Round notches are the strongest, simplest and most weathertight notches in cabin joinery.
Building a traditional log cabin can be accomplished with simple tools but requires patience and an attention to detail. There are a number of different joints available to log smiths: round, saddle, dovetail, tenon, lapped and V-notch, to name a few. But according to master log smith Tom Walker, when constructing the simplest, strongest, most weathertight cabin, the round notch is the preferred choice. The round notch works by fitting the top log over the curvature of the log underneath, thereby creating a shingle effect, allowing water to run cleanly down the cabin wall without pooling in the logs below. Carving out a round notch is not complicated but can be time-consuming. Work carefully, and speed will come with practice.
Instructions
1. Position the log you wish to fit in the intended location on the wall. The gap between the top log and the one running parallel underneath should be as even as possible along the entire length of the wall. If there is a bow or some protrusions, use a hatchet and draw knife to smooth them out.
2. Open the log scribe or compass to the exact gap between the top log and the one running parallel below. Keeping the scribe level, trace the contour of the log running perpendicularly below onto the log you wish to fit. Repeat on the other side of the log to complete the outline of the notch. Use a tape measure to verify that the notch is not more than half the diameter of the log you wish to fit.
3. Roll the log over and roughly cut out the wood inside the notch with a chainsaw. Only cut down to within a half-inch of the scribed pencil line. With a half-round chisel and mallet, remove the rest of the wood down to the pencil line. For an extra-tight notch, hollow out the notch about an inch into the log so that only the edges of the notch will rest on the log below. Do not go past the line!
4. Roll the log back over to check the fit of the notch. It does not have to be perfect, but it should be very close. If your measurements are correct and your chisel was accurate, the weight of the logs above will press the notch so tight that any extra waterproofing may be unnecessary.
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