Prior to early 2001, my company
had one logging truck and for 10
years I made ends meet by selling
logs to local mills and doing
mechanic work.
Then ILBA member Wayne
Sparshu introduced me to the ILBA
and insisted I get involved and check
the Association out.
I took the challenge and attended
the 2001 Conference in Kananaskis,
Alberta, where I donated a truck-
load of logs to the Pre-conference
Accelerated Building Course. At
that time I became a member and a
sponsor of the Conference. I havent
looked back since.
Joining the ILBA has changed my
life! My business has grown to eight
employees, myself and three picker
trucks. There isnt a day of the week
that goes by where were not sort-
ing or delivering a load of building
logs to members of the ILBA. Weve
enjoyed the positive upswing in our
business, and the people we deal
with as a member we are now a
part of this growing industry.
This association has also provid-
ed an opportunity for our children
to attend the annual conferences
with us. We look forward to touring
around Ottawa with our children
and seeing everyone at the next
conference in the spring of 2003.
Don Rossman
Karma Industries, Inc.
Thanks for the
Rendez-vous
memories
Dear Cathy, Robrt & Ann:
We wanted to drop you a note
to let you know what a wonderful
time we had at the Rendez-vous in
Cherryville. Even with all of our
problems in getting there, it was
well worth the trip.
The courses, talks and work-
shops were very informative, helpful
and interesting and it was great to
be able to sit around the fire and
talk to other companies and
builders about our craft.
Our compliments to everyone
involved in organizing the Rendez-
vous and hats off to the cooks
(excellent food).
We are looking forward to next
years Rendez-vous and we will see
you there.
Rick & Linda Chilson
Mountainview Log Structures
The Log Building News welcomes letters from the members of the ILBA. Letters will be edited for
clarity, length and libelous content. Letters must be signed by the author and include a phone number
and/or email address in the event the writer must be contacted. Send letters to Bettyann Moore, N8879
Cty. Hwy.Y, Seymour,WI 54165 USA or email them to betiam@athenet.net.
Letters
Why become a member
of the ILBA?
#39 October/November 2002 2
Issue #39Oct./Nov. 2002
Published six times a year
2002 International
Log Builders Association
P.O. Box 775
Lumby, British Columbia
V0E 2G0 Canada
800-532-2900 toll-free
250-547-8776 phone
250-547-8775 fax
www.logassociation.org
Cathy Hansen, Executive Director
cathy@logassociation.org
Robrt Savignac, Executive Director
robert@logassociation.org
Ann Miks, Administrative Assistant
ann@logassociation.org
Contributors to this issue:
Jean Steinbrecher
Ed Burke
Ed Shure
Log Building News Editor
Bettyann Moore
N8879 Cty. Hwy.Y
Seymour, WI 54165 USA
920-833-6127
betiam@athenet.net
TO THE EDITOR
Log Building
NEWS
assemblies. And take a break they
did, staying warm by the campfire and
through the special warmth generated
by like-minded people coming togeth-
er to share and learn.
Here are the results of the compe-
titions held at Rendez-vous:
Overall Grand Champion: Dave
Chaluck
Full Scribe1st Place: Eric Larson
and Dave Chaluck; 2nd Place: Patrick
Clark and Phil Baker; 3rd Place: Jeff
Stephens and Lea Wightman.
Notching1st Place: Dave
Chaluck; 2nd Place: Lea Wightman;
3rd Place: Phil Baker.
Slabbing1st Place: John Boys; 2nd
Place: Eric Larson; 3rd Place: Jeff
Stephens.
Axe Throw1st Place: Phil Baker;
2nd Place: Patrick Clark; 3rd Place:
Mark Fritch.
3 October/November 2002 #39
Log Building NEWS
Rendez-vous
Continued from page 1
A TALENTED Frederick Brillant (left, in photo above) captivates his audience during his French
scribe workshop.
More Rendez-vous photos on Page 4
Log Building NEWS
#39 October/November 2002 4
SHARING, COMPETING AND LEARNING Egils Artmanis (above) demon-
strates some nifty notching techniques; Lea Wightman and Jeff Stephens partner up for
the scribe competition and John Boys (bottom, right) demonstrates a new jig; at the Fall
Rendez-vous held Oct. 12-14 in Cherryville, BC. (ILBA photos)
By Ed Shure
After years spent searching in vain
for a simple, reasonably-priced
machine capable of planing timbers
over seven inches thick, we finally
made our own!
We started with the Delta DC 380
6"X15" planer, which ran about
$1,000 at our local hardware store.
This machine has a fixed base (the
motor is mounted to the upper, mov-
able part), which made it ideal for our
purposes. We modified it by installing
longer feed screws and stanchion
tubes, thereby increasing the Deltas
capacity to 15"X15".
The planer has more than enough
power to self-feed a 30' long 12X12,
but only if the infeed and outfeed sur-
faces are perfectly aligned and nearly
frictionless. Our solution was to build
a 40' table from straight, stable Micro-
lams. We blocked and sheeted it like a
scaffold plank, and skinned the top
with Ice & Water Shield. The manufac-
turer says that the stuff should only
be left uncovered for a month, but I
5 October/November 2002 #39
Log Building NEWS
A close-up of
the rollers.

The adapted Delta DC380 (with close-up of rollers) has provided two years of trouble-free opera-
tion. (Ed Shure photo)
TECH TALKContinued on page 15
Tech
TALK
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Log Building NEWS
7 October/November 2002 #39
T
he log home industry is a
growing manufacturing sec-
tor in western Canada. Due
to a small domestic market,the
majority of log homes are exported
all over the world, including seismical-
ly active areas such as California and
Pacific Rim countries.
In pursuit of the scientific data for
log home construction, the Interna-
tional Log Builders Association con-
tracted with Forintek to conduct
testing of log walls subjected to later-
al loads. The log walls performance
under lateral loads provides informa-
tion for predicting its response when
subjected to earthquakes. Up until
now, such technical information did
not exist for log walls.
A series of 10 tests using various
wall configurations was conducted at
Forintek last spring. In this initial
phase, interesting load transfer pat-
terns unique to log construction
were observed. The encouraging
results provided evidence of log wall
ductility and energy dissipation char-
acteristics through friction between
logs, the contribution of interlocking
saddle notch corners, and wood dow-
els and their combinations.
Forintek provided the industry
with a great deal of test results
exceeding our original expectations.
As an industry association we could
not undertake such a large project
without Forinteks VATTP contribu-
tion, says Robrt Savignac, ILBA
Executive Director. Up until now, log
homes were not a common subject
of scientific research as they repre-
sent a relatively small portion of the
building industry. However, the ILBA,
through support from its members
and sponsors, aims to change that and
catch up with the rest of the building
industry on issues such as seismic,
thermal and fire properties, log finish-
ing and many others, Savignac con-
cludes.
This article is copyrighted by Forintek Cana-
da Corp. and first appeared in issue No. 6 of
ValuTalk, the companys newsletter. It is used
with permission.
Log walls get put to the test
The full report entitled Testing
of Lateral Resistance of Handcraft-
ed Log Walls can be obtained by
visiting the Members' Only Sec-
tion of the association's Web
site at www.logassociation.org.
For more details about this
topic, contact Dalibor Houdek
of Forintek at 780-413-9031.
By Jean Steinbrecher, A.I.A.
Recently, I was hired by a client to
review construction drawings prepared
by a log building company. It was a
tough assignment and a sad story.
Among other things, I found the
drawings showed only four feet of
headroom at the stair landing. The log
builder, discovering the problem during
construction, had added several log
rounds to the building while altering
neither the drawings nor the price.
Meanwhile, the client had engaged an
engineer, licensed in the jurisdiction
where he would build, to analyze the
structural components. A building per-
mit was issued based on the engineers
work and the original drawings.
Shortly thereafter, the log builder
informed the client that, due to log
availability, one species had been substi-
tuted for another at the ridgepole. The
engineer of record had not approved
the work, though it was complete.
By this time, the client was suspi-
cious and more than a little unsettled.
In the end, he and the log builder part-
ed ways, one being left with an unsold
log shell, the other with an unusable
building permit. Though the client had
intended to construct a number of log
spec houses, he now distrusts the
entire industry.
Had the design drawings been prop-
erly prepared, understood and engi-
neered beforehand, the story might
have had a different ending. Instead, I
was called in to advise on a very diffi-
cult situation.
Similar problems are becoming more
frequent. In the past several decades, it
has become customary in the industry
for log building companies to provide
plan services to clientsbe it in the
form of custom designs or standard
plans. Frustrated with the work of
designers and archi-
tects who didnt or
wouldnt understand
log buildings, or in
an effort to provide
low cost plans to
smaller budget cus-
tomers, it seemed
easier to do-it-
yourself.
That was then;
this is now. As the industry matures and
finished buildings become more sophis-
ticated, that attitude and philosophy can
be troublesome. For one thing, most
log building personnel have neither the
time nor the expertise to take on com-
plex projects with demanding clients.
More importantly, fewer players mean
fewer pockets to dip into when some-
thing goes wrong.
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Log Building NEWS
Drawings: What are they?
Jean Steinbrecher
DrawingsContinued on Page 10
Lets face it; the more a project
costs, the more likely it is to see litiga-
tion. Even if youve done nothing
wrong, it takes time and money to
prove it. At the other end of the spec-
trum, the less experienced an
owner/builder is, the more likely the
project will run amuck. Even if it does-
nt, owner/builders have unrealistic
expectations about the time and
expertise available with their plans.
Theres also a good deal of misinfor-
mation and ambiguity in the industry
about what constitutes Contract Docu-
ments. Shop Drawings, which tell every-
thing a log builder needs to know to do
the work, are often confused with Con-
struction Drawings, which tell every-
thing the construction team needs to
know. Each player has a series of tasks
to perform; each needs different infor-
mation. Each subcontractors work
must be woven into the project, all
while threading through your log work.
Theres an amazing array of parts,
pieces and systems that make up a 21st
century log home.
With that in mind, lets look at some
definitions (as provided in the AIA
Glossary of Construction Industry
Terms) for drawings work:
Agreement: The document stating
the terms of the Contract between
Owner and Contractor which may
incorporate by reference other Con-
tract Documents. (The log builder may
be either a Contractor or a Subcon-
tractor.)
Contract: A legally enforceable
agreement between two or among sev-
eral persons.
Contract Documents: The
Agreement between Owner and Con-
tractor, Conditions of the Contract,
Drawings, Specifications, plus any
Addenda and Modifications to the Con-
tract. (Design Phase III)
Construction Documents:
Drawings and Specifications setting
forth in detail the requirements for the
construction of the Project. (Typically,
drawings include plans, elevations, sec-
tions and details as well as door, win-
dow and finish schedules. Engineering
work consists of load calculations, foun-
dation plans, structural framing plans
and details, plus shear wall and pinning
schedules.)
Design Development Docu-
ments: Drawings and other docu-
ments which fix and describe the size
and character the entire Project as to
architectural, structural, mechanical and
electrical systems, materials and such
other elements as may be appropriate.
(Design Phase II)
Schematic Design Documents:
Drawings and other documents illus-
trating the scale and relationship of
Project components. (Design Phase I)
Shop Drawings: Drawings, dia-
grams, schedules and other data special-
ly prepared for the Work by the Con-
tractor or Subcontractor, manufacturer,
supplier or distributor to illustrate
some portion of the Work. (Log
builders often prepare and use Shop
Drawings to lay out and describe their
Log Building NEWS
#39 October/November 2002 10
DRAWINGS
Continued from Page9
own work.)
Specifications: A part of the Con-
tract Documents consisting of written
requirements for materials, equipment,
construction systems, standards and
workmanship. (Here, the ILBA Log
Building Standards are often incorpo-
rated by reference.)
Blueprints: Reproductions of large
format drawings containing design and
construction information. Real blue-
prints use an ammonia Diazo process
that produces blue printing on white
paper. Large format photocopies are
often miscalled blueprints or simply
prints.
Whatever the terms, the drawings
and specifications are simply a means to
an end. (Legally, theyre called instru-
ments of service.) They define, in two
dimensions, on paper, the idea of the
Project. People using real materials and
tools create the three dimensional real-
ity. Because these documents bridge the
gap between idea and reality, think of
them as the map that leads to a project
built as envisioned.
So what sort of Contract Docu-
ments is your design department (be
it one lonely subcontractor at a drafting
board or a whole room full of comput-
er operators) turning out? Can the
Contractors and Subcontractors all
build from your companys drawings?
Can a building permit be issued using
them? Or are they Shop Drawings,
intended for in-house use only?
What do you call these drawings and
services? How do you charge for them?
Do you understand the liability youre
assuming by producing them? If the
building fails for any reason, does pro-
ducing the drawings create further
responsibility on your part? How deep
are your pockets?
Despite the beauty of the zippy
CAD programs available in the industry
today, theyre still just a tool and as lim-
ited as the operators who run them.
Indeed, they produce sharp looking
drawings that appear to be correct, but
thats also their pitfall. The perceived
perfection of computer graphics often
masks shortcomings.
Think of it this way: just as knowing
how to run a chainsaw does not make
a log builder, knowing how to operate a
CAD system does not make a designer
or architect. The computer is the tool;
the operator still needs to understand
how buildings are designed and how
theyre constructedfrom the footings
up. Just as it takes time for chainsaw
operators to become log crafters, it
takes time and broad experience for
computer operators to become log
building designers and documentarians.
In a future article, Ill address the
design process, as it exists both apart
from and in concert with CAD sys-
tems. Meanwhile, companies need to
understand both: which Contract Doc-
uments theyre offering and what
theyre agreeing to do by providing
plans.
Jean Steinbrecher, A.I.A., is a former ILBA
officer and licensed architect who resides in
Langley,Washington. Special thanks to engineer
Jennifer Anthony, designer Murray Arnott and
log builder Dave Gardner for their insight and
input.
Log Building NEWS
11 #39 October/November 2002
Rendez-vous has come and gone, but
everyone attending came away with new
knowledge, new insights and a new appre-
ciation for down sleeping bags.
The ILBA offers its heartfelt thanks to
the sponsors, presenters, suppliers and
others that made the event a success.
Our generous sponsors
Building With Logs, Limited
C.M. (Chuck) Peacock
PO Box 132, Midhurst, ON L0L 1X0
Phone: 705-721-1911
LogBld@Look.ca
www.stavebolt.com
CBR Products, Inc.
Mike Grinsell
1434 Rupert St.
North Vancouver, BC V7J 1E9
Phone: 604-980-3325
mike@cbrproducts.com
www.cbrproducts.com
Cover-All Building Systems
RR1 S9 Comp 14,
Tappen, BC V0E 2X0
Phone: 250-835-4888
coverall@jetstream.net
www.coverall.net
EnerGreen Building Systems Ltd.
David Stevenson
3294-262 St., Aldergrove, BC V4W 2X2
Phone: 604-856-0600
dstevenson@energreenbsl.com
www.energreenbuildingsystems.com
Gudeit Bros. Contracting Ltd.
Len Gudeit
Box 1026, Lumby, BC V0E 2G0
Phone: 250-547-9899
lgudeit@telus.net
Interlakes Distribution Ltd.
Don Roach
C30 The Corner, RR1
Lone Butte, BC V0K 1X0
Phone: 250-593-4344
Interlak@bcinternet.net
www.interlakes.net
Karma Industries Ltd.
Don Rossman
Box 48, Camp Creek, AB
T0G 0L0
Tel/Fax: 780-674-6325
Landing Insurance Agencies
Matthew Leck
#119, 5301 Okanagan Landing
Road,Vernon, BC V1T 9R1
Phone: 250-545-6565
mleck@landinginsurance.com
Log Home Design Ideas
Jerry Stoeckigt
386 N.York Road #205,
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Phone: 630-516-4017 ext. 242
jstoeckigt@sabot.net
www.loghomedesignideas.com
RCM CAD Design & Drafting
Cyril Courtois
8285 Chelmsford Pl,
Chilliwack, BC V2R 3X2
Phone: 604-702-1188
rcmcaddesign@shaw.biz.ca
www.rcmcaddesign.com
The Sansin Corporation
Sjoerd Bos / John A. MacGregor
3377 Egremont Drive
Strathroy, ON N7G 3H6
Phone: 51-245-2001
info@sansin.com
www.sansin.com
Wood-Mizer Products, Inc.
Jeff Brown
8180 W 10th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46122
Phone: 317-271-1542
jeffbrown@woodmizer.com
www.woodmizer.com
Our distinguished presenters
Frdric Brillant, Celtic Construction
Dave Gardner, Unique Timber Corp.
Inge van Oostvenn and Clint Ingham
Ingenius Webdesign
Les Jozsa, Forintek Canada Corp.
Mary Mackie
Brooks Minde , Minde Log Construction
Del Radomske, Okanagan School of Log
Building
Dave Schneider, White Valley Log Homes
Ed Shure & Egils Artmanis, Timmerhus
A special Thank You to:
Dave Schneider & White Valley Log
Homes, Unique Timber, Lance Foisy,
Cherryville Museum society, Greenridge
Supply, Neville Log Homes, Husqvarna
Chainsaws, Savoy Equipment, Nancy
Wilde, Fireweed Food Service, Gold Pan
Campground, Clayton from CANLOG,
Pete Chatterton & Liz Pearce, Sean
Ardis, Samsara, Stihl, Riverside Forest
Products.
Log Building NEWS
#39 October/November 2002 12
Rendez-vous is a success because
With three board of director positions to
fill and three people willing to fill them, no
elections will be necessary this year. Current
directors Jerry Wait and Murray Arnott will
be stepping down from their positions at the
end of the year. Many thanks to them for
their dedication and service.Your new direc-
tors, to take office in January, include:
Katharina Koelbel
It has been my pleasure to be a proud
ILBA member for almost 10 years now.
During my four years of architectural
studies I was mostly influenced by Frank
Lloyd Wright. For
me, his architecture
and his lifestyle are
like sunflowers in a
field of wheat.
When I started
working I knew I
would love to work
with wood. And for
sure I got my sun-
flower job. From my very first work day,
which was Sept. 30,1992, there were log
buildings on my desk.
For eight years my German job was
designing and planning log buildings, inclu-
ding estimating and permit work. My in-
ternational job was log building, specializ-
ing in shop drawings for European pur-
poses in cooperation with ULTW Corp.,
located in Lumby, BC.
In time I went to work for a famous
German sauna company (www.sauna.de).
My job is building and designing private
sauna spacesup to turnkey spa cen-
tersspecializing in log and timber work.
My first contact with the ILBA was at
an international log builders conference
at Yellowstone in 1993. My sister, well-
known architect Jean Steinbrecher, wrote
in my program book: Enjoy your log
marriage! I bet every one of you knows
what she was taking about. After a while I
do, too.
I have seen lots of changes in the Ger-
man building business within the last 10
years as well as in the international log
building business.
Its interesting to watch the ILBA
growing and getting more and more
organized. In my opinion it is important
to keep your eye on your personal com-
pany public relations campaign; watch
your own job management; take care
about social aspects of your crafters and
to be open to and aware of how others
handle these issues so that your own
methods can be updated.
For me its a great opportunity talking
to other log builders and organizations in
the US and Canada as well as all over the
world. Their structures, ideas, problems
and work styles differ due to cultural
influences, building costs etc. But those
differences open up our own horizons so
that we can survive and stay flexible in a
rough business world.
There is no boredom when you have
to handle the same things in different
ways in different places, which is some-
Log Building NEWS
13 October/November 2002 #39
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Tel: 705-721-1911 Fax 705-721-4798
Web site: www.stavebolt.com
U.S. distributor:
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The hidden tension connector with defined
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Meet your new ILBA directors
NOMINEESContinued on page 14
Katharina Koelbel
thing I have learned over the last 10
years.
Many thanks to my log building friends
all over the world. It will be my pleasure
to stand for you and be your voice in my
part of the world. Let us be lots of sun-
flowers all over the building business.
Lets do it with logs!
Ryan McBride
Hello, my name is Ryan McBride. I
would like to offer my services as some-
one who can bring a
comprehensive
understanding of our
industry, the dedica-
tion to educational
growth, and a passion
for responsible log
crafting to the gov-
erning board of the
ILBA.
Growing up in Montana, the timber
industry was an integral part of life. I was
handed a chain saw when I was 12 years
old, and over the past 20 years I have
learned much about our industry. It has
led me down two paths: timber harvest-
ing and log construction. It has taken me
as far North as Alaska and as far south as
Yosemite National Park in California.
There I met a group of men willing to
share their wisdom and knowledge with
me. They taught me the Silvicultural prac-
tices to harvesting beetle infested forests,
using helicopters and other low impact
methods, resulting in minimal disruption
to our vital sustainable resources. After
five years of following the helicopters
around Northwest America, I decided it
was time to return home to Montana to
start a logging and crafting business of my
own.
There, I applied the Silvicultural meth-
ods I had learned, using small tractors to
remove the diseased and dead standing
timber without damaging the forest. With
taking on the responsibility of forest
resource management, it was crucial to
understand log grading rules and stan-
dards. These standards are critical to
ensure the quality of our log structures,
and with the knowledge gained by the
ILBA certification
program, hand-
crafters will pro-
duce log homes
with the integrity
to stand the test of
time.
Log crafting has
now taken me to
Colorado, where I
have been fabricat-
ing and construct-
ing multimillion dol-
lar log homes and
commercial build-
ings in ski resorts
and front range
communities. Some
of my work can be
seen in trade maga-
zines such as Log
and Timber Style.
The rapid
growth in our
industry has pro-
duced a shortage of
educated and
skilled handcrafters.
Many recruits have
emerged in
response to the demand for log struc-
tures, without the advantage of training
or apprenticeship. I have trained many
newcomers to our trade and have
observed it would be most beneficial to
others like me who are professional,
skilled crafters to have apprentices with
an in-depth, working knowledge of our
craft. With the ILBA certification pro-
gram, educating and training the new
recruits will become more effective by
having an established, standard curricu-
lum to work with. In the long run, pro-
grams of this type will be most beneficial
in closing the gap between the industrys
needs and the expertise of its work
force. A reliable and competent source of
educational programs as offered by the
ILBA will serve our industry well and will
help to ensure the overall integrity of log
homes everywhere.
It is exciting to be working towards a
more regulated and standardized set of
building practices for log construction
and I am happy to share with others
what I have learned while I continue my
own education in our ever growing craft.
I look forward to this springs conference
and hope to meet many of you there.
Elaine Nosaka
My increased involvement with the
ILBA as director has been very rewarding
and I am looking forward to my work as
the committee chair of PR and Market-
ing. My term ends this
January and I would
like to continue the
work I have started.
New initiatives I have
been involved in are
important in keeping
the beauty of hand-
crafted log homes in
front of the eyes of
consumers on a fre-
quent basis. Projects which we have
started are; a trade show initiative, a new
marketing brochure for consumers and
continued advertising and improvement
on the Web site. For anyone with an
interest, I would like to invite you to be
part of this exciting committee!
Before joining Log Home Living I spent
16 years in business -to-business sales,
management, marketing and conference
planning efforts helping companies realize
their full sales potential.
#39 October/November 2002 14
Log Building NEWS
Ryan McBride
Elaine Nosaka
NOMINEES
Continued from Page9
15 October/November 2002 #39
Log Building NEWS
Sheep Wool Insulation
For Log Homes
in Rope, Batts or
Loose-Fill
Ph/Fax: 403-845-6705
e-mail: swpotter@telusplanet.net
www.GoodShepherdWool.com
Call STAN for a Free Sample
Now in Europe, Africa, South America, 31 states & 11 Prov./Terr.
Building Healthy Log Homes Naturally!
Its not too soon to start making plans to attend the
ILBAs 30th annual Spring Conference and general meeting
to be held the first week-
end in April, 2003, at the
formidable Chteau Carti-
er in Qubec. Situated on
the north bank of the
Ottawa River, Chteau
Cartier is central to all of
the National Capital
Region and is just a few minutes from the heart of down-
town Ottawa.
If you missed Rendez-vous, this is your chance to join
your fellow handcrafters and supporters from all over the
world for workshops, competitions and demonstrations.
Watch for more information in future issues of the Log
Building News.
Join us in Qubec
Chteau Cartier
have been field testing it on my roof at home since 1989, so
I know it works.
We mounted roller tables to a table on adjustable feet,
so that its easy to keep everything in good alignment. The
rollers themselves are plated and have sealed bearings for
longevity.
We have had trouble-free operation of this machine for
about two years now. Our only major complaint was having
to drag the planer in and out every day, so we recently
added the little locking doghouse. It has a door on each end
that swings down out of the way for planing. We are also
considering mounting the planer on a turntable (like the
ones used for turning pallets in a warehouse) which will cut
down on handling by allowing us to push a timber back and
forth until all four sides are planed.
TECH TALK
Continued from Page 5
Log Building NEWS
#39 October/November 2002 16
Update
FROM THE ILBA OFFICE
Once the fires were built and we
found our hats and gloves, life was
grand at the Fall Rendez-vous despite
the sight of snow. The weekend start-
ed with students being awestruck
with Frdric Brillants French Scribe
techniques and at the end of the
workshop a beautiful timber frame
truss was complete.
The official Rendez-vous Log
Builders competition was well
attended and saw many new mem-
bers competing for the grand prize
chainsaw. The official Overall Grand
Champion of the event was Dave
Chaluck of White Valley Log Homes, a
first time competitor in our events,
and one wholl be sure to return to
another conference to maintain his
claim to fame.
The food was incredible and much
appreciated by all!
Mary Mackie was
on hand to provide
some insight as to
where the associa-
tion came from since our founding
some 30 years ago. Were also happy
to say at the end of the Miter Truss
Workshop, those students had com-
pleted a beautiful log truss under the
instruction of Brooks Minde per-
haps a truss to be used for the ILBAs
future office.
There are many to thank for such
a great event: all those who attend-
ed, all those who sponsored, all those
who volunteered and worked to
make it happen! Again, the people
who attend these events, our mem-
bers, are well received wherever we
go: What an incredible group you
have, was the
comment heard
over and over
again.
As the end of
the year is fast
approaching, you
will soon be
receiving your
renewals for your
2003 membership.
Introduce new
members to the
association and have your name
entered into a draw for a FREE pass
to our Spring Conference. Let us
know who youve forwarded on to us
so that we can keep entering your
name!
As a member you also have access
to the Members Only Section on our
Web site; the password for the
remainder of 2002 is handcrafted.
The new password for 2003 will be
issued with your 2003 renewal.
Thats all from the office for now.
We are busy preparing for the spring
conference which will take place the
first weekend in April 2003 at Le
Chteau Cartier in Alymer, Quebec,
only 15 minutes from downtown
Ottawa; close to museums, parliament
buildings, etc. If youre a hockey fan
you might even want to check out
Ottawa vs. Boston at the Corel Cen-
ter in Ottawa on April 1. Weve
already begun lining up our work-
shops for this spring, which will
include a hands-on workshop on
Stairs with Brooks Minde, more
French Scribing techniques with
Frdric Brillant, and much more to
come.
Robrt Savignac Cathy Hansen Ann Miks
R.C.M. CAD Design & Drafting Ltd.
Exclusively designing log homes
& Post and Beam since 1994
Bus: (604) 702-1188 Fax: (604) 702-0022
E-mail: rcmcaddesign@shawbiz.ca
Web Page: www.rcmcaddesign.com
Check out our Web page to learn about us & our product
Log Building NEWS
17
Standards & Grading Committee
Progress on adopting log building
standards into the upcoming ICC build-
ing code has been a slow process to
date, with little chance for the Associa-
tions involvement. Ed Burke and
Robrt Savignac, along with other ILBA
and Log Homes Council (LHC) mem-
bers, have applied for inclusion in the
ICC subcommittee handling log building
standards. While no word has come
back from ICC on when the committee
members will be chosen, a good sign
appeared with the ICC committee
chairmans request that Ed Burke
review a preliminary draft of the stan-
dards outline. Burke will be working on
the outline with ICC and LHC co-
reviewer Rob Pickett. They hope to be
able to put in place a workable outline
for the committee and eventually write
a draft that will get the discussions and
standard drafting going in a positive,
efficient manner. The chairman recog-
nizes the critical need for the industry
associations to be right in the thick of
getting the standard written and imple-
mented and has welcomed Rob and Ed
as co-workers and allied consultants. It
will be a tedious but very worthwhile
process with significant impacts on the
future of the industry. This is the chance
for the Association to really educate
the public and code officials, and we
cannot and will not be passing up this
marvelous opportunity.
Log grading has been a topic of great
interest for at least the last two years.
Work is still under way to develop a
plan to allow ILBA members access to
the Log Homes Council grading pro-
gram, currently administered by Ed
Burke for the Log Homes Council. Ed
has been working behind the scenes to
assist the Grading Committee of the
council in developing a new member-
ship category that would allow mem-
bers to meet the National Association
of Home Builders (parent organization
of the Log Homes Council) require-
ments for participation. While it would
seem a simple matter for NAHB and
the LHC to just open up the program
to one and all, the fact is that the LHC
Grading Program, and all other grading
programs, are required to comply with
rules set up by the National Evaluation
Service which accredits the program
for recognition by the major building
codes.
Dave Kaufman, executive director of
the LHC; Chris Wood, President; and
Randy Combs, Chairman of the LHC
Grading Committee, have been and are
currently working to develop a mecha-
nism that would allow ILBA members
to use the grading program within both
the by-laws of the NAHB and the
requirements of the National Evaluation
Service. As you all know, Ed has been
working to develop
a means to offer
grading services for
our members and
will continue to do
so as a non-voting,
yet influential mem-
ber of this group.
He is learning that
patience and offer-
ing practical solu-
tions are key to
accomplishment in
in large, member-
staffed organiza-
tions like ILBA and
LHC. We also must
remember that the
NAHB has insur-
ance and other
requirements that
must be met within
the framework of
its charter.
The work done
on the Log Building
Standard for ICC
will bring log grad-
ing to the top of
the to-do list for
the two associa-
tions. It is obviously
in the best interest
of both organiza-
tions to join togeth-
er on building stan-
dards, log grading
and all the other
issues that are
squeezing our shoes.
Please get into the process by com-
ment, suggestion, volunteering to
review work in process or discussing
standards, grading and all the other
vitally important issues that face the
Association today and in the future.
Reach the committee via Ed Burke at
eburke@forestry.umt.edu or FAX him
at (406) 243-4845.
ILBA
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ed Burke
STANDARDS & LOG GRADING
CONFERENCES
MEMBERSHIP & PUBLICATIONS
EDUCATION & TRAINING
FUNDRAISING
PUBLIC RELATIONS, MARKETING & WEB SITE
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
CERTIFICATION
Iormo Indusfries, Lfd.
SpecioIi;ing in 8uiIding Logs
0reen or dry
Whife spruce & LodgepoIe
Truck or roiI orronged fo Conodo & fhe US
Don & Deb Possmon
780-o74-o3Zb
drossmonphrd.ob.co
October/November 2002 #39
Log Building NEWS
#39 October/November 2002 18
Classified Ads
LOG BUILDING TOOLS - STARRETT & MACKIE scribers; heavy duty drawknives up to 30"; peeling spuds; chopping
& finishing axes; broadaxes; adzes; GRANSFORS axes; ENGLISH slicks; ROBERT SORBY, HENRY TAYLOR, FOOTPRINT &
PHEIL chisels and gouges; JAPANESE slicks, chisels, saws, ink lines & flex squares; hand-forged Flarens, shovel gouges, flat
& scarf slicks, drawknives & draw-gouges; BARR Specialty Tools; peavies; cant hooks; lifting tongs; log dogs & cleats; log
horses; water stones; Diamond whetstones; NORTHWEST calipers, tenon cutters & long auger bits; ship augers; chain-
saw mills & attachments; MAKITA & MAFELL planers, saws & chain mortisers; MACKIE log building books & videos. FREE
32-page catalogue, MAGARD VENTURES LTD, 8365 Domagala Road, Prince George, B.C., Canada V2K 5R1; Phone:
250-962-9057; Fax: 250-962-9157Maurice Grady.
LYRA PENCILS and MARKERS have arrived in Canada. Its about time we have a HIGH QUALITY PENCIL for writing
on everything from glass to wet wood. Carpenter pencil: 10-Inch long, dry & wet. Contact Northwood Log Homes,
Phone: 867-872-4261; Fax: 867-872-4645; email: logdognwt@hotmail.com.
15 cedar logs in stock $175/meter, call for details. Dry Diamond Willow wood, suitable for decorative handrail
and furniture.Call for price. Bruce Mooney; phone or fax 250-547-9444.
For Sale - 1997 Wood Mizer LT-30 Hydraulic Saw, powered by Lombardini 30 HP Diesel Engine, on a 17' Trailer.
Only operated 656 hours and in good condition. New $26,556.00 USD. Appraised $18 to $21,000.00 USD.Call Don
Gerdts at 1-970-328-9700, Ext 7235 to see and bid.
For Sale - Grizelda the Crane. Bantam Telekruiser 15 Tonne, 65' telescopic boom, Rough Terrain mobile crane.Year
- approx. 1965. Current owners used her to build a log house. Reason for selling - house done! Engineer says, Diamond
in the rough - perfect for the owner/builder. Location - Pender Harbour, Sunshine Coast (B.C.) $15,000 CAD.
Now available through the ILBA office: Log Span Tables $20USD; Land to Lock Up manuals $15USD (on sale, reg.
$20USD); Log Building News Special Edition Book containing issues 1-30 ($150USD); back issues of Log Building News
$6USD each; Log Shell Contracts $75USD-$150USD; Log Building Construction Manual by Rob Chambers $29USD. Ship-
ping & handling fees will also be applied to above orders. Please phone the office at 800-532-2900 to place your order
or email us at ann@logassociation.org.
THINK INTERNATIONALInternational Log Builders Association, that is. Use the ILBA logo in all of your
print advertising. Company members can call 800-532-2900 for a free digital or camera-ready logo today!
Learn about timber framing
Experience the joy of building
community through craft
Timber Framers Guild
education inspiration
888-453-0879
www.TFGUILD.ORG
Log Building NEWS
19
How to get Log Building News
Log Building News is mailed to all ILBA members. Articles, photos and
letters are welcomed. Contact the ILBA office for the LBN 40 deadline.
If you submit articles in Microsoft Word

on CD or by email, send
them directly to the ILBA office.
Back issues of Log Building News are available from the Association
office. Call 800-532-2900 to order.
Copyright notice
Log Building News is copyrighted in Canada and the United States.
Express written permission is required from the ILBA and, in some cases,
from the author, before any article or photo can be photocopied, dis-
tributed or republished. Contact the ILBA office for details.
Disclaimer
The views and information expressed in articles and ads appearing in
Log Building News are those of the authors of those articles and ads. The
International Log Builders Association assumes no responsibility for the
accuracy of the information contained herein and does not edit or inves-
tigate any article or ad for that purpose.
Log Building Standards
The ILBA Log Building Standards, the building code for handcrafted,
scribe-fit log homes are available online at the ILBA Web site,
www.logassociation.org and can be downloaded to your computer at no
charge as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.
Advertising
The Log Building News welcomes advertisers. Please contact the ILBA
office for deadlines.
Advertisers can send files in QuarkXpress format (Mac preferred, but
PC is acceptable) with the appropriate fonts (screen and printer), images,
and graphics included. All images should be scanned at 266 or higher and
in an EPS or TIF format. Ads can also be sent as PhotoShop (6.0 or
below) or Illustrator (9.0 and below) EPS files or as 300 dpi greyscale
TIFs. Submissions can be made on Zip disk, CD-ROM, floppy disk or via
email. Compressed .sit, .zip or .sea files are acceptable.
Editorial submissions can be made in MicroSoft Word,Works, Simple-
text, PDF, or QuarkXpress formats and can be sent as above. Any line
drawings should be sent in TIF format scanned at 1200 dpi or as original
art for scanning.
Contact the ILBA for other digital file information by email at
cathy@logassociation.org.
Log Building News is a great way to contact the best log home builders.
The ILBA is the largest group of builders of handcrafted log homes in the
world our members made well over $250 million of logwork last year.
Please contact the office at 800-532-2900 for an advertising specifica-
tion sheet and ad rates.
Joining the ILBA
Membership in the International Log Builders Associ-
ation is open to any interested person. Members get one
year of Log Building News, membership certificate, voting
privileges, discounted conference registration, a listing in
the Annual Directory, a copy of the Association Constitu-
tion and Bylaws, use of computerized help wanted and
work wanted ads, and all ILBA mailings and notices. Com-
pany memberships have additional benefits. Company
members can consider becoming Certified & Pledged
Builders. The ILBA accepts Visa or MasterCard.
For more information on dues and member benefits,
please call the ILBA office at 800-532-2900.
President
Jerry Wait
Ph: 715-547-6222
Fax: 715-547-3118
jerrywait@hotmail.com
Vice-President
Dave Gardner
Ph: 250-547-2400
Fax: 250-547-8888
djg@uniquetimber.com
Treasurer
Murray Arnott
Ph/Fax: 519-829-1758
mail@designma.com
Secretary
Mark Fritch
Ph: 503-668-7130
Fax: 503-668-3285
mfritch@loghomz.com
Cathy Hansen, Executive Director
cathy@logassociation.org
Robrt Savignac, Executive Director
robert@logassociation.org
Ann Miks, Administrative Assistant
ann@logassociation.org
International Log Builders Association
P.O. Box 775
Lumby, British Columbia
V0E 2G0 Canada
800-532-2900 toll-free
250-547-8776 phone
250-547-8775 fax
www.logassociation.org
For more information
2002 ILBA officers
Directors
Dalibor Houdek
780-413-9031
dalibor@edm.forintek.ca
Elaine Nosaka
703-227-5275
enosaka@loghomeliving.com
Jeffrey Patterson
208-676-0422
jeff@edgewoodlog.com
Kurt Overholt
406-821-4602
logcrafter@earthlink.net
Dr. Edwin Burke
406-251-4325
eburke@bigsky.net
October/November 2002 #39
TM
Log Home Design Ideas 2003 DESIGN GUIDE
The January issue of Log Home Design Ideas is our
annual DESIGN GUIDE. Distribution of over 180,000
copies with accompanying CD-ROM is sure to make
this our biggest seller of the year. January would be a
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Having a Web site has become a measure of
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Basic 1 page site with up to
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1 year hosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $120
Your own domain name
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Check out this site to get an idea of
what your own Web site could look like:
www.pacificommultimedia.com/bkcypress/dealerdemo.html
L
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Let Log Hom
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