"If you are looking for a new and innovative way to build a log home or cabin, please read on. -
After years of wishing and hoping, we finally found a way to achieve our dream, and what started out as a "log shack" evolved into far more than we ever expected. With the help of a friend and log enthusiast, we were able to connect with Bill Lasko and the Lasko School of Log Building. After a few visits with Bill for preliminary preparations, we located our logs on land not far from our intended building site. That was in January, and by June, we had them cut, peeled, transported and bunked next to our foundation.
Bill and a few students arrived in mid-June and the first logs were taking shape. For the first few days, Bill instructed his students in the art of log building, and in a few days students were moving rapidly in the construction with Bill looking over their shoulder offering advice and helping with technique when necessary. Safety was a high priority in working with chain saws, heavy logs, and other tools.
Bill's knowledge and teaching methods were paramount to fulfilling our dream. He pays attention to detail, fit and finish. He is dedicated to a realistic time frame, and he has knowledge above and beyond the basic construction. Finishing and protecting those logs was another of our concerns. Our finished product is beautiful (chink-style) and far more than our expectations, mostly because of Bill's experience and knowledge, as well as his ability to communicate. We would highly recommend Bill and the Lasko School of Log Building to fullfill your Log dreams."
...... "The School offers the opportunity to students to "host" a two week hands-on course in log home construction at thier own site !" - "In the spirit of the "flying Instructor Program" begun by B. Allen Mackie - a pactical approach to bring this craft to your area and make it possible for more people to learn to build for themselves - Hosts accept limits of time and skill level of participants while getting a great start on thier own log home, participants have a viable project to work and learn on in thier area of the world!"
"We want to support the freedom people still have to build their own handcrafted log home and obtain affordable hands-on training to do so. "
This is and will remain a high priority with the Lasko School of Log Building, Inc.
Our involvement with the International Log Builders Association, primarily, is to keep on top of this important concern for people everywhere. I was glad to hear B. Allen Mackie continues to strive to protect this freedom so many take for granted. He affirmed his vision for the Owner-Builders of the future in a recent address as keynote speaker at the 2003 Annual General Meeting held in Ottawa this last April. At 77 years young, the man that started it all is looking forward to building another log house soon. He emphasized his message by pointing to several of the builders attending and saying he taught them the craft of building with logs.
In a recent conversation with the new ILBA president, Dave Gardner, he emphasized as well that he was against a "Log Builder Certification Program" and had fond memories of starting out himself. An effort to certify builders has caused too much attention and the angst of the members against what would be suicide for the ILBA.
"..it is a 'buyer beware' economy out there and centered around trust relationships developed between builders and buyers ......... ". (Dave Gardner -President ILBA).
It is my conclusion that any firther discussion of it is off the table at this time. We here at the Lasko School of Log Building are proud for doing our part in standing up for what is right on this and many other issues concerned with protecting your access to learning the craft of building with logs.
The ILBA is an educational association - for both public and builder needs and interests. We will continue to be there so you will always have the opportunity to learn this 1500 year old traditional craft of building with logs.
Presently, we are discontinuing the Hosting Program as we are focusing on the establishment of a permanent site here in Indiana just 15 miles South of Indianapolis, Indiana. Inquiries on Hosting may be directed to LogSmithy@aol.com for concideration. Once a year we would be willing to
