Ok! So the underlying logs are ready. The overlying log is a bit more challenging if you ask me. But it is absolutley doable and gets easier log by log.

This video will give you an impression how to go about it.

Here is a list on how to form the overlying log:

  1. Put the log on the underlying logs and make sure the center of this log is over the center of the saddle.
  2. Put a mark in the center on the logs end. Draw a leveled line from top to bottom through the center mark.
  3. Measure the gap between the logs so you know how far down it must go. If this is 4 inches, then make a mark 4 inches up from the underlying log. This is where the cut for the bottom side saddle will end.
  4. Make a line around the overlying log over the center from the underlying log. Don’t move the log. You dont have to mark the bottom side where you can’t reach it.
  5. When marks are made on each side of both ends on the log, turn it around.
  6. Mark the line around the bottom where it couldn’t be marked before.
  7. Look at the leveled line on the end of the log and make a center mark for where the bottom crosses the line around the log.
  8. Put marks out to the side along the line. E.g. 1.5 inch out to each side.
  9. Make a cut from this mark and to the mark made in point 3.
  10. Put marks out to the side and cut from there to the center cut.
  11. Sand the surface using an angle grinder with a sand paper disk.
  12. Put the log back in center over the saddle on the underlying log.
  13. Make sure the log is level.
  14. Use a scriber and adjust it to be a bit narrower than the gap between the logs.
  15. Transfer this using the scriber and mark the overlying log. Keep the scriber level. Since this is a bit narrower there is some margin for mistakes.
  16. Cut out whats inside the line.
  17. Put the log back on.
  18. Make marks using a pencil where there needs to be cut away more.
  19. When the log is all the way down it will suddenly rest not in the notch, but somewhere else along the log. Now it’s time to cut out longwise the log to make it come down around the top of the next log.
    1. Use a pencil to mark where the log touches and cut out using the chainsaw tip.
    2. If your’e not extremely good at this, you will probably do this repeatedly on each log as it comes further and further down.

In the end the log will rest nicely in the saddles and on top along the log underneath. When the next log comes in place on top it will be nearly immovable. 😉