Building a Rustic Table for the Off Grid Log Cabin with Materials From the Forest
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- I reuse the old cabin door, converting it into a dining table for the off grid home. For legs, Cali and I snowshoe out to the primitive Adirondack shelter that Joe Robinet and I built last March where I cut some of the logs to length and haul them back to the cabin. The snow is deep in the meadow and Cali, our golden retriever dog, plows through it, loving every minute.
Back at the cabin, I use an axe and drawknife to remove the bark from the logs out on the front porch. Inside the cabin, I use a hand ripping saw to rip a log in half to use as braces on the bottom of the table. I use a brace and hole saw (manual, non-power drill) to make mortises in the logs, and I handcut the tenons with a Virtus knife and a wooden mallet.
For meals this week on camera, I have curried squash stew, chicken and fried potatoes, all cooked on the wood stove in cast iron pans.
At the end of table build, I explain why I made it the way I did, and what I still have to do to it to make it more permanent and stable. Working with green wood has challenges.
I bring a couple of items of furniture for the off grid home - my childhood chair from my rolltop desk, and a foot stool that I made in 1996 out of white pine, the year I got married. On the front of the stool, I hand carved a white timber wolf.
In my self reflections, I talk about gratitude, thanking all of the amazing viewers and/or subscribers for following me on my journey in 2017. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, or happy holidays, and I talk about my plans for 2018.
In 2018, I plan to build all of the infrastructure required to make this a permanent wilderness homestead, including a workshop, implement shed, woodshed, root cellar, smokehouse, outdoor kitchen, bread oven, cheese cave, food cache, sauna and more.
For the solar light bulb; amzn.to/2BQvSQ2
For the Agawa Canyon saw: amzn.to/2BPV6OF
To see what I’m up to during the rest of the week between videos, please follow me on my other online channels;
Website: myselfreliance....
Facebook - / myselfreliance
Personal Facebook Page (Shawn James) - / shawn.james.msr
Instagram - / myselfreliance
#offgrid #logcabin #woodworking
I am 15 years old and I watch this because I enjoy it and you truly have inspired me.
I got goose bumps first time I saw your videos as it is so similar to my experience with first wife and 1 yr. old daughter in rural Maine, 1970 at age 19. We bought 20 acres for $2200, part of 80 acres with 2 other couples. We built a log cabin with no elec. or chainsaw. Dug a well by hand, dug a root cellar under the cabin during the Winter. Got snowed in for a half mile and used snow shoes and cross country skis. Cleared land to put in a garden. We were very poor but had a great time there for 10 years. It all looked pretty similar to your place- even the trees and lake. It was "wilderness' because it was surrounded by Paper Company land. It is still worth it for you to do it to prove (again) to people that it can be done. Thanks for the great Videos. (I now live and garden in Thailand. ) Sure brings back great memories.
I've waited the whole day in Sweden for this video. Finally!
Gabriel Oliver same!
👌👌
Gabriel Oliver. Another swedish wiever here :)
Me too! :)
My little brother he’s 7 he watches this channel a lot ! We are fro Massachusetts U.S A
You and Cali totally chilled and enjoyed yourself in this episode, Shawn. It's a great way to end 2017! Thank you!
Grazie.
Thank you
Awesome job Shawn. You seem to be very humble and kind. Love your channel.
I am so glad that you have these videos on UA-cam. You have left a part of yourself along with your talents and knowledge for all to see and learn from. With so much negativity on social media anymore, you are a breath of fresh air. What an enjoyable channel to watch.
Hi Shawn, my wife and I would like to wish you, your family and your faithful audience a very merry Christmas and happy New Year from Yerevan, Armenia (Eastern Europe). We absolutely love your channel and the quality just seems to get better and better with each new video.
A man and his dog 'at one with nature' - fantastic!
We migrated from Australia to live in my wife's homeland 3 years ago because we wanted to live a simpler life - now after 3 years we know we've accomplished that. We live comfortably off about USD$6,000/yr - we bought and renovated a simple 2 bedroom apartment for a total cost of $75,000. Though we currently live in the city of Yerevan, our goal is to one day move into a village, where life is even more simpler and less expensive.
Shawn, your channel is so inspiring to us. Thank you for all the hard work you've put into your cabin in the woods and for giving many of us inspiration and encouragement to do the things we once thought were impossible. The world in which we live is obsessed with material things - by removing a lot of unnecessary things from our lives, we have begun to appreciate the simpler things in life. Your channel is a testimony of that principle. God bless you for that. Kind regards, Peter and Sonia from Armenia
Very very exciting I am so happy for you and your wife and your whole family. It's wonderful to see someone build with the two hands that God gave you, no power tools no easy way out just with the two hands the lord gave you it's absolutely beautiful to watch thank you for your videos I can't wait till this year to see everything you're going to do in 2018. Your homestead is going to be breathtaking. I'm a little over 65 but I think I could help with some chores or preserving or gardening, cooking I've always been a resourceful woman. With a little bit of everything that I've done in my life.... The real blessing is I've raised 2 children and they're very productive and they have families of Their Own. It's a beautiful thing to behold, I know you know what I'm talking about you're also blessed you and your wife. Just keep up the good work. Your videos make me smile, and also makes me reflect. 😊 If your wife needs any preserve recipes or gardening tips just give me a shout out here in Cincinnati Ohio. 😄👌👍✌👏👏👏
I was in the military, a commercial fisherman and now a truck driver in the US currently living on the road in a semi. I'm no stranger to hard work and stress. Thank you for being a source of inspiration and wisdom. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Now this is the life!
I realize I am kinda off topic but do anyone know of a good site to stream new series online?
@Alden Aldo i would suggest Flixzone. Just google for it :)
@Wilder Ty Yea, I've been watching on FlixZone for since april myself :D
@Wilder Ty thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service :) I really appreciate it !!
@Alden Aldo Happy to help :D
I think its awesome that you talk to Cali like she's a human haha! I do the same with my Lab (Cutter). They're part of the family and should be treated as such. Great looking table Shawn!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family Shawn!
Ps has to be one of the best UA-cam channels I’ve ever seen thanks for sharing!!
It is! 💗💌💗
Cali looking up at you hanging on your every word is just too precious!! You two have a bond of fun, work, and caring that is awesome......True PALS.
I've been watching your videos on and off for a little over half a year now. Wow, what progress. A lot of times were are not impressed by our own accomplishments and abilities - but man, your skill, hard work, and dedication are impressive. You mentioned you can't believe so many people are interested in what you are doing. I'm interested because I have been trying to increase my skills and one way I do it is by doing more, another is by learning from those that know more than me. Great stuff!
Great video on your build and I must say that you have given me a lot to think about personally. It was a rough year and you’re right I need to let thing go. So many time we feel stuck but I know if I can move past this issue that I have things will get so much better. Thanks for sharing your passion and how you view things its much appreciated. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. As for me I will be working. I work in the hospital lab, and I’m retire Air Force of 25 years. Once again Thanks you.
Christopher Cooper God Bless your 2018
Hey christopher ,took me almost three years to realize that it is time to move on.Holding on to tightly to certain ideals and people who are not good for.
I love watching you work on the wilderness homestead with the hand tools and enjoy the tremendous amount of work and detail you put into your videos. I hope you and your family have a great holiday season and look forward to your 2018 plans including the workshop, implement shed, woodshed, root cellar, smokehouse, outdoor kitchen, bread oven, cheese cave, food cache, sauna!
I wish you and your subs the merriest of Christmas's and the bestest of new years's. watching your progress keeps me focused on mine. thanks for being a positive on the community and keep the reflections coming, they mean more then you know.
The best part is how excited you are about your projects and sharing them with us😊😍❤❤❤❤❤
Cali clearly adores you! All pets should have this quality of life!
I think your videos bring us back to the good old days when we had to wait for Saturday morning cartoons! In this on-demand world it is nice to have something to look forward to! Merry Christmas to you and your family. I can't wait for the big sourdough recipe reveal! My husband and I are having bread wars and so far his bread is better than mine so I really need an ace in the hole to beat him out!
Sarah Dorina Smith-Dufton: The world gives you options... that's what's great about being alive.... you make your choices... If you want to wait for Saturday morning cartoons... then wait. Don't let the world stop you from your goals... we are our reality...
Seeing how you stock your cabin for the winter months with food would be a fantastic video 👍🏻
Haha talking to the dog, sign of a good person!
I have enjoyed your work on here possibly more than any work on U Tube. I have so many of all these wood cutting tools you have that was my granny and grandpa's tools. You have to think I am 77 and these were my grandpa's tools. The draw blade, the use of the tool to bore different size holes in your wood. Brings such precious memories of my childhood....What a blessing for those who have never seen all these works. We had every kind of fruit tree you can think of. Our pears, apple, peach trees we canned and dried the fruits for winter and packed them in 5 gal sealed cans. Our lard, cracklin's etc. The only thing we needed from store was some sugar, flour as we didn't grow wheat but we had our own meats, veggies and fruits. Life was filled with everyone helping and real love back then. God bless you for doing this for people to see there is a better way to live than city life.
I love how you talk to Cali,she is an amazing friend for you,
All your videos are so relaxing. I'm sure not for you, but they just have a certain feel. One of my top 5 channels for certain!
Dude I like the table..looks really nice
Great video Shawn. As a photographer, I appreciate all the camera work you do to make these videos. I know how much time it takes to film all the traveling shots, and cuts, then edit them all down to such a concise and clear story, good job.
As my wife and I continue to work on our own remote property in KY, we are constantly inspired by your videos. Every weekend we start off with coffee and a "My Self Reliance" video, then plan what we will do next.
One thing (among many) that makes your videos so good, is your true and honest nature. As your channel grows, stay true to yourself and I think this channel will become much more than a remote, homestead project channel, it will be a rallying place for people, that is much more than a simple UA-cam channel.
Oh, and my wife says she loves the scenes with your dog.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your whole family.
The dog tried to help with the logs by putting a stick in. That's so cute!
Cali is such a joy.
This is my Christmas present. I love this channel!
Thank you for making these videos and allowing us to join in you journey in this way. Your channel has grown so much for two reasons: one, what you are doing with the cabin build is inspiring and done very well, and two, because of who you are. Your honesty and transparency is also inspiring. You mentioned in one of your videos about kids watching your channel and I think that's truly great because kids today need people to inspire them get out and do something--pursue their dreams--get involved in new challenges--and you are teaching that by what you do and say. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and, God bless.
Love watching your cabin evolve and listening to your wise words. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
When I was young....I read the Book "Cache Lake Country " by John J Rowland printed 1948.....You videos are that book come to Life......Thank You very much....!
Resentments are like drinking a shot of poison and then hope the other guy dies..Your a great man and person.World needs more like you..I'm looking foreward to your videos....Peace
I’m only thirteen and this is super entertaining and inspiring.
We reserve our Friday afternoons to watch your videos. This was a great one. As an artist I hold a great deal of stock in a good stable work surface, makes for a creative space. You have wonderful home there. Merry Christmas wishes from Robert T. Dazley, Raynola Dominguez (mom) and now Mark Dazley (dad/hubby) is watching and we all find inspiration within you videos, for this we have gratitude.
(Not normally a UA-cam commenter, but, just wanted to say the following).
First, Cali is such a beauty.
Thanks so much for these wonderful stories each week. The winter snow looks very pretty, although I am also happy to be watching form a warm summer morning in New Zealand.
I would like to wish you a Happy Christmas to you and your family.
And once again, fantastic channel and very informative. Thanks for all you have done this year.
Looking forward to seeing your plans unfold, has been a joy to watch so far your definitely inspiring me and I’m sure plenty of others! Keep up the great work buddy
Cali listens to every word you say .I had a Great Dane like that .Incredibly smart
What good year for you. So much got done. My sister really loved the video where the dog kept trying to catch the shoveled snow. Merry Christmas, Sean, enjoy your family visit. God bless you all.
I'm really impressed about your cabin, i'm a new follower, sorry if i do some mistakes writing because i'm from Andorra which is a little country between Spain and France (pyrenees) so there we speak Catalan. I'm 16 years old and i love timber framing, so your fantastic videos help me improoving my skills as a timber framer. Your videos also help me a lot because i can improve my english in a very fun way. Thanks for all and have a happy new year!!!
The table looks great. Nice job! Doesn't look like it rocks too much. If I'd built that, it would rock like a teeter totter. Merry Christmas!
OMG, I was reading the introduction and heard a strange noise, like maybe you stepped on Cali's paw, but it was the zipper on your pants...thank heaven. Cali is so beautiful ...
I am new to watching your videos. Love them. I especially like how Cali mimics you. If you dig she digs too. If you are collecting wood in jet sled she brings sticks and puts in sled too. And of course like all dogs if you eat she wants to eat too!!! Cali is a sweetie!!!
I really enjoy your videos. Thanks for the excellent photography and editing. You are a very talented man, to build the cabin, furnish it and survive out in the wild. I hope you show video of your wife and daughters. Thanks
Oak bark, new pine needles make great tea. you have to boil the oak bark 3 different times to clean it well, then you can use the 4th boil for tea. make sure to dilute it as it can be strong. It's very good
Sarah, pine needle tea is wonderful, full of vitamin C. Oak bark tea is good when you have the squits! hahaha tmi! (very astringent)
I build rustic furniture for a living and I have a couple suggestions. You have overall done a fine job thus is no way bashing. From my experience working with somewhat green wood you should drill bigger holes through the base that attaches the top ie a 1/4 to 3/8 hole with a screw that has a washer to attach top. It will allow much more movement in the top. Also I often use branch accents much like the maple stretcher you used to create 45* structural braces. They look great and you can toe screw them in for extra support . Take care
Thank-you :)
I'd sure love to learn what you know. I am a 20 year carpenter, and I love to learn new tricks. That's good advice concerning attaching green wood. Thanks for adding to my bag of tricks!
Wishing you and your family enough. Enough money to see to your needs, enough compassion to help those you can, enough peace to dream, enough happiness to make you smile, enough joy to see you through the worst of times, enough love to fill your heart and just enough sorrow to remind you what that love is worth.
Merry Christmass
I don't have enough time to express all the positives that you and your channel has brought to my life , so I simply say thank you Shawn . Best wishes to you and your family , best regards Lloyd .
Whoever is doing the editing on these vids should get a raise.
john hightower thanks, put a good word in for me at at Google :)
What a beautiful dog you have she is so lovely. I can see now why you have the snowshoes on , Cali is so far below the snow, poor thing she must be frozen and it showed when she lay on your trousers on the floor, thats one loyal pal.
I am so impressed with your accomplishments and your inner strength that you demonstrate by dedicating your time and energy to one of your lifelong dreams and DOING it. Thank you for letting us join in and live it with you! Happy, Happy Holidays and ALL THE BEST in the years ahead.
Keep smiling Shawn and your Instagrams with your response is immensely giving. I love them both here and there....Season Greetings!!!
Christa Unnasch.
Love that table. It looks so much better than the 2 I built when my husband did not want me to buy one. I put tiles on the top of both. My husband said the main table would collapse and had 2 friends join him doing the Mexican Hatdance on top of it. But it held. Lol. I can't get much around at my age [84] anymore and get a lot of my family and charity handicraft done because of you. Thanks so much.
Awesome job, every thing looks great. Merry Christmas to you and your family.🎄
Well done Sir. The "just do it" handy work you're displaying is pleasurable to watch and I appreciate the significant amount of time you're investing to document and share it all but even more than that I thoroughly enjoy your personal transparency throughout the series. You've been honest about the challenges of both the build and life in general... all the ups and downs. There are many of us dreaming of doing what you're doing, almost 160000 so please keep up the good work.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas!! from Madeira Island - Portugal. Love your videos!
You are an inspiration man, because of you I bought my own land and started building my own cabin, thank you very much for everything!!!
I love watching how you work. A lost art.
Millions could care less about your channel which is their loss. As a young boy I loved playing in the woods, creeks, built tree houses etc., was a Boy Scout, as a young man was a semi pro bass fisherman so when I found your channel it was right up my alley. I've enjoyed watching what you do & you're very good at it. Merry Christmas to you & your family, have a great 2018.
Sir, thank you for splendid scenery, personable conversation, and informative videos. Be safe this holiday season. Love and kindest regards to you and your family.
Dude your videos are the shit! I love watching them so much and you got one hella of a companion at your side to keep you company
I have been in construction, like you, for over 40 years and every time I watch your videos I come away with a new found bit of knowledge or inspirational bit of wisdom. Your abilities sir, as a craftsman, are outstanding. " Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing to add, but when there is nothing more to take away. " (Antoine de Saint Exupery) . The cabin build, the editing, and the reflections epitomize this thought. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family my friend and may the Good Lord guide and bless you, all the days of your life. 🙏🏼
No power tools- lots of work and you are a total craftsman. I built houses for awhile but nothing like this. Your channel is the best by a long shot.
Wonderful videos, I know it's about building and learning, but they are very peaceful to watch. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Shoutout to Warren. You’re awesome dude! Thank you 🙏🏼
Your videos are great, the place looks awesome. The channel is doing well also.
Also can you insure the place or is it pretty much just at risk? i don't know if getting the place insured would require getting it inspected first or not.
My Self Reliance , thanks again for another great movie! This is like a soap opera, can't wait until 2018 to see all your goals come to life. The cabin is looking cozy and welcoming. Have a great Christmas!
Not sure to be honest.
Merry Christmas!!!
what role has your wife played through all of this? would love to see the two of you working as a team! a sauna would be an AWESOME addition. Love your videos so much, keep up the inspiration please =D
Cave Rat thank you. Love the videos
And here I am drawn to your wonderful videos while eating my morning breakfast with some hot cup of tea. What a joy.
Cali is such a scrounger! Excellent video, as they all are...thankyou!
I subscribe to a lot of channels, but this one is by far my favorite weekly videos. Thanks for sharing your cabin build and reflections. Merry Christmas to you and your whole family. (USA, Downtown St. Louis, MO).
Merry Christmas Shawn. Really looking forward to that outdoor kitchen build.
Merry Christmas and thanks for the great content. There's a zen to your videos that is just wonderful. All the best for 2018.
A newbie subscriber here. My name is Kevin and the pleasure has been all mine Shawn. I've been binge watching your videos and find myself getting as excited as you appear to be as you lay out your plans for your beautiful property. All the best to you and your family. Be safe and be well.
I had a massive cardiac arrest on Dec. 4th.. When i got out of the hospital I started catching up on your videos as they bring me back ta simpler times and relax me. I would love to say to you and your viewers, Follow your hearts desire, do no harm and treat others as you want to be treated. We are not made a promise of days to come so do things now while you can. Living like this has always been a dream of mine but I will never see it happen. You can ! Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to all Sue
Caleb Stebbins Best wishes!
Not only is it really great to watch you work, I also really like listening to what you have to say. Live life not dreams. Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year man....V
Very resourceful table build! I like seeing the more of the property, it helps give us context. I think all the new additions planned for 2018 sound awesome, especially the sauna.
Totally enjoyed all of your progress on the cabin during 2017. Great videos and great appreciation for all the work that goes into making them. Wishing you all the best in 2018, and look forward to tuning in to view your upcoming projects next year.
Thanks for your videos they are very inspiring
I live in Maui Hawaii trim coconut palms for a living since 94
It's crazy how life is and what things happen I've been in a dark place and hard trial in life and your videos brings peace to my mind and encourages me to push on don't give up good things happen
Mahalo for your unknowingly helping another person
So nice to see something like this off grid log cabin. I want to do all of this one day!💪🍜🍵🏔😇
Nice table and thanks for filming the blue jay!! I love hearing them. Even better seeing them!
I still think he should cut the table 2 inches shorter, rather than making everything else 2 inches higher...
Everything looks super great and cozy Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to you and your family.
Wonderful content Sean, It's every mans dream. Merry Christmas to you and yours...
You are exactly the man I need to become in next 5 years, hopefully. Your videos are really really inspiring for me.
You are building a dream cabin in a winter paradise, complete with friendly, curious birds that are watching. The windows are gorgeous and I love the stove... the scenery is amazing.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year to you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you 🚹 and for other subscribers like me
Great job on the cabin, cant wait to see your other projects. Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
I do enjoy watching your every vedio the best u so working hard 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Love your hard work & determination. Amazing! Your wife also for supporting your dream. You have helped me through a very difficult time. I didnt really want to focus on anything but my health problems. Thankyou.
You need to account for wood movement on the table top where it attaches to the legs. Table will try and pull itself apart because the top is going to expand and contract sideways along its length. If you make the holes you attach it with slots running the same direction as the top wants to expand and contract that will allow it to move. Not being critical just trying to help. Love the videos.
So glad I have my notifications turned on
me too
Shawn, your cabin series has been inspiring, and I truly enjoy all your content. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too you and your family, and I look forward to what you do in the new year!
Hello from Kyiv (Ukraine)! My husband enjoys your videos very much! Unfortunately he doesnt speak english, so I translated your words to him! May your projects come true:)
I love living vicariously through your work. If I was a young woman again I would live the kind of life using all those various skill sets. Thank you for allowing an old woman to find peace and wisdom in what you do. I look forward to all you will accomplish in the new year. Merry Christmas to you and your family. May God bless you and keep you and make His face to shine on you.
Great video. I am really looking forward to what you have in store for us in 2018. Thanks for sharing, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I love this videos!!! Merry Christmas from Brazil.
Thanks for great videos ! A lot of work there with the table, that was a bit surprising for someone like me that doesn't know much about it :-)
It gives me great pleasure to watch your channel. Your life style in nature and your self reliance is one that I have experienced for many years but now I am too old and my legs have given up on me. Your philosophy of life is also akin to what I believe and I thank you for your honest self reflection comments. Love to see you prepare and enjoy those meals....Because of you I am reliving much of my past which I never recorded. Seeing you live as you do makes me happy. I wish you and your close ones the best and may 2018 unfold as you wish. Importantly I wish you good health for many years, as you surely know, that’s what makes it all possible.
Respect from Bulgaria!