Notching in and levelling floor joists

I want this cabin to start rising so badly! Before I could do any more work on the walls I had to build something to stand on. The next step was to install floor joists for what will eventually be the floor. I can’t complete the floor until the cabin is roofed in, but with the joists there, I can step on them and use them as a platform to build the walls. I cheated on this step and went to the lumber yard to buy up some 2x6s. I could have cut smaller logs and notched them in, but I got lazy on this part. I was so anxious to just get it done that I went ahead and bought some milled lumber. This isn’t keeping with the wholly hand-build goal I had, but I’ll just have to be reconciled with that.

Making sure the joist is level across

To install the floor joists, I measured across the middle and 4 inches deep into each side base log.  This gave me the length to cut the 2x6 joist. 

Notching the log one cut at a time

I cut a notch into each side base log and one notch in the middle one and leveled them so the joist would sit straight and level.  Then I measured and cut the next set of notches so it was not only level across, but level with the previous joist.  This ensured a smooth level floor. 

Joist sitting solidly in the notch

Each notch was cut one chainsaw width at a time, then carved out with a chisel and mallet. The job went slowly but my system worked out well. 

Level!

When the last joist was laid in place, I put the level across different boards and angles and every time was level and true! 

Now that I have the floor joists in place, I have sure footing for the next step in the process: raising the walls! Stay tuned in for a blog post about the joys and dangers of raising walls, one log at a time!

Halfway done with the joists