Log House - A Life Long Dream

For four years, Michael Bennett and his wife worked to realize their lifelong dream of a log house in the woods near Frankford, West Virginia. With the help of friend Roy Dodd, the Bennetts used a Wood-Mizer sawmill to cut white pine logs for the walls and ceilings as well as boards for floors, steps and dormers. They cut red oak for vanities, cabinets and walls.

To craft the wood and build the home, they used the tools of earlier generations: draw knives to carve and shape, cant hooks, comealongs, and good, old-fashion hammer and nails.

"We saved $75,000 easily by using our Wood-Mizer," says Michael. That's impressive, but perhaps beside the point.

After years of carving with draw knives, hauling and lifting with a chain comealong, carefully placing 15,000 board feet of wood and nailing it home, the Bennetts were able to enjoy their new 3,000 square-foot home. "Words cannot describe my feelings when I saw our finished house," says Michael.

And that is the point.