I'm 66, you're living the dream I had 40 years ago but let life get in the way. Just know there is someone out here living through you vicariously. I first saw you on Xander's channel and have watched every one of your episode since. Keep living your dream and don't let anything get in your way. You have a fan.
GOOD SIR GRAVES, THANK YOU FOR THE TOUCHING COMMENT. IT MAKES ME REALIZE HOW LUCKY I AM TO BE IN MY POSITION, DESPITE THE STRUGGLES. YOU INSPIRE ME TO REDOUBLE MY EFFORTS. STRENGTH AND HONOUR 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
James, you not lucky to be there. You made it happen. I also once wanted to do what you do, but ultimately decided to do other things in my life. So, it’s lovely to be able to follow your journey!
@@wildhomestead You really are. Im 23 now and i can feel that life is beginning to get in my way just like it had happened for Mr.Graves. Hopefully its truly never too late to do what You feel You really were destined for.
Same, I've seen you on xander video and can't stop watching. You do inspire and content is awesome but don't forget at the end of day you're doing this for yourself. So stay safe and all the best. Greetings from beautiful Poland 🇵🇱🇵🇱😊😁
A couple of important building tips moving forward: 1. Make sure to stagger your loft floor plywood. That will make the floor all tie together and be very sturdy 2. I’d recommend gluing the plywood down with “subfloor liquid nails”. You find that in a tube of caulking that applies with a caulking gun. 3. Make sure to put in a screw at the bottom and top of each of those blocks in between the joists. (Not just 1 screw) 4. The big carriage lag bolts you installed are designed to be installed without using the washer. I’d recommend you remove the washer. 5. When you install the floor and insulation in the cabin, make sure to use proper vapor barrier on the bottom so that moisture and gases in the earth don’t seep into your cabin. 6. VERY IMPORTANT: you’ll need a rodent block under the cabin floor, I would recommend a galvanized steel 1/4” square hardware netting. Don’t put a 1/2” plywood under your floor thinking it will keep the rodents out, they will chew right through plywood. This is how I would recommend building the floor: - 1. Build your floor frame in a 8ft x 12ft section. - 2. Apply a layer of 6 mill-10mill thickness black vapor barrier plastic sheathing with stainless steel staples. - 3. Then over the top of the vapor barrier install the 1/4” square galvanized steel hardware netting with large staples or ultra wide head short nails. - 4. Then flip that 8x12ft floor section up and over and lay it down into the floor are. Then you can secure it to the logs with lag bolts. - 5. Then repeat the same with the next 8x12ft floor section and flip it up and over down into the 2nd floor area - 6. After that’s complete you can install your floor insulation and plywood to tie it all in. (I would recommend you use rockwool insulation for the floor and ceiling of the cabin. Has a 25-37 percent higher R-value than fiberglass and has superior sound proofing qualities. It does well to absorb sounds. If you use plywood don’t forget to stagger the plywood and use subfloor glue. - 7. I personally instead of using plywood, would use 16ft long 2x6 to give the floor that more traditional rough looking hardwood floor look. Or you can use plywood and install a rough-sawn wide plank hickory or oak hardwood floor over the top of the plywood for a more finished look. (If you would of had a basement or at least a 2ft high crawlspace you could have built the floor using joist hangers and floor joists like you did in the loft and then after it was all done you would crawl under the cabin and staple up the vapor barrier and hardware netting. But since you don’t have any room to crawl under the floor once it’s built you kind of have to do it the way I outlined above. P.S. too late now but to save time and to make it easier, when you install wood joists into hangers, you normally measure and mark all your hangers, install those first and then just lay your wood joists in place. HAPPY BUILDING!
@@js2743 relax……I’m just offering some friendly building tips. It’s pretty obvious that in every video he specifically mentions that he’d like us to offer building tips and advice, and that’s what I’m doing. 🤷🏻♂️ in the end, it’s his cabin and his choice.. he can take our advice or leave it.
@@donaldhofman5257 the carriage bolts have that wide head specifically so they don’t require a washer. They bite better and hold in the wood better without a large washer…
You know what would be a good episode? Do a price breakdown or an estimate of what it takes with all the tools, lumber and etc to build.. I think everyone would enjoy that.
WELCOME TO WILD HOMESTEAD, GOOD SIR J! YOUR PASSIONATE VIEWERSHIP IS MOST GREATLY APPRECIATED. MAY THE GODS BLESS YOU! BOTH THE OLD GODS AND THE NEW. 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
Not long ago I finished restoring a 200 year old log house in the middle of Norway. The insulation I found between the logs was moss, but also rags from old clothes, mostly made of wool. In Norway we say the log walls shrink about an inch to the meter, but we normally use logs cut at least a year before we use them. One idè about your walkway to the tent, would be to make a little raised boardwalk of some of the logs you have left. But since you choose to use gravel, you should have put a sheet of something between the dirt and the gravel, to prevent the gravel from being “eaten” by the dirt. I love your show, and have a hard time waiting for you to release the next, and the next.. Keep up the good work, and at least one Norwegian Viking is watching and hoping for you to succeed💪🏼👍🏼
Yes! This is the answer. Functionally the gravel is good enough... but before too long it will sink into the mud and disappear. The bark won't do that as readily since the pieces are bigger- but even if it does, there is a virtually endless free supply.
Lay out the bark strips and scatter the gravel over it in the higher traffic areas. I think the unevenness of the gravel could help clean out the boot tread. It would also make great fire starter when it’s dried out.
Hey Buddy, next time you are in town grab a 3'-4' piece of 1-inch Schedule 40 PVC and slide it over the rope on the sled you pull behind the Wolf. It will keep your sled from running into the four-wheeler and avoid the risk of busting it up. Just as an FYI, your current hammer is likely a 16 oz. finish hammer. It will work, but yeah, it takes a lot of swings to get'r done. A 24 OZ framing Hammer would be a good investment. A lot of them have waffle heads which can mar up your logs so keep that in mind and consider finding one with a smooth head. Regarding your trailer for the Wolf, keep in mind you will need something that can work in the winter and summer and something geared for hauling freight. I've seen freight trailers that other guys are using that you can swap out tires in the summer for skis in the winter so you tow them behind a four-wheeler or a snowmobile as conditions dictate. I'm sure they are a bit pricey but unless you plan on building a road to your permanent cabin it would be a good investment for future builds.
Honestly a single seadoo trailer, or a skinny John boat trailer might be your best bet for hauling logs and beams with the ATV. Reason being is they're skinny, relatively long, and don't usually weigh much, but can take a bit of weight, and beating. And usually cheap on FB marketplace or Kijiji.
I think it's pretty clear to most viewers that this guy doesn't exactly know what he's doing and he's figuring it out as he's going along. I just wanted to mention that I think that's actually something I respect and it will be interesting to see how he improves as time goes on. I think for other people who are considering doing something similar it's a much more realistic comparison than some of the other "homestead/survival" channels out there. He seems to be taking on advice and feedback from the internet too which is very smart both from a PR perspective and for his overall success at building his homestead.
Just a suggestion here. You can buy water tanks to mount to your stove. Great for melting snow, always having hot water available, and an added bonus, they act as thermal mass
Yessss !!!! Immediately stopped watching another video when I saw this one was released , oooga boooga James , may the wolf milk flow like a Canadian river
It's refreshing to find people that are not afraid to ask for opinions, instead of acting like they know everything because they have a channel, You are fun to watch-thanks for sharing!
Im an arborist 10 yrs in the trade in southern Ontario. If you just have basic gear you can add a weight of 14oz or so to a long string. Use it to throw up in the tree and tie a strong pull line on to your tree using a running bowline. And use a come along to pull the tree backward. Or just get the rope tight tied completely behind the tree almost like a limiting line so the tree cant fail toward the oak so the tree will land 90* from where its tied. Sorry for the poor explanation. Also be very careful because poplar gets really mushy when its that dead. Or if your really unsure and skeched il just come do it for ya for free on my way up to our property in the spring. Its in matachawan are you any where near or on the way ?
My dad used to take a 30 minute nap after dinner at noon! After that he was good for another 8 hours of hard physical labor! He was 75 when i was 18 and he could work all the neighbors and me in the ground! He was very strong!
They sell rolls of chinking felt, there's also straight up wool fiber you can stuff between the logs. Neither are ridged and won't crack when the logs shrink, you'll just have to add more in the gaps that develop... or you use moss, leaves and mud/clay like the ancestors did.
I started building log cabin when I was 14, I decided to build a home cabin with the family and now building one beside the river and decided to have my UA-cam channel
a "smitty sled" might come in handy for you. it's a common style of sled built for ice fishing and can be built very cheaply, especially if you're able to get ahold of some old downhill skis for cheap/free. You can mount your plastic sled on top of it and it will definitely help if you have to pull a sled through deeper snow
Hi my Darling Nana Lin Here Wife. Mum of 4 Grown ups. Quite a few Grandkids. I have been with you from the very Start. When i watched you put on part of your Loft Roofing today, I was so proud of you Standing on it like the King of your Cabin. You have achieved so mich by yourself with very little help. We hope to move in 3 years to buy a Home with 10 Acres of Land. We also want to buy a few Acres in Minnisota to go out on Holiday every year. Being British we can only stay for 3 Months.. Is is my Dream to live off grid, yes i know it will be a Holiday Home but I want others to Experience the Life off Grid for an Experience to remembe, though it would only be for a Couple of weeks a year for them. it will give them a little taste of what the Life could be like if they choose that kind of Life. They can Garden and really get those Hands in the Soil. Gardening is very big in our lives. We all get so used to our Comforts i say F that. i Love the Coffee Name someone had the Balls to call it what they called it. ,Take care until the next Ep x
I've got my 3 year old and 1 1/2 year old daughters saying "Ooooga Boooga" now. Your videos are our favorite early Saturday morning activity. May the gods continue to inspire your efforts sir. Be well.
James , don't ever stop saying ooga booga !! , I too say it now every morning when i drink my coffee with honey haha , stay true to yourself , we're all here for because of it , Fantastic channel , now in my top 3 for sure 🐺
Good Sir, your optimism and energy are most inspiring. Maybe the cold immersions and the hot coffee help? Our local temp max was 38C today! Greetings and Felicitations from Australia.
GOOD SIR CONAN, 38C! I WOULD MELT INTO A PUDDLE OF SWEAT! OZZIES ARE THE WARM WEATHER WARRIOR VERSIONS OF CANADIANS NO DOUBT. STRENGTH AND HONOUR! 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
Just watching episode 13, and my boyfriend had suggested rock wool safe and sound insulation as an alternative to spray foam 👍🏼 Loving following along on this journey!!!
This is almost like watching the film “The Martian” with Matt Damon, you’re all alone, working on survival and even your beard and hair are growing like his 😂 love the series dude!! Keep it up
In that ledger board you can put a slot in board on bottom . install screw with washer . It will slip with any shrinkage or expansion. The upper screw can be installed as normal with no slot.
Love your stuff! You can protect Thor’s Red Oak by attaching a “come-along” to the dead poplar and a solid tree in the opposite direction. Hope that helps!
Moving along nice, love watching the process. That birch bark will help with your fires too as well as if the tap the birch tree, you can have some birch water it is very good and healthy. Add some blueberries and have a yummy beverage.
I've been watching since the first episode. It is very satisfying to see your cabin coming together and to watch your experience unfold. Praying your journey in nature is renewing and that you find new perspectives in Truth 🙏 God bless you my friend.
An alternative to the spray foam is Raw or a little processed sheep's wool. I suppose to get the sheep smell out of the wool it'll have to be somewhat processed. Sheep's wool is a very good insulator, even better if it's been treated with a fire retardent.
Awesome project and life you are living my friend. I think you would like using a speed square. Use it as a rip guide when making 90 degree cuts with your circular saw.
Love this series! I take my two Irish Wolfhounds out for dog training (well, Irish setters...!) and then come back, make coffee (sweetened with Maple Syrup, Obvs!) and settle down for a watch! Love what youre doing. And as others have said, Wool is a *superb* insulator..much undervalued. My dads wood build home in France is insulated with tons of the stuff and is warm as you like!
I love watching these! I have been missing UA-cam after TK came out and this has been my go to every week. I dream of this since I was a teen and to watch this with my kid is such an amazing thing. I like how you are conscious of your surroundings and conscious of the earth you are building on :)
I have been watching since day one man and im so happy how far you have gotten. You can tell how excited you get with each video getting closer to fulfilling your dream. Once the cabin is done there is nothing getting between you and your wife and 10 children lets goo
Hi James, you mentioned that you cannot screw the bottom end of your beam because you need to let the logs shrink and settle first. Common practice when screwing vertical framing in logs is cutting a vertical slot in the wood to allow for this movement. To stop the screw from pulling through use a washer. This will allow you to secure the beam and allow movement. This should also be used around the windows and doorframes.
Good morning brother!!! Wow, everything is really coming together!! Super proud of you and all you have safely accomplished so far and also with tonnes of fun. I stumbled across this amazing Channel and content about a week ago and after the very first video I watched I instantly became addicted!! Wolf Milk, all of your hilarious Mythology, Acting, Comedy and also your doing and learning is awesome!! This is completely different from every other channel in so many ways. Filled with excitement, comedy and building!! Thank you for creating this amazing channel and sharing with all of us. Can’t wait for the next one !!! I want to ship you some Pure Maple Syrup from here in Nova Scotia!!! OOOGAA BOOGAA!!!
To my Canadian neighbor, I find it refreshing that a “worldly” man chooses to return to a simpler, honest existence. Other than the motives you’ve mentioned already, I suspect your motivation also includes the freedom, and independence, to live your life and to raise your family with your values. Best to you and God bless.
Suggestion from my wife. Take a tarp and wrap lumber in the tarp like a burrito with ratchet straps. Then tie rope to the tarp and pull the tarp. Worth a try. Good videos, so thank you!
I absolutely love your channel…. I’m stuck in the house with an illness that have disabled me and I really look forward to seeing your show I love bushcraft
Just imagine how bougie you will feel when you get hot running water in the cabins XD No more freezing river wash dances, unless you like it so much you keep doing it I guess.
James, you’re killing it man. I have 10 acres off grid in the parry sound area that I built a Bunkie on, you’re inspiring me to get off my ass and do the log cabin I always dreamed off. Love you’re content keep it up and thankyou ❤
Hi james run a 4x4 drag chain as high up poplar as you can tie a rope to the end of it or use multiple chains and pull the line or chain as tight as you can then face the poplar to suit as you put your back cut in to fell the tree the weight of the chain will keep on pulling the poplar tree away from the red oak also make u plunge cut above or below the back cut if you know how and drive in a steel or alloy wedge as they drive in better and will give better lift also use a sledge hammer to drive it to deal with the widow maker aka dead limb thats broken off pick a safe direction and use a slug load from your shot gun to hit the limb to break it in half or knock it down as thats a lot of punch and wont go far or use a normal shot gun shell and if its a long brass cut through around the outside of the shell case but dont cut through the centre as you dont want to cut the shotgun shell wad even leave 1/8 th inch of outer case uncut if you want to as when you fire the gun the shot and front of the shotgun shell case will fire iut of barrel as solid unit same as a slug load until it hits something solid then break up and create havoc on animal or tree that you hit if your going to use that trick on a animal such as bear etc score down the side of the case to weaken it a bit and put a few cuts like a x in end of the shelk crimp to weaken it sow it blows apart easier but dot use them or slug loads in a shotgun barrel with a choke other than improved cylinder or no choke at all or you will bulge the barrel and wreck it id also use sheep wool from insulation batts or cotton for calking wooden boats or something like that but sheeps wool would work best as its got lanolin oil in it best of luck love how your going with building your home its looking great
If you need ground cover to deal with the mud I suggest using your abundance of wood chips and saw dust you have. Works great, is free, and readily available
Hi, retired architect, a few rules of thumb, a 2x6 will span 12 ft at 16” on center. Doubling up the floor joist and placing 12” on center is over engineering the floor system. It is also using more material than you need, you may consider this as you move forward. Love the channel. Thanks for sharing
AH! EXCELLENT INFORMATION, THANK YOU GOOD SIR! MY NEIGHBOUR AND ANOTHER USER WERE TELLING ME FOR 12FT SPAN I NEED TO USE 2x10’S 16OC AT MINIMUM. WHY I WENT FOR DOUBLE 2X6’s. GUESS I WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING A DANCE PARTY IN THE SLEEPING LOFT! MAY THE GODS BLESS YOU. BOTH THE OLD GODS AND THE NEW 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
Love your posts man.. Your sense of humour is priceless, especially when one works alone. As a retired builder I don’t analyse your methods but instead just enjoy your progress and your own style of doing things. Good on ya mate, I wish you all the best.
GOOD SIR O’NEILL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND POST. INDEED, WORKING ALONE IN THE WOODS ONE MUST GET WHACKY TO KEEP ONE’S SELF ENTERTAINED! 😎😆 AS A RETIRED BUILDER PLEASE DO LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BUILDING TECHNIQUES/METHODS, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT AS I HAVE SEVERAL MORE BUILDINGS AHEAD OF ME TO BUILD! AS A COMPLETE NOVICE THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION TO LEARN ABOUT CONSTRUCTION. STRENGTH AND HONOUR TO YOU! 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
I have just binged every video you have posted, as a fellow ontarian, from down near windosr, I am incredibly blown away with all that you have managed to accomplish so far! Keep up the great work man, I can't wait to see more!!
Plastic sheeting stapled on the inside would probably be the cheapest solution to block the wind. You could also use radiant barrier and reuse it somewhere else later.
Alot of good comments, please keep reading them. Fix crown on floor joist, remove washer on carriage bolt, and definetely glue down the sub floor. When you get to the floor on the main level make sure you research proper vapor barrier and insulation as well rodent block. Kepp up the good work.
You are living the dream! Can't wait to see what you create on this land! You're right up there with the best. Just keep being yourself. I can't wait for your episodes, so you're doing something right.
Your hard work has been amazing. As someone who literally knows nothing about construction, to see someone with limited experience like yourself kicking ass on building your first cabin, it is quite inspiring.
Hey! Get yourself a throw ball and a nice 100ft rope and pull it over that way! Just remember to not cut off your holding wood if you’re doing it solo!
James, in conjunction to your scaffold, at 5' make a half outer platform and a half inner platform for the top. You'll be able to load the lower, then transfer to the top without using ropes. 5' increments buddy! Too bad you don't have the aluminum platforms, makes life easier! Your doing great!
You mentioned the gap between the 2x8’s on two of your laminated floor joists. Without being there and getting a closer look, it could be that you have the crowns on your 2x8’s opposite. You may have gotten lucky on your other joists when laminating them together. All lengths of lumber will have a crown. It won’t take you long to remove the joist, the 5 screws and flip one of your 2x8’s and then laminate them back together. And when installing the joists, the crown always on top
I used to work in trees for several years, you want to use your heavy rope and your come along to pull some of those trees over that are leaning the wrong way. Get the rope as high as you can then run it out the direction you want it to fall. Use one of your other straps as a tree saver on the tree you're going to be pulling from then attach your come along to the tree saver and the rope. Get your face cut in the tree you're dropping then put some tension on the rope but not a whole lot. It doesn't usually take much. Once you've got some tension go ahead and start your back cut and just slowly ease it over the way you want. Make sure to leave plenty of holding wood at your hinge.
One other thought (and please discount this if you feel it is too overly cautious) would be to create a very simple hang for your shotgun (both on the inside of the cabin and the exterior) so you do not have to worry about it falling into the mud and potentially getting gummed up. Could be as simple as a couple of spikes (one for under the barrel and another for near the butt) or a piece of wood. Just a safety thought! Keep up the good work!! Cabin coming along nicely!!
Thank you for continuing to fuel my Saturdays. Hope to see you in the Cabin soon, I keep telling my girlfriend about how the snow is melting and the bears will be out soon and we are concerned for your safety. Can’t wait to see that roof on!!!
AIR HORN & Bear Spray together is what I'd carry in a fanny pack at all times, as shouting doesn't always work to scare the bear, but they really don't like an Air Horn!! 🐻 Nice work on your loft, it's solid & looks great!! 👍👍
You need some sort of skidder for pulling the logs from where you are harvesting your timber. Your 4 wheeler may be enough to pull timber from the forest. Of course by now, you may be finished. I know how long it takes to film edit and upload each segment. So glad Xander introduced you to us!
If you can watch a video by Traplines and Inlines, he made a logging arch trailer that he pulled behind his atv and truck! They work great ! As for falling that tree! Get a ladder and a rope and a comealong ! Lean the ladder against the tree, tie the rope around the tree as high as you can reach! Find a tree in the direction that you want to fall it and attach the comealong to the tree and the end of the rope and tighten it up! Notch the tree and drop it where you want it! Easy !!!
Regarding your widow maker tree: Throw a rope as far up the tree, getting it snagged over a branch. Shimmy the rope in the tree as close to the trunk as you can, but not more than 3/4 of the way up. Tie a slip or overhand knot, feed the other end of the rope through it. Then walk with the rope in your hand to the direction you want the tree to fall. Tie the rope off to another tree and carefully & gently cut the widow maker at a 45 degree downward angle away from you (about 4’ from ground). Also, make a straight cut in back of the 45 degree cut. Otherwise It’s going to snap and swing because of the tension. So try and anticipate it. Then take the remaing 4’ stump off.
Log Arch for hauling your lumber and logs / Princess Auto: $ 399 for the front and $249 for the rear trailer. I am looking at these as well. I might try the rear trailer only and ratchet / tie down the other end on the bike. Enjoy the videos! I am in the planning stages for my cabin and after watching your video, I am convinced butt and pass is the way to go for my cabin. Thanks
I'm 66, you're living the dream I had 40 years ago but let life get in the way. Just know there is someone out here living through you vicariously. I first saw you on Xander's channel and have watched every one of your episode since. Keep living your dream and don't let anything get in your way. You have a fan.
GOOD SIR GRAVES, THANK YOU FOR THE TOUCHING COMMENT. IT MAKES ME REALIZE HOW LUCKY I AM TO BE IN MY POSITION, DESPITE THE STRUGGLES. YOU INSPIRE ME TO REDOUBLE MY EFFORTS. STRENGTH AND HONOUR 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
James, you not lucky to be there. You made it happen.
I also once wanted to do what you do, but ultimately decided to do other things in my life.
So, it’s lovely to be able to follow your journey!
This is my dream too 😁 I'm 38 and hope soon I will start the journey on myself 💪 but for now I'm living James dream 😁
@@wildhomestead You really are. Im 23 now and i can feel that life is beginning to get in my way just like it had happened for Mr.Graves. Hopefully its truly never too late to do what You feel You really were destined for.
Same, I've seen you on xander video and can't stop watching. You do inspire and content is awesome but don't forget at the end of day you're doing this for yourself. So stay safe and all the best. Greetings from beautiful Poland 🇵🇱🇵🇱😊😁
A couple of important building tips moving forward:
1. Make sure to stagger your loft floor plywood. That will make the floor all tie together and be very sturdy
2. I’d recommend gluing the plywood down with “subfloor liquid nails”. You find that in a tube of caulking that applies with a caulking gun.
3. Make sure to put in a screw at the bottom and top of each of those blocks in between the joists. (Not just 1 screw)
4. The big carriage lag bolts you installed are designed to be installed without using the washer. I’d recommend you remove the washer.
5. When you install the floor and insulation in the cabin, make sure to use proper vapor barrier on the bottom so that moisture and gases in the earth don’t seep into your cabin.
6. VERY IMPORTANT: you’ll need a rodent block under the cabin floor, I would recommend a galvanized steel 1/4” square hardware netting. Don’t put a 1/2” plywood under your floor thinking it will keep the rodents out, they will chew right through plywood. This is how I would recommend building the floor:
- 1. Build your floor frame in a 8ft x 12ft section.
- 2. Apply a layer of 6 mill-10mill thickness black vapor barrier plastic sheathing with stainless steel staples.
- 3. Then over the top of the vapor barrier install the 1/4” square galvanized steel hardware netting with large staples or ultra wide head short nails.
- 4. Then flip that 8x12ft floor section up and over and lay it down into the floor are. Then you can secure it to the logs with lag bolts.
- 5. Then repeat the same with the next 8x12ft floor section and flip it up and over down into the 2nd floor area
- 6. After that’s complete you can install your floor insulation and plywood to tie it all in. (I would recommend you use rockwool insulation for the floor and ceiling of the cabin. Has a 25-37 percent higher R-value than fiberglass and has superior sound proofing qualities. It does well to absorb sounds. If you use plywood don’t forget to stagger the plywood and use subfloor glue.
- 7. I personally instead of using plywood, would use 16ft long 2x6 to give the floor that more traditional rough looking hardwood floor look. Or you can use plywood and install a rough-sawn wide plank hickory or oak hardwood floor over the top of the plywood for a more finished look.
(If you would of had a basement or at least a 2ft high crawlspace you could have built the floor using joist hangers and floor joists like you did in the loft and then after it was all done you would crawl under the cabin and staple up the vapor barrier and hardware netting. But since you don’t have any room to crawl under the floor once it’s built you kind of have to do it the way I outlined above.
P.S. too late now but to save time and to make it easier, when you install wood joists into hangers, you normally measure and mark all your hangers, install those first and then just lay your wood joists in place.
HAPPY BUILDING!
I don't know where you're from, but code here says use washers for those carriage bolts!
Show us your cabin you built.
I would add that the ply flooring needs to be perpendicular to the joists (& rafters) for maximum strength /bracing
@@js2743 relax……I’m just offering some friendly building tips. It’s pretty obvious that in every video he specifically mentions that he’d like us to offer building tips and advice, and that’s what I’m doing. 🤷🏻♂️ in the end, it’s his cabin and his choice.. he can take our advice or leave it.
@@donaldhofman5257 the carriage bolts have that wide head specifically so they don’t require a washer. They bite better and hold in the wood better without a large washer…
Im taking a MAN in my tent! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Brilliant
Then take some Balzac when you wake up 🤭😅🫣
lol that was James gold 😉
Need that on a tshirt !
To save Thors red oak you can use a felling Jack. It is used to change the direction the tree id leaning
You know what would be a good episode? Do a price breakdown or an estimate of what it takes with all the tools, lumber and etc to build.. I think everyone would enjoy that.
please
Yes Would definitely love a breakdown
Sheep’s wool is a really underrated insulator.
Agree. I knit wool socks for winter, so much warmer than store bought.
There was a hobby farmer near me, not long ago that was giving away fleeces for free! I was so tempted to get them 😂
I have binged every episode until now, over the last 7 days.....Absolutely loving it!!
WELCOME TO WILD HOMESTEAD, GOOD SIR J! YOUR PASSIONATE VIEWERSHIP IS MOST GREATLY APPRECIATED. MAY THE GODS BLESS YOU! BOTH THE OLD GODS AND THE NEW. 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
Not long ago I finished restoring a 200 year old log house in the middle of Norway. The insulation I found between the logs was moss, but also rags from old clothes, mostly made of wool. In Norway we say the log walls shrink about an inch to the meter, but we normally use logs cut at least a year before we use them.
One idè about your walkway to the tent, would be to make a little raised boardwalk of some of the logs you have left. But since you choose to use gravel, you should have put a sheet of something between the dirt and the gravel, to prevent the gravel from being “eaten” by the dirt.
I love your show, and have a hard time waiting for you to release the next, and the next.. Keep up the good work, and at least one Norwegian Viking is watching and hoping for you to succeed💪🏼👍🏼
Another Norwegian here! 😄👍 Love this show!
Use the bark from debarking in front of the tent - it's free and doesn't leave dust on your boots
It can be murder on your allergies if you have them as it decomposes with all the fungus that'll be in there.
Yes! This is the answer. Functionally the gravel is good enough... but before too long it will sink into the mud and disappear. The bark won't do that as readily since the pieces are bigger- but even if it does, there is a virtually endless free supply.
Lay out the bark strips and scatter the gravel over it in the higher traffic areas. I think the unevenness of the gravel could help clean out the boot tread. It would also make great fire starter when it’s dried out.
You just built the biggest litter box for mountain lions outside the tent! 😀
Hey Buddy, next time you are in town grab a 3'-4' piece of 1-inch Schedule 40 PVC and slide it over the rope on the sled you pull behind the Wolf. It will keep your sled from running into the four-wheeler and avoid the risk of busting it up. Just as an FYI, your current hammer is likely a 16 oz. finish hammer. It will work, but yeah, it takes a lot of swings to get'r done. A 24 OZ framing Hammer would be a good investment. A lot of them have waffle heads which can mar up your logs so keep that in mind and consider finding one with a smooth head. Regarding your trailer for the Wolf, keep in mind you will need something that can work in the winter and summer and something geared for hauling freight. I've seen freight trailers that other guys are using that you can swap out tires in the summer for skis in the winter so you tow them behind a four-wheeler or a snowmobile as conditions dictate. I'm sure they are a bit pricey but unless you plan on building a road to your permanent cabin it would be a good investment for future builds.
helpful advice
Honestly a single seadoo trailer, or a skinny John boat trailer might be your best bet for hauling logs and beams with the ATV.
Reason being is they're skinny, relatively long, and don't usually weigh much, but can take a bit of weight, and beating. And usually cheap on FB marketplace or Kijiji.
My wife suggests boiling the lemon peel then adding the Lemon juice to that water with some Maple syrup and if available some fresh ginger.
The skins are full of chemicals and boiling them would ensure a good healthy dose of toxic intake
Maybe th waxed skins, we only get organic where I live
@This_is_handle_This_ismy_Spout even organic has to be sprayed with repellent for lemon worms
@@MGE9436 thank you
I think it's pretty clear to most viewers that this guy doesn't exactly know what he's doing and he's figuring it out as he's going along. I just wanted to mention that I think that's actually something I respect and it will be interesting to see how he improves as time goes on. I think for other people who are considering doing something similar it's a much more realistic comparison than some of the other "homestead/survival" channels out there. He seems to be taking on advice and feedback from the internet too which is very smart both from a PR perspective and for his overall success at building his homestead.
Is it just me or are you getting funnier with each episode? 😂 either the isolation is making you loopy or your humor has grown on me 😅
He really is a funny guy!
Ooga Booga!
@@lzevon yes, exactly that 😅
It's the faces and grunting that gets me..😅
Just a suggestion here. You can buy water tanks to mount to your stove. Great for melting snow, always having hot water available, and an added bonus, they act as thermal mass
great advice
The humidity will help too.
Yessss !!!! Immediately stopped watching another video when I saw this one was released , oooga boooga James , may the wolf milk flow like a Canadian river
GREETINGS TO YOU GOOD SIR IN NIPPON 🇯🇵 THANK YOU FOR YOUR PASSIONATE SUPPORT! MAY THE GODS BLESS YOU. BOTH THE OLD GODS AND THE NEW 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
You make a fellow Canadian not feel so homesick with your videos , that and I go to Costco here and eat pizza and a hot dog
Make sure you "crown up" your joists
Saturday morning......and it's time for the ritual of watching the cabin build!
It's refreshing to find people that are not afraid to ask for opinions, instead of acting like they know everything because they have a channel, You are fun to watch-thanks for sharing!
Im an arborist 10 yrs in the trade in southern Ontario. If you just have basic gear you can add a weight of 14oz or so to a long string. Use it to throw up in the tree and tie a strong pull line on to your tree using a running bowline. And use a come along to pull the tree backward. Or just get the rope tight tied completely behind the tree almost like a limiting line so the tree cant fail toward the oak so the tree will land 90* from where its tied. Sorry for the poor explanation. Also be very careful because poplar gets really mushy when its that dead. Or if your really unsure and skeched il just come do it for ya for free on my way up to our property in the spring. Its in matachawan are you any where near or on the way ?
Hero
My dad used to take a 30 minute nap after dinner at noon! After that he was good for another 8 hours of hard physical labor! He was 75 when i was 18 and he could work all the neighbors and me in the ground! He was very strong!
They sell rolls of chinking felt, there's also straight up wool fiber you can stuff between the logs. Neither are ridged and won't crack when the logs shrink, you'll just have to add more in the gaps that develop... or you use moss, leaves and mud/clay like the ancestors did.
I started building log cabin when I was 14, I decided to build a home cabin with the family and now building one beside the river and decided to have my UA-cam channel
You’re doing a great job to Sir! Love your work!
a "smitty sled" might come in handy for you. it's a common style of sled built for ice fishing and can be built very cheaply, especially if you're able to get ahold of some old downhill skis for cheap/free. You can mount your plastic sled on top of it and it will definitely help if you have to pull a sled through deeper snow
you could probably even build a long smitty sled that is capable of hauling those long boards
I’m glad that I’m not the only one who eats the entire apple
Hi my Darling Nana Lin Here Wife. Mum of 4 Grown ups. Quite a few Grandkids. I have been with you from the very Start. When i watched you put on part of your Loft Roofing today, I was so proud of you Standing on it like the King of your Cabin. You have achieved so mich by yourself with very little help. We hope to move in 3 years to buy a Home with 10 Acres of Land. We also want to buy a few Acres in Minnisota to go out on Holiday every year. Being British we can only stay for 3 Months.. Is is my Dream to live off grid, yes i know it will be a Holiday Home but I want others to Experience the Life off Grid for an Experience to remembe, though it would only be for a Couple of weeks a year for them. it will give them a little taste of what the Life could be like if they choose that kind of Life. They can Garden and really get those Hands in the Soil. Gardening is very big in our lives. We all get so used to our Comforts i say F that. i Love the Coffee Name someone had the Balls to call it what they called it. ,Take care until the next Ep x
I've got my 3 year old and 1 1/2 year old daughters saying "Ooooga Boooga" now. Your videos are our favorite early Saturday morning activity. May the gods continue to inspire your efforts sir. Be well.
James , don't ever stop saying ooga booga !! , I too say it now every morning when i drink my coffee with honey haha , stay true to yourself , we're all here for because of it , Fantastic channel , now in my top 3 for sure 🐺
Honest to God, I couldn't stop smiling while watching this. Great progress!
I’ve used spray foam insulation for my barn before. Once the foam is sprayed, you shouldn’t have any weird smell! Just the initial application.
This is the best off grid programme! Thanks for your humor!
GOOD LADY ROSS, THANK YOU KINDLY FOR YOUR WARM SUPPORT! MAY THE GODS BLESS YOU! BOTH THE OLD GODS AND THE NEW 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
Good Sir, your optimism and energy are most inspiring. Maybe the cold immersions and the hot coffee help? Our local temp max was 38C today! Greetings and Felicitations from Australia.
GOOD SIR CONAN, 38C! I WOULD MELT INTO A PUDDLE OF SWEAT! OZZIES ARE THE WARM WEATHER WARRIOR VERSIONS OF CANADIANS NO DOUBT. STRENGTH AND HONOUR! 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
The baby Moose in the intro is uncontrollably cute.
Just watching episode 13, and my boyfriend had suggested rock wool safe and sound insulation as an alternative to spray foam 👍🏼
Loving following along on this journey!!!
This is almost like watching the film “The Martian” with Matt Damon, you’re all alone, working on survival and even your beard and hair are growing like his 😂 love the series dude!! Keep it up
In that ledger board you can put a slot in board on bottom . install screw with washer . It will slip with any shrinkage or expansion. The upper screw can be installed as normal with no slot.
The only bad ting about your videos, is when they end!!! I look forward to them each Saturday.
5 pull-ups, after pounding in huge nails into green wood, wearing winter clothes and heavy boots....you got our respect my nephew
I'm watching this, drinking my coffee and thinking........... ooga booga 🐺 ⚡️
Love your stuff! You can protect Thor’s Red Oak by attaching a “come-along” to the dead poplar and a solid tree in the opposite direction. Hope that helps!
Moving along nice, love watching the process.
That birch bark will help with your fires too as well as if the tap the birch tree, you can have some birch water it is very good and healthy. Add some blueberries and have a yummy beverage.
Binge watching since yesterday - love your tenacity and fun demeanor. I hope you find your lady & have lots of babies.
I've been watching since the first episode. It is very satisfying to see your cabin coming together and to watch your experience unfold. Praying your journey in nature is renewing and that you find new perspectives in Truth 🙏 God bless you my friend.
An alternative to the spray foam is Raw or a little processed sheep's wool. I suppose to get the sheep smell out of the wool it'll have to be somewhat processed. Sheep's wool is a very good insulator, even better if it's been treated with a fire retardent.
Nothing better than start the saturday with some coffe and a new episode of Wild Homestead. Love it man:)
Search around for someone selling straw bales. They're great for natural mud barrier.
You’re a beast, this is the best build on youtube right now.
Awesome project and life you are living my friend. I think you would like using a speed square. Use it as a rip guide when making 90 degree cuts with your circular saw.
Love this series! I take my two Irish Wolfhounds out for dog training (well, Irish setters...!) and then come back, make coffee (sweetened with Maple Syrup, Obvs!) and settle down for a watch!
Love what youre doing.
And as others have said, Wool is a *superb* insulator..much undervalued. My dads wood build home in France is insulated with tons of the stuff and is warm as you like!
So where would the maple syrup man get some wool from in outback Canada.
I love watching these! I have been missing UA-cam after TK came out and this has been my go to every week. I dream of this since I was a teen and to watch this with my kid is such an amazing thing. I like how you are conscious of your surroundings and conscious of the earth you are building on :)
I have been watching since day one man and im so happy how far you have gotten. You can tell how excited you get with each video getting closer to fulfilling your dream. Once the cabin is done there is nothing getting between you and your wife and 10 children lets goo
Man nap delight!!thought you might have of jumped up top of loaft doing a homer holler,lol.Great progress James.
GOOD LADY MAY! HOMER HOLLERS ARE GREAT! MAY YOU HAVE A MOST MAGICAL SATURDAY INDEED! STRENGTH AND HONOUR 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
very good the dwarves have blessed us again
Hi James, you mentioned that you cannot screw the bottom end of your beam because you need to let the logs shrink and settle first.
Common practice when screwing vertical framing in logs is cutting a vertical slot in the wood to allow for this movement. To stop the screw from pulling through use a washer. This will allow you to secure the beam and allow movement. This should also be used around the windows and doorframes.
Keep on the good work 💪.
Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
Oega Boegaaaaaa 💪💪💪
Good morning brother!!!
Wow, everything is really coming together!!
Super proud of you and all you have safely accomplished so far and also with tonnes of fun.
I stumbled across this amazing Channel and content about a week ago and after the very first video I watched I instantly became addicted!!
Wolf Milk, all of your hilarious Mythology, Acting, Comedy and also your doing and learning is awesome!!
This is completely different from every other channel in so many ways.
Filled with excitement, comedy and building!!
Thank you for creating this amazing channel and sharing with all of us.
Can’t wait for the next one !!!
I want to ship you some Pure Maple Syrup from here in Nova Scotia!!!
OOOGAA BOOGAA!!!
ekosani
To my Canadian neighbor, I find it refreshing that a “worldly” man chooses to return to a simpler, honest existence. Other than the motives you’ve mentioned already, I suspect your motivation also includes the freedom, and independence, to live your life and to raise your family with your values. Best to you and God bless.
Suggestion from my wife. Take a tarp and wrap lumber in the tarp like a burrito with ratchet straps. Then tie rope to the tarp and pull the tarp. Worth a try. Good videos, so thank you!
For moving logs with a 4 wheeler I would recommend an ATV Log Hauler!
Thanks James, watching your progress makes my week! 🙏❤️
I absolutely love your channel…. I’m stuck in the house with an illness that have disabled me and I really look forward to seeing your show I love bushcraft
Just imagine how bougie you will feel when you get hot running water in the cabins XD No more freezing river wash dances, unless you like it so much you keep doing it I guess.
James, you’re killing it man. I have 10 acres off grid in the parry sound area that I built a Bunkie on, you’re inspiring me to get off my ass and do the log cabin I always dreamed off. Love you’re content keep it up and thankyou ❤
Hi james run a 4x4 drag chain as high up poplar as you can tie a rope to the end of it or use multiple chains and pull the line or chain as tight as you can then face the poplar to suit as you put your back cut in to fell the tree the weight of the chain will keep on pulling the poplar tree away from the red oak also make u plunge cut above or below the back cut if you know how and drive in a steel or alloy wedge as they drive in better and will give better lift also use a sledge hammer to drive it to deal with the widow maker aka dead limb thats broken off pick a safe direction and use a slug load from your shot gun to hit the limb to break it in half or knock it down as thats a lot of punch and wont go far or use a normal shot gun shell and if its a long brass cut through around the outside of the shell case but dont cut through the centre as you dont want to cut the shotgun shell wad even leave 1/8 th inch of outer case uncut if you want to as when you fire the gun the shot and front of the shotgun shell case will fire iut of barrel as solid unit same as a slug load until it hits something solid then break up and create havoc on animal or tree that you hit if your going to use that trick on a animal such as bear etc score down the side of the case to weaken it a bit and put a few cuts like a x in end of the shelk crimp to weaken it sow it blows apart easier but dot use them or slug loads in a shotgun barrel with a choke other than improved cylinder or no choke at all or you will bulge the barrel and wreck it id also use sheep wool from insulation batts or cotton for calking wooden boats or something like that but sheeps wool would work best as its got lanolin oil in it best of luck love how your going with building your home its looking great
Saturday night ritual of cabin/james watching complete. I love Saturdays now. Keep up the great work. 👍
If you need ground cover to deal with the mud I suggest using your abundance of wood chips and saw dust you have. Works great, is free, and readily available
Hi, retired architect, a few rules of thumb, a 2x6 will span 12 ft at 16” on center. Doubling up the floor joist and placing 12” on center is over engineering the floor system. It is also using more material than you need, you may consider this as you move forward. Love the channel. Thanks for sharing
AH! EXCELLENT INFORMATION, THANK YOU GOOD SIR! MY NEIGHBOUR AND ANOTHER USER WERE TELLING ME FOR 12FT SPAN I NEED TO USE 2x10’S 16OC AT MINIMUM. WHY I WENT FOR DOUBLE 2X6’s. GUESS I WON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING A DANCE PARTY IN THE SLEEPING LOFT! MAY THE GODS BLESS YOU. BOTH THE OLD GODS AND THE NEW 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
Love your posts man..
Your sense of humour is priceless, especially when one works alone.
As a retired builder I don’t analyse your methods but instead just enjoy your progress and your own style of doing things.
Good on ya mate, I wish you all the best.
GOOD SIR O’NEILL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND POST. INDEED, WORKING ALONE IN THE WOODS ONE MUST GET WHACKY TO KEEP ONE’S SELF ENTERTAINED! 😎😆 AS A RETIRED BUILDER PLEASE DO LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BUILDING TECHNIQUES/METHODS, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT AS I HAVE SEVERAL MORE BUILDINGS AHEAD OF ME TO BUILD! AS A COMPLETE NOVICE THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION TO LEARN ABOUT CONSTRUCTION. STRENGTH AND HONOUR TO YOU! 🫡🤝⚡️🐺🌲
Thanks for the videos I have really been enjoying them. I can't wait to see the end result.
Watched since the first episode and been sucked in ever since, keep it up love the process
This guy is inspiring major progress on this one, sending support from Australia
Safety glasses brother. Keep those precious pupils protected. Can’t replace em.
I have just binged every video you have posted, as a fellow ontarian, from down near windosr, I am incredibly blown away with all that you have managed to accomplish so far! Keep up the great work man, I can't wait to see more!!
It's time for James and you know what to do folks, just relax and inhale! WOLFMILK🐺
Plastic sheeting stapled on the inside would probably be the cheapest solution to block the wind. You could also use radiant barrier and reuse it somewhere else later.
Alot of good comments, please keep reading them. Fix crown on floor joist, remove washer on carriage bolt, and definetely glue down the sub floor. When you get to the floor on the main level make sure you research proper vapor barrier and insulation as well rodent block. Kepp up the good work.
You are living the dream! Can't wait to see what you create on this land! You're right up there with the best. Just keep being yourself. I can't wait for your episodes, so you're doing something right.
Your hard work has been amazing. As someone who literally knows nothing about construction, to see someone with limited experience like yourself kicking ass on building your first cabin, it is quite inspiring.
Should look in to an end-of-year sale on a Quonset or something. (For the ATV & Tools) Super easy to put up. A man needs a garage. Gods Bless.
Hey! Get yourself a throw ball and a nice 100ft rope and pull it over that way! Just remember to not cut off your holding wood if you’re doing it solo!
James, in conjunction to your scaffold, at 5' make a half outer platform and a half inner platform for the top. You'll be able to load the lower, then transfer to the top without using ropes. 5' increments buddy! Too bad you don't have the aluminum platforms, makes life easier! Your doing great!
You mentioned the gap between the 2x8’s on two of your laminated floor joists. Without being there and getting a closer look, it could be that you have the crowns on your 2x8’s opposite. You may have gotten lucky on your other joists when laminating them together.
All lengths of lumber will have a crown. It won’t take you long to remove the joist, the 5 screws and flip one of your 2x8’s and then laminate them back together.
And when installing the joists, the crown always on top
I used to work in trees for several years, you want to use your heavy rope and your come along to pull some of those trees over that are leaning the wrong way. Get the rope as high as you can then run it out the direction you want it to fall. Use one of your other straps as a tree saver on the tree you're going to be pulling from then attach your come along to the tree saver and the rope. Get your face cut in the tree you're dropping then put some tension on the rope but not a whole lot. It doesn't usually take much. Once you've got some tension go ahead and start your back cut and just slowly ease it over the way you want. Make sure to leave plenty of holding wood at your hinge.
Hi bougabouga, from Phil, a frenchman from Nice but Australian now for 30 years in Melbourne . Can't wait to see your cabin completed
Bud check the roof of your tent looks blackened around the fire vent might go up in flames. 11.45
That is def burning on that fabric
One other thought (and please discount this if you feel it is too overly cautious) would be to create a very simple hang for your shotgun (both on the inside of the cabin and the exterior) so you do not have to worry about it falling into the mud and potentially getting gummed up. Could be as simple as a couple of spikes (one for under the barrel and another for near the butt) or a piece of wood. Just a safety thought! Keep up the good work!! Cabin coming along nicely!!
Thank you for continuing to fuel my Saturdays. Hope to see you in the Cabin soon, I keep telling my girlfriend about how the snow is melting and the bears will be out soon and we are concerned for your safety. Can’t wait to see that roof on!!!
It's amazing how far you have come and how much you have learned and progressed! Still so much more to go, I so look forward to it!
Double 2x6 joists 12” on center is super solid, especially considering the anticipated load - great work.
AIR HORN & Bear Spray together is what I'd carry in a fanny pack at all times, as shouting doesn't always work to scare the bear, but they really don't like an Air Horn!! 🐻
Nice work on your loft, it's solid & looks great!! 👍👍
You need some sort of skidder for pulling the logs from where you are harvesting your timber. Your 4 wheeler may be enough to pull timber from the forest. Of course by now, you may be finished. I know how long it takes to film edit and upload each segment. So glad Xander introduced you to us!
Looks great James!👍 Stay safe out there with the bears and everything.
4:20 fell madly in love with a grocer from Balzac Alberta lol
Love my Saturday Mornings drinking coffee and watching you build your cabin. Keep up the great work!
If you can watch a video by Traplines and Inlines, he made a logging arch trailer that he pulled behind his atv and truck! They work great ! As for falling that tree! Get a ladder and a rope and a comealong ! Lean the ladder against the tree, tie the rope around the tree as high as you can reach! Find a tree in the direction that you want to fall it and attach the comealong to the tree and the end of the rope and tighten it up! Notch the tree and drop it where you want it! Easy !!!
Regarding your widow maker tree:
Throw a rope as far up the tree, getting it snagged over a branch. Shimmy the rope in the tree as close to the trunk as you can, but not more than 3/4 of the way up.
Tie a slip or overhand knot, feed the other end of the rope through it. Then walk with the rope in your hand to the direction you want the tree to fall. Tie the rope off to another tree and carefully & gently cut the widow maker at a 45 degree downward angle away from you (about 4’ from ground). Also, make a straight cut in back of the 45 degree cut. Otherwise It’s going to snap and swing because of the tension. So try and anticipate it.
Then take the remaing 4’ stump off.
Log Arch for hauling your lumber and logs / Princess Auto: $ 399 for the front and $249 for the rear trailer. I am looking at these as well. I might try the rear trailer only and ratchet / tie down the other end on the bike. Enjoy the videos! I am in the planning stages for my cabin and after watching your video, I am convinced butt and pass is the way to go for my cabin. Thanks
would love to see some footage of you going to town, shopping, wood order, getting gas, etc....
Wuhuuu, finally new episode 🎉🎉😅 OOGA BOOGA
Man, i've been watching this guy from the start. I am still wondering why he doesnt have 100k subs yet