- 1). Season your logs by allowing them to dry for one to two years. As wood dries it changes shape, so furniture built with unseasoned wood will warp. Seasoned wood is also lighter to lift and easier to cut. If you don't want to wait one to two years, buy seasoned wood from a lumber yard, or locate a dead tree that is still standing but hasn't yet begun to rot. It is essential the dead tree is still standing, because once wood contacts the ground it becomes moist and begins to decompose.
- 2). Strip the bark using a draw knife, which has handles at both ends. If this is too hard to do, your wood is probably not seasoned enough.
- 3). Draft a blueprint for assembling your furniture or purchase plans for the item you want to build.
- 4). Find the appropriate sized log for what you're building. If you purchased plans, this will be specified in the plans. If you drafted your own plans, remember this rule of thumb: structural pieces should be at least 3 inches in diameter, while non-structural (non-load bearing) pieces can be 1-to-2 inches in diameter.
- 5). Cut the pieces to their rough length. Drill holes on the receiving ends of the structural pieces. Using a saw and chisel, craft the peg ends of the structural pieces that will be placed inside the receiving holes. Generally, vertical pieces will have the receiving holes, while horizontal pieces will have the peg ends, but this can vary depending on your structure.
- 6). Fit the structural pieces together, but don't glue them together yet. Mark where the non-structural logs will be placed, then drill holes and chisel ends on these non-structural pieces as appropriate.
- 7). Sand all the pieces. Use coarser grits in the beginning and finish with finer grits.
- 8). Apply the stain with a clean, flat brush. Apply a thin coat. Wait for it to dry completely. Drying time will depend on the type of stain and can range from one to 24 hours. After it dries, apply a second coat.
- 9). Apply a coat of sealant with a clean, flat brush. Allow it to dry completely.
- 10
Lightly sand the logs with a very fine sandpaper to clear minor particles. Wipe the surfaces with a damp, lint-free rag. Apply a second coat of sealant.
SHARE
