Hey there Bill!:
Wow, this guy is talented, and yes I miss building. Real nice work, you are part of the glue that started me in this business. I hope you are well Bill. Me, I'll get by, the good Lord willing. I was just out cruising some timber and I remembered Hannibal, NY and the conversations as to business, what a great time I had.Between you and wolfe, i really learned something and back then you were a most approachable teacher.I hope you haven't lost that.
Long story short, Tom Tarbell and I were smokin'in 96', we had four jobs completed and more lined up, when I met this woman that I wound up marrying, and sort of let myself get talked into selling insurance (ugh) turns out, I can pretty much sell anything. I am back in school now to complete a degree that I started in the 80s. Yeah, one of my biggest regrets was getting out of the business,
I was in the best shape of my life, and I truly loved buiding. I can't say that about any other job I have had. My Mom (God rest her soul) showed me a newspaper ad about this log building class in Hannibal, NY and there you were. After that I was hooked. .
Anyway it is good to hear from you as well.
Safe travels. God bless.
Best,
Tom Squires
88 Perfield rd
Hastings, NY 13076
315-668-3519, 315-753-0553
Bill:
I'm a fellow 3rd ID veteran who attended a two week class of yours in March, 2004, and came back a year later for a two week refresher. I spoke to you last spring about starting on my first log building. It is a reality. 24X26, with an interior log wall dividing it into 14 and 12X24 sections, with a 14X24 loft. The roof is 8:12 post and purlin. I'm at the stage of cutting the post flats on the ridge and purlins now, but am working inside for a few days since the temps are well below zero. The weather "breaks" starting tomorrow, and I expect to have the log shell completed in the coming week.
The logs are native Maine red spruce. I built this project with the intent of selling it to provide capital for the next project and to upgrade some equipment. Alot of stuff on this building had to be done the hard/slow way,with my only piece of equipment being a 30 hp MF tractor with pallet forks. The last several rounds had to be parbuckled onto the wall. Notches and long grooves were all done on the wall. This is one of the most gratifying accomplishments of my life. A few mistakes along the way, but they will only benefit me on the next building.
My question for you is how do I price this thing? I have a tendency to undervalue my work, but at the same time, I don't think it's right to charge the customer for my learning curve. The attached pics aren't the most recent, but they're close. I built this cabin thinking it would be set on a conventionally framed deck, so there are no log floor joists. Know anyone in Maine looking for something like this?
I was on your website and checked out your apprenticeship program. Holy cow, I wish I was younger! Looks like things are going well for you.
Any comments or suggestions from you would be greatly appreciated.
Jon Taylor
Jon Taylor
64 Parlin Rd.,
Phillips, ME 04966.
Phone # 207-639-2540
Bill – I just wanted to fire you off a short (HAHA) email this morning/afternoon. It’s Tuesday morning, 8 am here in Alaska, which means it’s about noon there in Indiana, and you’re probably getting ready to take a lunch break. First off, I wanted to Thank You for a great Log Building class. It was everything I expected and hoped for. You and Becka are great hosts. Please Thank her for me. Damien is an outstanding asset to you, as I’m sure you know. I hope, for both of your sakes, that he will be able to stick around with you long term. I was very impressed by his character, his kindness to me, his understanding and patient way of helping me work through the basics, and his own obvious will to both learn and pass on what he’s learned. Tell Damien that I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers, my prayer being that he will be kept safe while climbing around on those log walls, and that the Lord will continue to direct him and his wife into absolutely the best possible path in all ways for their future life together. I hope and pray that he’ll be able to find and procure the property of his dreams, and be able to construct his log cabin while he’s still a young man, and not have to wait til he’s as old as I am. Damien, my wife really liked the fish carvings that you gave me, and right now they’re hanging on the wall about 6 feet from where I’m sitting at the moment. Eventually, I hope, they’ll be hanging in my log home on Prince of Wales Island, and I’ll always be able to remember you when I look over and see your ‘fish’. I hope you’re able to come up to the island, and I can complete the fish trading with a few fish of your own – possibly salmon, trout, halibut, or bottom fish. It’s all good eating!
For Ryan, if you can pass this on to him. Let him know I really appreciated being able to work and learn along side him. I was impressed with his go-getter attitude, and his fearlessness in pursuing his dreams and goals. I wish I had 200 logs cut, and was as far along with my plans as he evidently is. His ranch video is a work of art, and he obviously is a young man with many skills who was obviously brought up right. Ryan also will be in my thoughts and prayers, especially as he continues on with his next two weeks of class. My prayer for him will be that he be kept safe during his remaining time in class, during his long drive home, and throughout his travels this winter. Ryan, be careful on those log walls! Keep your balance, and don’t take any unnecessary chances. Learn everything you possibly can, and don’t be afraid to ask any questions about any phase of the log building instruction that you’ll need to know on your big log home project this summer. I’ll also be praying for your girlfriend, your hoped for future plans together, and that family that I know you’re dreaming about and hoping to have. I hope all your plans come together in exactly the best way possible. I’d love to be able to stay in contact, and be kept up to date on the log home project, and if you’re able to host a log building class this summer or fall, and anything else you’d like to email back and forth on. Also, Ryan, although we didn’t talk about it, I’d love to make up some Custom ScopeShields for your commercial hunting guide operations at your Black Mountain Ranch. I outfit a fair number of outfitting and guide operations with ScopeShields for their customers, and I’d love to discuss with you what I could do for you. Keep in touch!
For Becka. Thank you so much for your hospitality. You are a fantastic cook, and the sockeye salmon I brought up for you was certainly not wasted, due to your culinary skills. Best meal I had while I was in Indiana! I enjoyed listening to your fiddle playing, and only wish I could have been blessed with hearing more of your beautiful sounds. If you ever get any of your music recorded, I hope you’ll remember me and get me off a copy. I particularly enjoyed the few times we were able to have a short conversation or discussion. I’d love to be able to have some more time in the future to just sit down and discuss whatever life topics came up, and go round and round a little bit with you. Your variety of skills, interests, and passions is a fascinating mix, and I hope someday that you’ll be able to meet my wonderful wife, and we can spend some time sitting around, ‘chewing the fat’. I pray that you and Bill will be able to realize your dreams together, find that ‘just right’ piece of property and build that dream of a Log Building School where EVERYTHING is just the way you imagine it can be, and finally be able to build that ‘forever dream log home’ that is just your own. I believe that God has a plan for you, and I pray that in just the right timing, you’ll be able to see that plan unfold. Becka, please feel free to call or contact me anytime, and I hope that you and Bill might be able to find a way to join me on Prince of Wales Island some time this summer to get away and have a pleasant vacation time on one of the most beautiful islands on the face of the earth.
Bill, I appreciate everything, and I mean everything that you’ve done for me, both before my two week class, in helping smooth the way so that I could make that part of dreams true. I hope that you’re able to continue with your efforts to build up your school in the way that you’d like it to go, and I hope that the powers that be in Indiana will work with you in a manner satisfactory to you. Working with Government entities never seems like it’s easy, but I guess at times it is a ‘necessary evil’. Thank you for the rides to and from the airport. Everything went smoothly on my travels, and my plane made it into Anchorage on time to the minute. My wife left 24 hours after I arrived, to spend 2 ½ weeks in Oregon with my Mom, helping her get back home and taken care of. My wife will be back on Dec. 11, and then I’ll be heading down to Oregon from Dec. 16 to Dec. 26 to help out my Mom and see my kids and grandkids down in Oregon. My wife and 2 youngest daughters will head down to Oregon from Christmas Day until New Year’s Day, and then we’ll all finally be back together again come the first of the year. I promise, Bill, I’ll try to get some logs here at my property in Anchorage as soon as possible to at least build a picnic table, and hopefully a small combination tool shed/storage shed. We’ve had a little bit of snow every day since I’ve been back, and it’s slowly building up. I may have to wait until the spring thaw to start the shed building project, just so I can get a decent foundation down. The picnic table won’t need that. If you’d still like to think about coming up to Prince of Wales Island for a little R & R this spring or summer, let’s continue to talk about it and see if we can come up with some dates and scenarios. If it all works out, I’d like to think about hosting a class in the summer of 2010, preferably in the June-July-August time period. I’ve got lot’s to do in the meantime, but with your help and guidance I’m sure we can successfully pull it off. Again, Bill, another much too long email from me. Too much to say to too many people, and still I know a lot is going unsaid, and for that I hope you can be patient and forgive me. Future emails I’ll try to keep shorter. Thank You so much for everything you’ve done, and I believe everything you’ll continue to do, and Thank You so much for your servant’s and teacher’s heart. The world would be so much better off with a few more people like you, willing to pass on the life skills that are so needed, especially in these precarious times. I’ll let you get back to work now, as I’ve got a bunch more emailing and calling to do today, and I best get with it. May the good Lord Bless you richly in all that you do. Keep those wood chips flying!
Jon Stram – otherwise known as ‘Log Builder’
ScopeShield LLC
5701 Kallander Ave.
Anchorage, AK 99516
907-522-0220
www.scopeshieldcover.com
04/05/2001
Tony Mark A. " hi bill , absolutely great to be hearing from you too !!!! I have been working very hard all the years since taking your class... it's amazing how many obstacles and life changes can come your way but i am still trying to hang in there and i do want you to know that your class really has changed my life. I always believed that i could build my own cabin and the reinforcement and teachings and support i got from you changed me forever. I rufuse to give up my dream and am actually on the verge of obtaining it all. i have since paid off all my outstanding debt , have my new property , the excavating , pole barn , garage foundation 80 ton of larch logs all payed for - don't owe anyone a cent !!! oh i even bought a old niagra mohawk ( electrical co. ) boom / crane truck for lifting my logs for me . It has about 75 foot reach , built a sweet set of log racks 24 ft long where i can load up approx 50-75 logs and easilly roll them one at a time into my pole barn and cut them on my saw. i have cut up to a 2,000 lb logs by myself in a t shirt and shorts without breaking a sweat. I definitely will send you some pictures from our class together along with some of my new photos for you to pass along to your new students. i am very lucky to have met you bill , my life is mush sweeter for it...... you are definitely " the man " !!!! Sounds like your family / girls think the same about you too......... the walk away mommy's and daddy's come and go but good men like you are remembered forever.... having you walk them down the aisle is something they will never forget. Tell andy congrats too for such great success If your ever up this way it would be great for you to stop by for a visit..... and hey ...mabye i could come and visit you sometime too , stop by and see your log village..... I'm about due for a nice long drive. perhaps you could help me with a little information on a nice place i could rent for the weekend , it would be a great surprise for my sweetie !!! and your new sweetie sounds great... i wish you all the best. some opportunities only come by once so don't let it slip by. sorry i gotta run...
Mark (tony) Anthony
P.O.Box 131
Martville, NY 13111
1 (315) 564-7571
January 6, 2004
Dear Bill:
You asked us to talk about our experience in hosting a log home class. As you know, we built a 30 x 40 full scribe log shell in Charlevoix, Michigan in June 2003. We believe hosting a class was the best motivating factor in speeding up preparations for and accomplishing the successful building of our log home shell.
As a husband-wife team we first took your basic construction class in Indiana approximately 16 months prior to hosting a class. This first class was essential in helping us prepare for our hosting experience. The class provided us with a clear mental picture of the log building process. After taking the class we knew we wanted to proceed with our log home project.
Preparations we made for hosting our class were: obtaining a boom truck, buying a commercial pressure washer with a turbo tip nozzle, providing facilities for students, acquiring logs, peeling and sorting logs, setting up our pre-assembly building site including temporary foundation and electrical power. In addition, we acquired the necessary tools both before and after our initial basic construction class.
We had an existing large, open area for our log building yard and we had previously built a 30' x 40' pole barn that contained water and electricity. The pole barn was used as a shelter for students. Water was necessary for supporting students who stayed on site and for peeling the logs with a pressure washer. Because we attended the first class, we knew how to set up our log building yard including building the temporary foundation and providing adequate electrical power.
There is a lot to learn about acquiring logs, such as where to locate logs, how to handle the contract for buying logs, handling and trucking the logs and delivery early enough to have time to peel the logs. We received only two-thirds of our logs prior to frost laws going into effect in Michigan which meant we had to wait until spring before the rest of the logs were delivered. It is very important to have the logs peeled and sorted prior to the start of the class. Having students peel logs during class only cuts into time that could be spent on building your log shell. We also had volunteers who helped move logs, pick up wood scraps and run errands.
One thing that we found very helpful was when you made a site visit about six months before our scheduled start date. You reviewed our building plans. We ultimately changed our building site location after consulting with you and you advised us where everything should be located on our building site. You helped us develop our list of logs needed. We also realized how much we had yet to accomplish and how little time we had left. After this consultation, we made a list of all the things to be done and tried to regularly complete tasks. It was helpful to be able to ask questions and receive feedback at any time by way of phone calls and e-mail.
We found you to be a knowledgeable log home building instructor with a real passion for his craft who was there to solve problems and help us make decisions. You provided a good balance between instructing students and hands-on log work.
Hosting a class made building our own handcrafted log home a reality. We realized labor savings by utilizing students and hosting definitely increased our odds of having a successful completed log shell. Over all, it was a fun experience with lots of comradery with fellow students and instructor.
We were lucky because we had talented, highly motivated students, minimal equipment problems and excellent weather.
Our goals were to be ready to build on our first day of class, to accomplish as much as possible during our class by making the best use of time with students and our instructor and to have the log shell completed by the end of our class.
We began researching building a log home about five years prior, we started building preparations early, we were organized and we were ready to go on the first day of hosting a class. We know that if we had not hosted a log building class through you, we would not have a completed log shell today. Thank you for helping our long-time dream of building a handcrafted log home a reality.
Very truly yours,
Jim & Pat Balmer
846 Hayhoe Road
Dansville, MI 48819
(517) 623-6941
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 completing in 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.
Sincerely,
Jim Stevenson
Waunakee, Wisconsin
1 608 225-1226
Mr. Lasko
Thank you for a very complete response. I am going to take your advice about a college education as I am going to go through the four year building construction course at Virginia Tech starting in Fall 2002. I still plan to attend the log building school either during a summer break or after I
graduate. You will probably be receiving "log specific" questions from me as I go through the four year program at VA Tech as you have by far been the most valuable source of information regarding log home building that I've found yet. Most of the other log builders and dealers either haven't replied to me or have been very brief in their responses. Once again, thank you very much for your input.-
J. Wilkins
239 Salem Wilkins
Mt. Sidney, VA 24467
Hey Bill,
How are things down south? The north country is awesome as usual.
I asked my insurance agent about insuring my log home once it's completed and even in the construction stages. She said that they do insure log homes but that it has to be done by a trained builder. She recently had a customer come to her after he built his own log house and he asked about getting insurance. Because it was a log home and because he had had no formal training in log home
construction the house was uninsurable. I told her about how I'd been to
your class and asked if my diploma would be sufficient proof that I know
what I'm doing. It will be!!! I never thought about this, but here's
another benefit from taking the class...... you can get insurance.
I do have a problem, however. I can't find my diploma. Yeah, yeah I know.
It should be on my wall. I don't need it right now, and I may find the
original before I need to use it. But if I can't find it, would you be able
to make me a duplicate? PLEEEEEEZE?
The Colorado class was great! The scenery was gorgeous and the accommodations were awesome. I learned so much from that class. I was glad that we got to actually start with the basics like peeling and log handling. It has really helped me as I've started to set up my log yard at home. There really is no substitute for practice, and we got plenty of that. There are so many nuances to putting up a log house that I can't imagine getting all that information by simply reading a book. I definitely want to come to a class where you focus on roof systems.
We're starting small but I'm going to try to get a couple cabins done this summer to sell before attempting our house. FYI.. My kids, wife and I have peeled 30 logs so far and we're getting ready to grind the knots. You should see the pile of peelings we've got.
The kids are loving it. I made 9 draw knives from used chipper blades, so
if you're ever in the area I've got plenty of tools to keep you busy. :)
Well, gotta go. Let me know on that diploma thing. And let me know when
you're going to do the truss class.
Later,
Jon Anderson
Bagley, MN Joel & Jamie Anderson
RR 2 Box 156
Bagley, MN 56621
(218) 694-3372
04/03/2002
" I have attended Lasko's four-week building course. I worked on Daves' (The buyer above ) log structure. I came to the class with absolutely no log home building experience. I only had some experience in handling saws. By the time I left the session, I had become farely proficient (I believe) at the procedure and cutting operations that were necessary for constructing a sound and tight-fitting structure."
Jeff Bade
270 Medford-Mt Holly Road
Medford, NJ 08055
(720) 219-1031
(Columbine, Colorado)
Chris Corriveau
P.O. Box 23
Lyme, NH 03768
(603) 795-4939
Kenneth Craig Hall
16950 CR 345
Terrell, TX 7516
1 972 563-1556
Black Mountain Ranch
Ryan May
P.O. Box 219
McCoy, CO 80463
(970) 471-4388
Jeff and Lynn Parish
Alaska Log Connection
PO Box 2045
Soldotna, AK 99669
home 907-260-7750
Cell 386-405-6280
Alan Roy
8907 E. 281st Street
Atlanta, IN. 46031
hm 765-292-2455 wk 317-208-6503 cell 317-695-8468
Edward Roy
10 Porter Avenue
Hudson, NH 03051
USA
603-886-0689
Troy Schauda
44309 Rd 817
Sargent, Nebraska 68874
1-308-527-4367 Hm
1 308 215-0156 Cell
Len Storey
KY
Jorge Thorsen
Pileven 1
Ejby 4070
Kirke-Hyllinge, Denmark
+45 (45) 46405882
Chad Westfahl
PO Box 832
Land O Lakes, WI 54540
(715) 891-6223
Daniel Shirley
1109 Quiet Way
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 949-5149
