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Viperedpete1958
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2016 04:13am
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Well i am a Rebel and i am tired of the BS with bylaws neighbours etc .tried with real estate to buy house gave it up its a rigged system in ontario so gonna try to buy some property in an un organized township and build what i like and yes there is lots to learn so i ask questions!
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Green_Wizard
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# Posted: 27 Oct 2016 08:49pm
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I'm currently turning an old wood shed on wheels into a small 12'x8' off-grid movable cabin. I have a small farm in South-Western Ontario and I've always wanted to be able to have a hide-a-way on top of our hills for the winter and move it during planting/growing season into the bush for the spring/summer/fall months.
My plans are off grid 12vDC for LED lighting and a cigarette adapter for emergency phone charging. A small 2'x1'x1' wood stove for heat with a large flat top for cooking on.
I'm having problems "detaching" from chores and life some days. I hope this cabin will help me slow down and relax (and catch up on reading!). I also hope to use it as a guest house as our farm house is quite unique and quite quaint.
I found this forum by simply Googling the dimensions of my cabin and I'm so glad I did! I'm really looking forward to interacting with fellow enthusiasts and folk of like mind. I have lots to learn and I'll be mainly focusing on renewable energy as I hope this cabin is a stepping stone in transitioning my farm to completely renewable energy.
Looking forward to new friendships!
- GW
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wgiles
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# Posted: 9 Jan 2017 01:25pm
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I'm retired now and I like to build things. One of these days, I'd like to acquire some property that I can build a retreat cabin on. I am always interested in ideas and experiences that I might learn from. I don't have any specific plan right now as each potential site lends itself to a different approach. I have a lot of experience in construction and engineering and hope to be able to help others along the way.
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RobWnzl
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# Posted: 9 Jan 2017 06:50pm
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To be succinct - I come here to enjoy you all ... your wisdom, skills, advice, comments, humor, and perspectives.
Whether it's Creekys obvious knowledge and predilection for lithium solar solutions, Gary O's down-to-earth assessments on life, Toyota_mdt_tech's explanation of electrical installations, each of you have insights and life experiences that are beneficial (and humorous at times)!
Frankly, there are times when I read simply to slow down my fast-paced life and breath in the real world where the basics are preferred and dreams are realized.
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JasonB
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# Posted: 19 Jan 2017 09:07am
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Met Gary O. on another forum, and he suggested I swing by here.
I'm nearing the completion of a crude raw-log cabin, 12 x 8, built entirely with hand tools by 2 fellows, following the basics laid out in the book "Camp and Trail Methods". Really enjoying myself, too!
The woods is my happy place.
J
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1967seniorsgt
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# Posted: 7 Mar 2017 11:39pm
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I guess my quest for a cabin started in the mid 70s when teaching my sons to draw the sketch was always a cabin with a stream in the front yard. Well the Air Force stationed me in Michigans upper peninsula and that is where I have decided to stay. I didn't start looking for property till mar 2014.we had to snowshoe in to look at it and standing in the clearing I told my son where I was standing was going to be one corner of cabin.
600 ft driveway to cabin
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this is where im at now
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it sits on 12 inch piers
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10 inch floor joists
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1967seniorsgt
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2017 12:04am
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it is a frame structure with 2x8 hewn log siding, 2x6 walls with spray foam insulation, a12/12 pitch metal roof and a 10x10 loft. The size is 20x26 with an 8 x26 porch
put up 3 walls myself but had my garandsons do last one
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wrapping up for 1st winter
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pricey but i think up here that foam will be worth it
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started siding june 2015
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1967seniorsgt
Member
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2017 12:22am
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a couple more pics . Did stay in it this past deer season very cozy
the loft prefinished tG pine
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siding done
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t&g done started hearth
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hickory floor down
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1967seniorsgt
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2017 12:33am
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I m have mentioned the sketch had a trout stream
camp does too down stream
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upstream
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sample of whats in there
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stairs are in with a pantry underneath
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brians
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2017 11:02am
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I just joined the site and love the content. I have 40 acres in central Illinois, good forest but mostly black oak with other species mixed in. I want to build a cabin on the property but have no real carpentry experience. I have been collecting fallen trees and ready to drop a number of standing dead black oak trees to be milled. I don't have a design yet, exact style but know I want to build a cabin. Wont be a log cabin probably stick or timber structure. Looking for advice, wisdom and any additional info I can find. Thanks Brian
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2017 12:05pm
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Do you need a storage shed at your house in town? That's where I started. Build that from scratch and you learn a lot. It's much easier when you are close to the lumber/hardware store and can go get a couple more 2x4s when you realized you measured wrong and cut them too short!
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1tentman
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# Posted: 19 Jul 2017 01:15pm
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brians
Welcome to the site,where in Ill are you located. My cabin is in west central Ill and built using alot of oak just like you are wanting to do with yours. I have found it is alot easier to cut green oaks and mill them and use for building than milling the dead trees. The first two trees I cut were dead oaks and the rest were live trees, I milled and made siding for the cabin. The cabin has been up for 4 years now and you can pick out every board from the dead trees. The dead lumber cracked and warped worse than the lumber from the live trees, wish I hadn't use those two trees for siding. The main structure is barn beams from a local barn that we tore down, with a loft in one end. If you are located close I would be glad to show you my cabin,maybe you could get some ideas.The one thing I can tell you is you are going to have fun building it. Good Luck.
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brians
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jul 2017 10:20am
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NorthRick
Yes, will definitely need a storage sheed, working on what to all put on the property but a play to keep the toys and equipment is a must, we do have a hardware store close by. Thanks
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brians
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# Posted: 27 Jul 2017 10:26am
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thanks for the reply. we are outside of Havana close to the river. Our property is loaded with Black Oak and i have a lot of standing dead trees. If you don't mind would greatly appreciate the chance to check out your cabin especially having used oak. Do you have any issues with it not holding up with weather? Hate cutting down live trees, do you think if I milled the dead trees and dried over a longer time that would eliminate the warping issue? Thanks Brian
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hdhp
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# Posted: 9 Aug 2017 06:38am
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Hi, I'm new here! I have some property in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. I bought it about 8 months ago and I plan on putting a 12X26 gambrel roof (Barn) cabin on it next year. if everything goes right. It will be totally off grid as there is no water or power on my property.
I just found this forum and it is just what I have been looking for!!
HDHP
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Rose Marie
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# Posted: 18 Sep 2017 10:58am
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Hi I'm new here. I'm newly retired (semi) and wanting to fix up my 500 s.f. off grid cabin in northern Ontario which needs a lot of stuff. I am not very strong nor mobile but have a good contractor willing to work up there. So far, I've filled a notebook with research but found this forum really interesting. Will try and keep up. Anyone with experience of following and can share would be much appreciated:
1. Champion 3400 Watt Inverter generator (in US its a 3100 W product).
2. Separett toilet from Sweden.
3. Allure plank flooring for a non-heated cottage. Temperatures can go down to minus 25 C in winter.
Thanks very much.
RM
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Youll1937
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# Posted: 11 Oct 2017 08:12am
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I am here to enjoy communication with nice bunch of people!
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WarPony
Member
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# Posted: 16 Jun 2018 06:24pm
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Hello. We bought a dry cabin in June of 2017 near Maple Hill, KS. For the past year, we've been upgrading almost the entire thing. New siding, insulation, windows..... blah, blah, blah. It's been a challenging but fun enterprise. My biggest concern is trying to find a rodent proof attic insulation. I won't do blow in hard foam... it's too permanent. Anyway, I'll post some pics later on.
Jeff
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MrPrice
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# Posted: 19 Jun 2018 09:01pm
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I love being outside. We purchased a 3.4 acre backlot/ .1 acre waterfront combo in Central Frontenac almost 3 years ago. Septic and well were installed but never used. There is hydro on both parcels. There were also 2- 10x20 Amish type bunnies on site. One was sold and the money went towards tree cutting, moving the bunkie, filling and grading. I built 2 sections of floating dock and an outhouse/ outdoor wash station that is gravity fed from a rain barrel and piped into the septic. I'm always puttering around with the sights sounds and smells of the great outdoors. Not sure where it will lead but just enjoying the journey.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 19 Jun 2018 11:40pm
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OK, looked through the threads and it doesn't appear i have posted.
I have always loved the outdoors, especially mountains, lakes, streams and evergreen trees. I have fulfilled a huge dream of mine to have a cabin in the woods.
I have fullfilled that, way more acreage than I would of thought, cabin is all done.
In fact, its went way beyond anything I had imagined and I keep thinking of more to do to add to it then I can physically keep up with. My mind is in a higher gear than my body.
I came here to gather information to start "my project" as the thread is called and now, I am able to contribute to others who are just starting out on the same venture.
I consider everyone in here friends and have gotten to know many of you over the years well, just not in person. 
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Gary O
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# Posted: 20 Jun 2018 07:08am
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Quoting: toyota_mdt_tech OK, looked through the threads and it doesn't appear i have posted. I have always loved the outdoors, especially mountains, lakes, streams and evergreen trees. I have fulfilled a huge dream of mine to have a cabin in the woods.I have fullfilled that, way more acreage than I would of thought, cabin is all done. In fact, its went way beyond anything I had imagined and I keep thinking of more to do to add to it then I can physically keep up with. My mind is in a higher gear than my body.I came here to gather information to start "my project" as the thread is called and now, I am able to contribute to others who are just starting out on the same venture. I consider everyone in here friends and have gotten to know many of you over the years well, just not in person
Thanks, tmt, for writing exactly what I was thinking ('cept for the 'way more acreage' note and the 'mind/body gear' deal...both are in a race to the bottom)
otherwise, yeah
and now, back to coveting 1967seniorsgt's pics
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 20 Jun 2018 07:11am
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Quoting: Gary O and now, back to coveting 1967seniorsgt's pics
and wall jacks
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Borrego
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# Posted: 20 Jun 2018 05:23pm
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Great post TMT....I forgot if I had ever posted so I checked and I had, way back in Dec, 2011! Can't believe it's been almost 8 years since then....saw some old familiar names, I wonder where they are....
Since my cabin is finished, I find myself offering more advice that I ask for, that might not be a good thing...
I started our project 10 years ago this year and it has been an incredible dream...now that the cabin proper is done, there are still many other smaller and 'fun' projects, not to mention the 'upkeep' on the cabin that now begins..
Gotta agree with you and Gary, the mind is still in 5th gear, the ole body sometimes struggles to keep up, stuck around 3rd somewhere
Bottom line as to why I am here.....still love the cabin experience, and like hanging around (even virtually) with kindred spirits...!
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Gary O
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# Posted: 20 Jun 2018 08:56pm
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Quoting: Borrego Bottom line as to why I am here.....still love the cabin experience, and like hanging around (even virtually) with kindred spirits...!
yup
Hey, Borrego, I haven't seen yer finished cabin. What I have seen is stunningly gorgeous. Please advise which thread.
(sorry for the OT)
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rick32
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# Posted: 27 Jun 2018 02:41am
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I'm interested in being "green" as you say
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manny
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# Posted: 5 Jul 2018 10:50am
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No reason to explain
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manny
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# Posted: 5 Jul 2018 11:10am
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I can breath, my blood pressure is more normal.I think im getting younger,
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Reice
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2018 09:08am
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Hello, nice to meet you all. I am here because I want out of the rat race mentality. Although we aren't going the route of building right away, many of the things discussed here goes along with what we are doing, as well. Can I still join?
We are about to move a small free mobile home of 840sqft onto some land we inherited. Eventually we want to build our own, but for now we are doing what we have to to get out there. Will be about 10 miles from a smallish town, already has well water, we haven't located the septic yet and are still unsure if we can use it, electric is near but will eventually go towards solar, I'll start gardening and the hubby is itching to start after the wild game out there.
I want to make the home as cabin-ish as possible. Am happy the home isn't going into the landfill and no new materials is used, so it's kind of green. Size wise it's just over our needs, but not too big for us empty nesters. The layout is perfect.
Once we are out there we can start working the land and really figure out what we do and don't want. Will be adding out buildings as we find/scavenge the materials.
Want to join so I can pick y'alls brains about black/grey water issues vs. installing septic, how to pick best areas for outbuilding and the building as such, and start incorporating less useage of grid power.
(waves to everyone)
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Rahworks
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# Posted: 27 Aug 2018 07:19am
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My lifelong dream (since about 10 years old) was to have a cabin in the woods. A retreat, or even a place to live. At 50 I bought the land (65 acres). At 53 I built the cabin. Now we have a 16 x 24 1-1/2 story cabin in the woods. The shell has just been completed. Now we need to power it, get a good water supply, heat, food prep, etc. So I’m here to learn and share.
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jerussel
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# Posted: 8 Oct 2018 03:08pm - Edited by: jerussel
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We bought a property in the Yukon with an old rustic log cabin (16ft by 20ft) on it and are restoring it. We hope to make it a little B&B and it has come in handy as a guest house. Joined this forum because I am curious to see what others are doing with their cabins! I just love old log cabins...
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