LaskoSchoolofLogBuilding

A part from the obvious evidence to anyone having taken a class or even talked with Bill on the phone, there are several reasons we are committed to our approach and feel it is one more suited to the Owner - Builder than any available today. Every demonstration and articulated instruction given is carefully thought out and leads you to a better understanding of the next. While this is not rocket science, to the unlearned it can be as confusing! There was a time when what you will learn in two weeks was taught by fathers to their sons as a basic life skill. We have not had to think in terms of moving heavy logs, debarking and fashioning a home for family in this way for most of a century and more, far more!

The grasping of the notion to grab one's tools and go into the forest and use what is available to make a warm, safe shelter with ingenuity as your assistant and need as your drive - this is the appeal. Just think for a moment. Our forefathers came to this land and had to produce even their nails by hand! Without these skills being handed down, settling America would have been impossible. The Kings of Europe owned everything and you existed at the pleasure of the King. It was the desire for freedom, and the independant spirit coupled with these very skills that made men set their eyes on America.

Today, then, to obtain these traditional basic life skills is a very real sense of also reaching for ones own freedom and independance. Debt-free living is the key to true freedom in this world. Debt hobbles creativity and takes away true freedom to make decisions for one's self. Our core belief and starting point for developing this school is built around that one principle. Those around you that would suggest to you that incurring debt is "finally" getting your freedom you have earned. They actually use the reverse logic to advertise and entice you to surrender your freedom in exchange for indebtedness. Just read a credit card ad or watch a credit card commercial and see how they speak of freedom and "life's rewards" now not later. To debt is to make a promise.That promise is that you will place the interests of the lender / creditor above all else. Home, family, everything just shifted back in your life's priorities to second and third place.

Its called "voluntary slavery" and if you could ever really see the truth, and seperate it - you would see how plans are made through advertising campaigns and corporate mergers, to take your freedom away by enticing you in millions of ways to voluntarily commit yourself to being a slave. Sound alarmist and paranoid? Ok, but now that you have read it, you will begin to be able to tell for your self. Everyday, we are told how to keep up with the Jones's and even out do them like it is what is most important in life and is what you ought to be pursuing! And as you reach for it, before you realize what is happening, you find yourself wondering what the heck happened! Kinda sounds like a curious animal coming upon a baited trap doesn't it?

Can we teach you to build a log home debt-free? Most likely not, its rather an attitude you get when your eyes are opened to your future, in thought, to reserving and preserving your freedom. With the right perspective on debt and on getting what you truly need in life prioritized - its is very possible you can indeed build debt-free or seriously reduce the need for it!

We teach these time honored skills in an easy to grasp approach that is sequential and repetitive, and, as we refined in the process of many years of building and teaching, you will benifit from over 20 years of construction and log building experience. You will save the cost of attending a two week class over and over again! We will teach you the craft of building with logs, and we will show you ways to get the rest of the materials and save a lot of costs over modern practices. And yes, we even show you materials from lenders that work exclusively with Owner Builders of log homes and handcrafted log homes too!

The Lasko School of Log Building does focus on teaching classes for Owner Builders because the need to aquire the skills and information needed to develope a plan for one to build their own log home from scratch can be taught in two to four weeks. This is the information they want and need the most. Further skill developement will come by following through on a realistic project. All the schools encourage you to engage a small personal project when you get home for this. I even place emphasis on building a smaller home that will meet the needs and utility of the Owner Builder as that very project!

As for turning out professional log builders in a two to four week class, its not our goal to make such a promise. If employment is what you seek to further develope your skills, the schools all get requests for entry-level students and we have had some hired right off the log courses at the end of classes! This a very practical approach to becoming a professional handcrafter.

The reason log school graduates are sought after by the builders is because you have shown a keen interest in the craft, will know if it is for you by the time the class is over, and have invested in your personal set of tools - and , probably most importantly, are still "teachable" as each logcrafter will have a few of their own ways of doing some applications of the skills used. I will give you the skills and the positive can-do attitude to do either and can help get you hired by well established professional custom log home builders around the country! Most of them will pay very well and will be looking to have some assurances when interviewed of at least a one year committment so they can have accurate time estimates for job completions and keep their clients happy!

Handcrafters are a committed bunch that love their work - enthusiasim will get you hired faster than most anything else. Ron Brodigan, Robert Chambers , Al Anderson and Pat Wolfe will all do a fine job no matter what your motive for attending is. Class schedules offered often do not adequately accomodate work schedules for many folks. When our schedule conflicts with a person wanting to take a class, we refer them to other schools.

In any enterprise, there is a question that must have an excellant answer that can be stated at any given time - and that question is, "What am I doing better or significantly differant than the others?" I will answer that right here and now! We come to you! We will go anywhere you are at with you as the host and teach a two week or longer class with the class project being your own! We have a practically fool-proof process for making Host arrangements ! We charge a fee for our host program, and, if and when we can, we will even do a barter for logs if you have an abundance of them on your property, in lieu of the $4500.00 Host Fee! The Fee guarantees that we come and do the class as agreed no matter how many students enroll! You can't lose !

This makes it possible for you to have a log shell pre-assembled all or nearly all completed depending on class size and plan complexity - worth $20,000.00 to $35,000.00 Its a win win win proposition for all associated with a class being hosted on location! This was practiced in the past to varying degrees by earlier schools in the 70's & 80's- we have perfected it! The logs in a barter are contracted in a regular timber sale agreement and would'nt be harvested until usually long after a class is taught, often stipulated for a period

of years just as a saw mill would. We can either sell those trees to another student wanting to buy a set of house logs or use them our selves in classes held at our permanent location to be developed soon with classes also being held there.

All graduates are eligible to participate in our Host Program and attendance of a course in one of the schools, preferrably ours, is required and at our descretion we can waive that requirement. For the time being, we are doing so on a case by case request basis. It is encouraged that you attend a class and meet us and see what is involved in getting a class prepared for.

We hope this helps you know who we are and why we may just be the best choice in a log building school for you!

Bill

Tool List

Lasko School of Log Building, Inc.-

Tool List for Hands-on Classes in Log Construction.

A chainsaw in the 3.7 size range with a good anti-vibration system. (I use Stihl chainsaws o36 and 029).

Sixteen Inch Chain Saw Bar on Saw and one Extra is Good

2 or more Chain Loops of Round Shouldered "Chipper Chain"

Gas containers to carry and mix your own saw fuel

Files and tools for cleaning and sharpening your chain saw

A heavy single bit axe or a else double bit (optional)

Assortment of sharpening stones and files for iron /steel tools - small files for sharpening cutting edges, Larger ones for taking the rough stuff down and stone grits to work on after the file.

Lumber crayons Red and Blue

A Cant Hook A Peavey (Preferred over cant hook but one or the other).

Barr Draw Knife with 13-inch blade and handles extending out beyond that for peeling large logs.

Pair of "Rail Road Tie-tongs" if you can find them Rail yard shops still make them and Antique Shops are a Good source (One Man Timber Carrier)

Heavy Wrecking Bar / Lever (40LB variety)Carpenters: Chalk line

Chalk Blue and lots of it

Carpenters Pencils

Tape Measure 25 30 foot

Tape measure 50 to 100-reel type

Framing Square - large

Framing Square - small

Framing Hammer 22 to 28 oz. (Steel Shank)

Heavy Maul (w/extra handle)

Scoop Shovel (like for grain)

Tool pouch and belt

Hand Saws can bring variety, one will do

Four-Foot Level

Two-Foot Level

Mason Line on a Reel

Assortment of small nails #8,10,16

A Four Foot by 1-2 inch metal strap (Plumbers perforated pipe hanger

Strap works great)

Six Foot and / or Eight-Foot Step Ladder

Contractors Wheel Barrow (Segregate Tools and daily clean up)

Two and a half to five ton Com-a-long

Fifty Foot piece of ¾ inch Poly-Rope

Spade Shovel for digging

First Aid Kit

Roll of Duct Tape

Pack Marlboro 100 Lights for Instructor

Scriber and a dozen indelible ink pencils for it. "GET THE BLUE "INK IN A BOTTLE" BRAND!

Leather Work Boots

Jeans

Safety Chaps NOW REQUIRED!

Safety Helmet with Hearing and Face Protection.

Gloves

Any & All Camping Gear if camping out, even partially. Bring Rain Gear and warm clothes!

Personal care products soap, shampoo, shower slippers, toothpaste & a brush, etc.

Some Draw String Trash bags. (Must be able to keep tolls dry)

A large & small Angle Grinder (ALL 2 & 4 Week Students should have at least the 7 inch one)

Hard Rubber Flexible pad for 5/8 arbor and 16 grit & 24 grit pads.

A Circular Saw (Optional)

Extension Cords 100 feet

Stanely Carpet Knife with extra Heavy duty Blades

A 2 to 3 lb dead blow hammer

A ¾ inch to 1 inch curved gouge chisel

1 ¼ - 1 ½ straight Chisel

Tarp to cover tools in wheelbarrow

Water Spray Bottle 1/2 to 1 qt size.

Hand Wisk broom

Safety Glasses

Notebook & pencil

All Items shall be clearly identified by the owner and if anyone does not know what to write.

L A S K O will do!

If You Share tools, you will want to know how to identify them.

Tool List Resources w/ Hyperlinks

Tamarack Log Building Tools, PO Box 120783, New Brighton, MN 55112, 612-783-9773. Tools, books, Iowa scribers. Now carrying the new denim safety shirt as well as Barr drawknives. tamlogtool@aol.com

Schroeder Log Home Supply, Inc., 34810 US Hwy. 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744,800-359-6614 www.loghelp.com Tools, books, caulks, preservatives. Main supplier of tools to the Lasko School of Log Building.

Forestry Suppliers, Inc., PO Box 8397, Jackson, MS 39284, 800-647-5368 www.forestry-suppliers.com Logging, construction, surveying tools.

Ben Meadows, Inc. Atlanta, GA www.benmeadows.com

Logging, construction, surveying, safety equipment.

Lehman's Non-Electric Catalog, One Lehman Circle, PO Box 41, Kidron, OH 44636216-857-5757. Like walking into a 19th Century hardware store.

Gransfors-Bruks, Inc., 821 W. 5th North St., PO Box 818, Summerville, NC 29483, 803-875-0240 Swedish axes of all kinds and safety equipment.

Baileys, P.O. Bx. 550, Highway 101, Laytonville, CA 95454. 800-322-4539. Loggers' supplies & other tools.

A Log Home Store, PO Box 6, Timber, OR 97144, 800-827-1688 www.aloghomestore.com Very complete selection of books, tools, and log home products. Online ordering.

Harmony Exchange, 2700 Big Hill Road, Boone, NC 28607, 800-968-9663 Wood & timber framing supplies.

Bon Tool Co., 4430 Gibsonia Rd., Gibsonia, PA 15044, 724-443-7080 Everything in masonry tools.

Cumberland General Store, RR 3, Crossville, TN 38555. Carries merchandise similar to Lehman's (above).

Woodcraft, 210 Wood County Industrial Pk., Parkersburg, WV 26102 800-225-1153

General woodworking tools.

Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

4365 Willow Drive

Medina, MN 55340

Seven Corners Hardware, 800-328-0457, 216 W. 7th St., St. Paul, MN 55102. One of the better sources for power tools of all kinds: planers, drills, sanders etc.

Tool Crib of the North, PO Box 14930, Grand Forks, ND 58208. Power tools.

Northern Tool & Equipment Co., PO Box 1499, Burnsville, MN 55337 800-556-7885 Power tools.

Magard Ventures, Ltd., RR 3, Site 3, Comp 1, Prince George, BC V2N 2J1 Log construction tools, early & new Mackie Scribers, good axes & very good drawknives.

magardlogtools@telus.net

Fowler Solar Electric Inc., 226 Huntington Rd., PO Box 435, Worthington, MA 01098 Solar supplies.

Peavey Manufacturing Co

P.O. Box 129, Eddington, ME 04428

Tel: (207) 843-7861

Fax: (207) 843-5005

1-888-244-0955

MADSEN'S SHOP & SUPPLY INC

1408 S. Gold St #2, Centralia, WA 98531

Phone: 360-736-1336

Fax: 360-736-9522

Grainger's Industrial hardware supply - for hard rubber backing disks for angle grinders

Lee Valley Tools www.leevalley.com/home/main.asp

Log Home Center & Supply, 16907 Mystic RD, Nobleville, Indiana 46060, 1 317 773-3268 / 800 773-6223

www.LogHomeCenter.com / Logs@LogHomeCenter.com

STIHL USA chainsaw dealership school uses -

Dunn's Hardware & Building Supplies, Hwy135 , Trafalgar, Indiana 46181, 1 317 878-5451 Bill & Bryan Dunn

Complete STIHL sales and service center.

Northwest Lumber Company

5035 Lafayette Road

Indianapolis, Indiana 46254

317 293-1100

877 832-3425