In the March 2012 issue of TimberLine, Larry.Andresen described his dream project. Here, Larry explains the scope of his project in more detail.
Editor’s note: In the March 2012 issue of Timber Line, Larry.Andresen described his dream project, which includes building a 3,000 sq ft woodworking shop/garage with a 1,400 sq ft residence above. The design of the building was primarily to accommodate the sawing, processing and storing of lumber and space for special wood working projects. As the project continues, Larry explains the scope of his project in more detail.
The shop area is 72’ long by 30’ wide with 24’ x 12’ wings protruding from the middle of the building on each side. Inside the shop are three 24’ long x 12’ wide lofts for storing lumber. The shop walls and rafters are made from solid logs sawn flat on one or two sides. The walls were put together by sawing logs to create an 8” to 10” flat face on two sides then stacked with corners alternatively crossed and notched to fit together.
When constructing the log walls and compression was the only load factor, using any locally available species was acceptable and we used a mix of ponderosa pine, Jeffery pine and various other types of fir. For headers over the doorways and for the structural timber trusses, we used hem fir. For the roof and floor decking, we used ponderosa pine and Jeffery pine.
Once the walls were finished, we started working on the rafters and the trusses. Roof trusses were constructed on site using Wood-Mizer sawn timbers. The trusses are set on top of the twenty foot tall log walls with the living area created from using the open space within the trusses. In this area, skylights not only work well for light, but are also perfect for taking in the mountain and skyline views.
The roof plywood was the ONLY lumber that had to be purchased for this project, as all other lumber was sawn from logs on the Wood-Mizer.
The roof has 26 4’X8’ skylights and 8 more that are shaped to form the octagon configuration at the ridge intersection. The floor is constructed under “Heavy Timber Construction” guidelines using 3” tongue and grove planking spanning 4’ and will be finished with 1” tongue and grove pine.
After 17 years, my 1995 Wood- Mizer LT40HDG24 is still running just fine and judging from experience with my Wood-Mizer, I expect it will easily last the rest of my life and probably for years beyond. I’ve never had a log that was too big to saw. With the bed extension, sawing logs over
30’ becomes easy. This efficiently engineered and easy to operate sawmill has been a joy to own and operate. Going from working outside in cold snow and ice conditions to having a 3000’ enclosed/heated shop is a “Dream Come True!”
About the Author: Larry.Andresen is the President of Andresen Construction, Inc., in Truckee, CA, an Excavation Contracting business, providing excavation and building services since 1979. More project photos at www.woodmizer.com.
Editor’s note: The preceding was paid advertorial by Wood-Mizer. 1.800.553.0182 woodmizer.com
