10X16 log park type shelter

thedoublejranch

5 year old buck +
OK, working on a log park type shelter for my 40 acres, set up like a national park with campsites etc. Its private, not open to public and we all gather around the large picnic table under the EZ up when the entire extended family goes over in August, but I am now going to start on a park type log shelter. I have harvested some beetle kill already for my uprights/supports, gathering logs for purlins and rest, will use metal on the roof. I have plans from the NPS, I will not use the knewl post, more open on all sides, will eventually add a large stone fireplace at one end with a cooking surface. I will start to build brackets over the winter to anchor log uprights to concrete this winter, get it all prepped for spring time.
 

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If you have the material, I'm sure that one will turn out pretty nice. Here's one I took a pic of while crossing the road on a hiking/hunting trail. Thought it was fairly functional without getting too complicated. Might do something similar on my land or maybe I'll just live with the ole picnic table under the big beech and call it good...

Don't forget to post some pics next year.

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rocksnstumps, the national park service has many simple shelters of that exact design. Just looking at the design of the legs on the picnic table is interesting, a design I have never seen before, very nice. Thanks for sharing. I will keep everyone posted by adding to this.
 
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OK, last spring, I started on my log park shelter. I had some beetle kill I had towed to my cabin area and this spring (2020) I peeled the logs using a Ames 4.5" floor scraper from Home Depot. The bugs worked in it for a year, made life to much easier. So all these peeled logs, I needed to make a bracket to attach logs to concrete sonotube. Dont expect to find those at your home building center. Made my own out of large plate steel. Spring I level out pad, then dig in holes and cement in footers (12" sonotube) and lots of rebar and my home brewed brackets.

Then in August, I was able to get the entire frame in and up.
I made temporary 1 foot columns, this allowed me to fit and trim the roof together while standing on the ground. Then once the frame was all done, unscrewed it (using all 10" Timberlocks) took it down, then added the full length columns. These are 12 to 14" thick. So it was all in place, but this is where its was left.

We are employing themes from the USFS and National Parks and wanted to keep it looking authentic. But we will use a regular dimensional lumber for the rafters, sheet it with plywood, 30# felt then the lighter green metal roof. I will put in 2 ceiling fans and a few outlets. I am off the grid, but can run a generator to power this all up. I may put some rails up about the counter height and a long picnic table int he middle.

I did adjust the dimensions, its ended up 10X16 vs the original plan of 12X16 only because of the slop of the land, I would of needed much longer sonotubes and I travel 300+ miles to get there and didnt bring longer sonotubes. I pre build lots of stuff and haul it in an enclosed trailer. Anyway, a few pictures and this is how it stands today. Roof goes on in spring on 21.

And keeping wi th the park theme, I gave it the name "Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Kitchen/Shelter
 

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OK, last spring, I started on my log park shelter. I had some beetle kill I had towed to my cabin area and this spring (2020) I peeled the logs using a Ames 4.5" floor scraper from Home Depot. The bugs worked in it for a year, made life to much easier. So all these peeled logs, I needed to make a bracket to attach logs to concrete sonotube. Dont expect to find those at your home building center. Made my own out of large plate steel. Spring I level out pad, then dig in holes and cement in footers (12" sonotube) and lots of rebar and my home brewed brackets.

Then in August, I was able to get the entire frame in and up.
I made temporary 1 foot columns, this allowed me to fit and trim the roof together while standing on the ground. Then once the frame was all done, unscrewed it (using all 10" Timberlocks) took it down, then added the full length columns. These are 12 to 14" thick. So it was all in place, but this is where its was left.

We are employing themes from the USFS and National Parks and wanted to keep it looking authentic. But we will use a regular dimensional lumber for the rafters, sheet it with plywood, 30# felt then the lighter green metal roof. I will put in 2 ceiling fans and a few outlets. I am off the grid, but can run a generator to power this all up. I may put some rails up about the counter height and a long picnic table int he middle.

I did adjust the dimensions, its ended up 10X16 vs the original plan of 12X16 only because of the slop of the land, I would of needed much longer sonotubes and I travel 300+ miles to get there and didnt bring longer sonotubes. I pre build lots of stuff and haul it in an enclosed trailer. Anyway, a few pictures and this is how it stands today. Roof goes on in spring on 21.

And keeping wi th the park theme, I gave it the name "Teddy Roosevelt Memorial Kitchen/Shelter
Neat project, do you need to put any type of sealer or preservative on the logs or is getting them up off the ground enough to prevent rot?
 
Nice! How are you attaching the logs to each other?
 
Neat project, do you need to put any type of sealer or preservative on the logs or is getting them up off the ground enough to prevent rot?
It is a dry environment in eastern WA, 300+ days sunshine a year, but it should be settign in snow now. I will seal it all off using a wood stain, darker brown to keep with the USFS and US Parks theme. I am using Behr Wood Stain in N150-7 chocolate therapy.
 
Cool as hell!!!!
I want one in my yard just like it.
Hey, its strong, add in a few nice hanging couches, a fire pit in the middle, great way to hang out and BBQ, rain or shine.
 
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Nice! How are you attaching the logs to each other?
All done with 10" Timberlock screws, 3 minimum per point, 2 they would rock a bit, adding a 3rd, was solid. All the gussets, I just used one on each end (small diagonal bracing logs).

Headed up in April of 2021 to do roof. I have built a scale model using dowels, 12" =1" is the scale. This allows me to pre figure my lumber sizes to build the roof, I need to have an exact dimension to order the roofing metal. All metal roof is pretty much made to order. So the plan is to have it done in one trip last April.
The roof color/design will match my cabin and container. I did put a roof on container and its also painted in the same brown. Posted below to give you an idea on color/theme. So all the logs will be painted this brown along with underside of roofing.

I did spot and mark 3 more good sized beetle kills, tagged them for dropping, I may have some more when I get there. My next project will be a log swing set for the grand-kids and adults too.

I have a horseshoe pit also.
 

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OK, metal all in for the shelter roof, its all loaded up into ym enclosed cargo trailer along with all my construction tools. I have a nice group of volunteers who enjoy going over there and helping me, I have a small campground all set up with 6 sites, looks like the campground will be full in spring. Trying to make sure I have way more tools than I will need. So brought all I think I will use. I will post pictures, stain will come later in the year.
 

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Here she is, done! 2 days and very spendy lumber, I used 4X4 for my rafters, 15/32 plywood, 30# felt and then the metal roofing.
Also slabbed that 200+ yr old log snag, I dropped and skidded out, prob been dead for 50 years, evidence it went through a fire too.
 

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Bought one of those "Pilot Rock" picnic tables, these are the same ones used at national parts and state parks and US Forest Service campgrounds. ADA complaint etc.
 

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Is that stainless or aluminum. Or just steel?

kinda cool. I like it!
 
Is that stainless or aluminum. Or just steel?

kinda cool. I like it!
Its 2 3/8" OD galvanized tube. Its a Pilot Rock, I got the kit from Amazon, but was sold by Northern Tool, but fulfilled by Amazon. It was cheaper for me to use Amazon vs northern tool direct. Not by much, but enough. Was about $285 for the kit shipped. I had to buy the lumber locally.
The kit called for 5 of the 2X10's, all the feedback mentioned to go to 2X12 for the seats. I did just that and am glad I did. I also added washers for each end of the carriage bolts. The kit didnt come with any washers. I pre drilled all the holes in the top and in the seats, but didnt drill them for the diagonal sway brace, the kit came with a lag screw, I opted to use a full carriage bolt just like the rest of the hardware and drilled that hole last after it was all together.

Pilot Rock BTXG-FR Extra Heavy Duty Picnic Table Frame Kit


There is another kit by Pilot Rock, uses 1 5/8" tube, same exact design, smaller tubing, about $100 cheaper, still a top notch table.


If you want a picnic table that will last you the rest of your life, this is it. The Extra HD unit will last 2 lifetimes.

My next item for the back end of my shelter is another Pilot Rock item,

Pilot Rock Heavy-Duty Jumbo Steel Park-Style Charcoal Grill -24 1/4in. x 16 1/8in. Model Number CBP-247

 

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Headed to cabin again in a week, I do have my Pilot Rock BBQ grille as seen in my last photo. I have other projects, not sure if I will get this one planted this trip. Going to try.

I am a ham radio operator and this is "field day" weekend coming up and my campsites will be all but full, might even have a few boondoggers ie camping without a designated campsite. Going to be fun.

Field day is an excercise in emergency comunications, using remote sites, off grid, in the elements etc. This is the 9th year I have hosted this event on my 40 acres.
 
OK, just got back from cabin, I trenched from cabin to shelter, laid down 1" gray PVC conduit, will pull 10AWG THHN wire in next spring, I installed a 30A 120V inlet box, will tie shelter in there using it also as a junction point too. A small 2 or 4 space sub panel at the shelter, then wire it for lights, outlets and a pair of ceiling fans. So when cabin is hooked up to generator, shelter can be lit up, fans on for cooling and keeps bugs away too. I ran conduit up backside of post, didnt want to look at shelter from front and see conduit, would take away from that authentic look. Closed up for the winter now, be back in the spring thaw
 

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Can you provide some details on the solar well pump?
 
Can you provide some details on the solar well pump?
Absolutely can. Had well drilled in 2006, been capped till around 2014, with all the fights over water rights, told the wife, we need to get this in first. Good choice. Its 6" casing, 178 feet deep, 100 foot static water level, solar pump is about 20 feet off the bottom. under about 80 feet of water.

Its a "livestock well" set up. Farmers use this system to water their cattle. Got it from Advanced Power Inc Usually they sink a well, add a solar livestock set up, it fills a stock tank with a float switch to keep it full. No pressure tanks, nothing, no battery storage. The pipe to it is just 1/2" poly pipe. Pump is capable of delivering good pressure, but the end is never capped, its open. We pierce a small hole in the poly pipe about 4 feet below grade. The idea of this is to create a small internal leak so water can bleed down below frost line.

The 2 panels are 24V units, at 85 watts each, it was plug and play, but they appear to be parallel, so double the watts, voltage remains at 24. I can rotate the panels to follow the sun. I installed the enclosure to keep large wildlife away from it and unwanted visitors. In a farm scenario, the cows tend to scratch themselves on everything and will damage it.
I don't see my system on their site anymore, they have slightly different systems. Mine is 2 panels and the ranch pump, not the Merlin pump. But it was about $2300 for the set up, I opted for 200 feet of wire and no float switch. I was not feeding a stock tank.

The pipe coming out of the well head was plastic, I replaced it with metal in case a fire, it wouldn't melt the pipe and drop the pump to the bottom. The end just has a 1" PVC glue fitting I never glue anything in it, I just press in a hose adapter or a spout made from blue PEX for filling water jugs. The pipe from pump to wellhead is 1/2" black poly pipe, the pipe exiting the wellcap was changed to metal.

I go up to well, flip a switch, water runs out like a kitchen sink faucet. I fill a 55 gallon barrel, transfer it to my shower unit on the back of a Kawasaki Mule, them pump into shower barrel, it collects warm sun, I have a heated shower with good pressure, no pump involved. I do have a Mr Heater Aqua Cube I can use for warm shower water if needed. I can fill the blue jug from the overhead barrel now. I plumbed a spout to fill it. (picture was before plumbing in place) Added a shot of another pilot rock picnic table I dropped off, this was the smaller tubed unit, under 175 shipped, but the price jumped to 234, but its done it before and came back to 169. Comes down again, I will but 2 more. Super comfy and easy to get in and out of.

With the solar well, this makes it to where I do not have to leave, I have everything I need on site. Water is the key to life. I do have a back up transformer so if there is no sunlight, I can run well with generator.

When I am there and its sunny (most of the time) I let the well run, it was dark as first, then clear but tasted like minerals and now flows clear and taste clear.
 

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Absolutely can. Had well drilled in 2006, been capped till around 2014, with all the fights over water rights, told the wife, we need to get this in first. Good choice. Its 6" casing, 178 feet deep, 100 foot static water level, solar pump is about 20 feet off the bottom. under about 80 feet of water.

Its a "livestock well" set up. Farmers use this system to water their cattle. Got it from Advanced Power Inc Usually they sink a well, add a solar livestock set up, it fills a stock tank with a float switch to keep it full. No pressure tanks, nothing, no battery storage. The pipe to it is just 1/2" poly pipe. Pump is capable of delivering good pressure, but the end is never capped, its open. We pierce a small hole in the poly pipe about 4 feet below grade. The idea of this is to create a small internal leak so water can bleed down below frost line.

The 2 panels are 24V units, at 85 watts each, it was plug and play, but they appear to be parallel, so double the watts, voltage remains at 24. I can rotate the panels to follow the sun. I installed the enclosure to keep large wildlife away from it and unwanted visitors. In a farm scenario, the cows tend to scratch themselves on everything and will damage it.
I don't see my system on their site anymore, they have slightly different systems. Mine is 2 panels and the ranch pump, not the Merlin pump. But it was about $2300 for the set up, I opted for 200 feet of wire and no float switch. I was not feeding a stock tank.

The pipe coming out of the well head was plastic, I replaced it with metal in case a fire, it wouldn't melt the pipe and drop the pump to the bottom. The end just has a 1" PVC glue fitting I never glue anything in it, I just press in a hose adapter or a spout made from blue PEX for filling water jugs.

I go up to well, flip a switch, water runs out like a kitchen sink faucet. I fill a 55 gallon barrel, transfer it to my shower unit on the back of a Kawasaki Mule, them pump into shower barrel, it collects warm sun, I have a heated shower with good pressure, no pump involved. I do have a Mr Heater Aqua Cube I can use for warm shower water if needed. I can fill the blue jug from the overhead barrel now. I plumbed a spout to fill it. (picture was before plumbing in place) Added a shot of another pilot rock picnic table I dropped off, this was the smaller tubed unit, under 175 shipped, but the price jumped to 234, but its done it before and came back to 169. Comes down again, I will but 2 more. Super comfy and easy to get in and out of.

With the solar well, this makes it to where I do not have to leave, I have everything I need on site. Water is the key to life. I do have a back up transformer so if there is no sunlight, I can run well with generator.

When I am there and its sunny (most of the time) I let the well run, it was dark as first, then clear but tasted like minerals and now flows clear and taste clear.
Thanks for run down...as I digest this for my own property needs...I may send you a PM for some additional info/advice
 
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