5-25-08
 
 
 
Paul cuts one of the end posts to length. Note the penciled saddle notch.
We first made a true cut near the end to produce a fairly flat base.
     
 
Moving both posts closer to the house to work on cutting out the saddle notches.
 
We started cutting the saddle notches by making a rough "V" notch with the chainsaw to the depth of about 5 inches.
     
 
Paul makes the first cut for the "V" notch.
 
Turning the log over, Paul makes the other cut.
     
 
Doing some shaping to round out the notch a bit.
 
The rough shape of the saddle notch before fine-tuning the curve.
     
 
We found that with a little practice and patience, the angle grinder with the chainsaw wheel gave us the best results for detailed cuts and shaping the curve.
 
This time we used a come-along strapped to the top of the wall to lift the post.
     
 
Lifting the post up and over the rebar pin in the pier.
 
Lining up the pin with the pre-drilled hole before lowering the post down onto the pier.
     
 
The post is now set on the pier with sill sealer as a barrier between the concrete and wood.
 
Drilling the hole for the rebar pin in the second post. Jeff pulls the auger bit back while John holds the post.
     
 
Paul and John carry this one in. They make it look easy.
 
Setting the post near its pier.
     
 
Rigging a ratchet strap around the post so they can stand it next to the pier.
 
Getting ready to lift.
     
 
Lowering the post onto the pier.
 
John makes sure Jeff has the rotary hammer level before drilling the hole in the wall for the anchor.
     
 
Drilling the anchor hole.
 
Lifting the second girder up to the top of the wall.
     
 
Carrying the girder over the wall.
 
We had a little more trouble getting this girder into position because of the limited reach of the arm, but we finally got it set.
     
 
A little difficult to see, but along the top of this girder is a pink string line. We had to see how much sag was in the log and how much we'd have to prop up the center.
 
At the end of the day, both floor girders were in place and resting on their end posts in saddle notches.
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