Wildmike, got pics of the cabins?

[wildmanh]

In some posts you have mentioned making some cabins with your M43. Was wondering if you had any pictures you could share with us. Also descriptions of the cabins specs would be nice.

I'm trying to save up to buy some property in Central Utah in a few years. When I do I'll be using a Khukuri to do wood clearing and possibly make a small cabin from the logs. Inspiration is always helpfull.

Heber

 

[wildmike]

I wish I did have pics, but at the time didn't have access to a camera of any type. Nor could I afford one.

The second cabin which was the better of the two was a trsppers style around 12 feet or so long by 6 foot wide. I dug it into the side of a hill. Shed type roof which was roofed with split logs,sealed with plastic and covered with dirt.

I made a smaller cabin before that which was 8 foot or so wide by about 10 feet long.
It was made of smaller logs 6inches or so in diameter. Roofed in the same manner as stated above. Walls were chinked with mud mixed with straw.

I have also made a slew of wikiups and other primitive shelters.

 

[wildmanh]

I wish I did have pics, but at the time didn't have access to a camera of any type. Nor could I afford one.

The second cabin which was the better of the two was a trsppers style around 12 feet or so long by 6 foot wide. I dug it into the side of a hill. Shed type roof which was roofed with split logs,sealed with plastic and covered with dirt.

I made a smaller cabin before that which was 8 foot or so wide by about 10 feet long.
It was made of smaller logs 6inches or so in diameter. Roofed in the same manner as stated above. Walls were chinked with mud mixed with straw.

I have also made a slew of wikiups and other primitive shelters.

Mike, thanks for posting about them. Did you make them in Washington or somewhere else? Ever put in a wood floor or did you leave them dirt? How'd you do a door? what about Windows?

When I eventually do this I plan on making the cabins for a Hunting shack or storage. Will do wood floors and have a pot bellied stove for warmth and cooking. Windows and a solid door will be a must. Eventually I want a large cabin either built my self or from a kit that has a porch and loft. I'll probably do a 8x10 cabin all by hand and get a kit for the bigger multi room cabin.

What type of trees were used? How'd the M43 work for debarking them? I've debarked an Aspen with my 16.5" WWII and it worked pretty well as a draw knife. Thanks,

Heber

 

[wildmike]

The trees were Cottonwood, thats what was growing in the area.

There was a blanket door on the first smaller cabin. On the second I had decided to give myself some security so I made a door out of split logs, the door alone weighrd around 65 pounds. Wood floor in the second cabin was made by using split logs as well.

All I used for the splitting was a wedge (steel) and a 4 pound Hammer.

The M-43 worked fasntastic as a drawknife when debarking. I used ti to cut down all the logs on the first cabin and around half of them on the second cabin as well.

Both were built right near where I live in Washington. The first was reclaimed by the river during a flood. The second was bulldozed recently by the county or state when they decided to clear the area where it was built.

Both were built during a period of homelessness where all my survival skills got put to use over severa;l years. To give you an idea when I first wound up homeless I went outside with a pocketknife and the clothes on my back in late September. By the time I got to the river I already had everything I needed to build a shelter and get a fir going.
I just kept building up from there.

Any other questions, or if I can help in any other way feel free to contact me.

Mike MacCalla
mkemaccalla@yahoo.com

 

[greenwoods]

Thanks for sharing.
Mark