Montana Mountain Retreat (houses, living in, move)

[Clark Fork Fantast]

You must really love these heavy off-the-beaten-path projects if you finished one in Wyoming recently, and then took on another in Montana.

[The-White-Baron]

Originally Posted by Clark Fork Fantast

You must really love these heavy off-the-beaten-path projects if you finished one in Wyoming recently, and then took on another in Montana.

Hi Clark!

Yes indeed, I am like an old-school pioneering adventurer with a dash of the futuristic vibes thrown in!

The issues with the Wyoming one were like my apprenticeship! Now I must put forward the skills I have learned in the hallowed green highlands of the Montana Frontier!

[Reziac]

That's some nice trailer-building skills. You could probably make decent side money doing custom units.

You might enjoy this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P73REgj-3UE

Tho I think your house is going to be bigger!

[The-White-Baron]

Hi Rez!

Thank for that. Databurst for latest construction project in the tubes...

[The-White-Baron]

In the previous year I had only just had time to put the roof up before the winter weather descended, this time I have more time. I also have the funds on me to make the main payment and have land I can call my own.

The first thing to do was unload my trailer and set up my tent. That way I could empty it and move it outside. Where it was parked I will make a temporary kitchen while I work on building the floor for the living quarters.



I noticed that although the cabin shell was sheltered from the elements some moisture had caused mold on the pine logs, especially this one:



However the tamarack and fir logs were much less affected.

After that I made some measurements and headed off to the nearest city to get the joists, I had the guy at Home Depot make the cuts and was happy once I got back and mounted the joists...

[Reziac]

I don't think that's going to fall down any time soon

[The-White-Baron]

The first set of double joists were challenging, not only was I having to drill through three logsModerator cut: edited per request, but the posts were not aligned. This is due to the differences in hole configuration, log thickness etc.

I made a notch on the center post which took about an hour or so. The it was a case of making the other side the same so that both joists were the same height. I used a combination square and carpenters level for this which I got between the bubble.



What happened was the joists had to either be 'pushed' in to fit or 'pulled' out etc. In one instance I had to use blocking to bridge a gap. Had I not done so the joist could well have snapped as a result of being over bent. Here's how I did it.

[Reziac]

Doin' better than I would... if I were building it, no two walls would tilt the same direction

[The-White-Baron]

Drilling through the wood was tough, but getting the bolts through the first three logs was intense, plus I had a banging cold. I had to double-nut the bolt and rotate it many many times...



The method of bolting ensures a very secure and snug fit.



Next it is time to get the secondary joists measured up and ready:

[The-White-Baron]

Area of construction just when I first arrived: