"Dear Abby"

So... A couple of guys walk into the bar. One of them is a Software Engineer and the other is a Log Builder. They pass a bit of small talk back and forth and discover they have quite a few interests in common. 

A couple of beers later the software guy says to the log builder... “I’d like you to meet "Abby".

The log builder looks around expecting to see the guy's girlfriend - instead he sees a big orange robot...

The Ultimate New Tool?

Dusko Ballmer with "Abby" at Nicola LogWorks

All of us at Nicola LogWorks have been riding a wave of anticipation as John and Dusko (the software guy), teach "Abby" (a big orange ABB robot how to log build).

Expanding Our Capabilities

We've dubbed this endeavour "TeknowLogia" (Log Homes Re-Imagined), and this venture will add a new product line to our custom handcrafted log and timber homes. 

Revolutionary Technology

This new and more affordable product line is made possible by incorporating the brain-child of Dusko Ballmer (Ballmer Systems Inc) who has single-mindedly spent the last decade developing a robot assisted system of log building that maintains the natural shape of the logs, and with John's input, faithfully replicates handcrafted joinery.

Thinking out of the Box: Cut by a Machine; Not Machine Cut 

Dusko has invented a process that can accommodate the unique characteristics of each log in every building - just like log builders do. This is the opposite approach to that of machine cut "log home" producers who must force natural logs to conform to their machines, thereby sacrificing the aesthetic value of natural logs, not to mention generating an enormous amount of wood waste.

A Patented Process

We Love Abby

When John met Dusko about 9 years ago, Dusko already had patented his scanning technology (the key part of the process), and was making significant progress towards proving a robotic production technique that would feature the organic, natural character of the logs. John thought that Dusko's concept was well suited to Piece en Piece log home construction, and was intrigued by the possibilities.

As he worked towards his final iteration, Dusko would, from time to time confer with John for a log builder's input on joinery technique and best practices before going back to the "drawing board".

A Collaboration is Born...

About 8 months ago, John sought Dusko's expertise on an upgrade that John was planning for our

Piece-en-Piece Log Work; Nicola LogWorks

own production equipment. As it happened, Dusko was ready to move from development to production. All he needed was log building know-how to implement it...and  the idea of a collaboration was born.

Five weeks ago, while John poured concrete and upgraded the electrical, Dusko with his two dogs and Brandon (his very talented apprentice), as well as "Abby" and the various parts and pieces that comprise The Ballmer System, crossed the country to Merritt, where Nicola LogWorks is now the proud owner of "Abby" and all of her accessories. 

Currently Dusko is setting up his system and implementing his robotic technology while John and team implement the building procedures and establish the quality levels that "Abby" must live up to. 

Teaching a Machine to think like a Log Builder

Since we have made this investment our team has grown by 3 and this revolutionary new tool will actually be assisting our team of talented builders. Incorporating the new technology is pretty disruptive, but it is also very stimulating. John says it is forcing all of us to look at everything we do and ask; "Does this add value to the customer? Does it make sense? Does it achieve or can it surpass the quality levels that we aim for?

Transferable Skills  

Can Abby meet our Standards?

Our log building team has a wealth of accumulated knowledge and practical skills, and now instead of spending all day running a chainsaw, they can apply their know-how towards further developing and improving the new system while leaving the heavy repetitive work to "Abby".

And that's not a bad thing!

What's Next?

Now on the Canada Day Long Weekend - we are about a week away from cutting our first contract; a piece-en-piece home and garage destined for the UK

There is lots more to tell you - particularly the joint and separate plans that Dusko and John have for Teknowlogia.

Thanks for reading - I'll keep you posted very soon, hopefully with a video showing Abby in action!

 The Log Builder's Wife

 

A Small Dovetail Log Cabin - built with Massive Ponderosa Pine

A Homage to the Ponderosa

As the pine trees of British Columbia fell victim to the Mountain Pine Beetle we had the opportunity to pay tribute to the Ponderosa Pine - that iconic tree of the dry belt region.

Back in 2009 I wrote:

3 courses of logs bring the walls to plate height of 9'4" 

 "We are working on a very unusual little building using very large beetle killed Ponderosa.

These majestic trees - so iconic of the inter-mountain desert, are fast disappearing and we will never see their like again.

I hope to build one or two local structures that will remind generations to come of these beautiful giants."


 We hope you enjoy this video story of a Dovetail Log Home built with "Denim Pine"

Silly Gone to Seed - "Safety Gurl to the Rescue!"

Something light to start 2016. Cartoon number 2: "The Adventures of Safety Gurl"

Contributed by: "The Log Builder's Wife".

Happy New Year and a Safe and Pleasant 2016 

from 

John Boys and the Heavy Timber Team at Nicola LogWorks.
Click here for more "Silly Gone to Seed"

The Wide Wood Building; The Fort McMurray Airport

Quality of Finish: When Wood is Good - Episode: # 2

There's lots of talk these days about tall wood buildings - but have you ever heard anyone speak about "wide wood" structures? Wide wood is how Beth Denny of OMB (the architects on the project), describes the use of cross laminated timbers and glu-lam in the Fort McMurray Airport.

Back in October of 2014, Fred Provost, Chris Bur and John Boys of Nicola LogWorks who was the mass wood installer on the project, had the opportunity to visit the now completed building and were suitably impressed.

John and Chris and Fred enjoyed seeing the transformation of the airport from work in progress to completed structure

At the time of construction, the Fort McMurray Airport was among the first commercial projects in Western Canada specifying CLT and Glu-lam in lieu of more conventional materials. Originally this building did not incorporate mass wood and the decision to utilize wood was made after the design process had already begun.

The quality of the finish (stain), on the mass wood members is a primary factor, in our opinion, of why "wood is good" in this project. It highlights the wood, showcases the design and in combination with the organic appeal of wood infuses the building with an inviting warmth.

What if...conventional materials had been used in the airport?

 Would this structure make the same impact if concrete and steel had been used?
The Log Builder's Wife generated a rough mock-up of what the building might have looked (and felt) like... (Brrrrrr.)

Having the opportunity to see the Fort McMurray Airport finished and in use was very encouraging as this project was particularly challenging for Nicola LogWorks - and one which John often uses as an example of "lessons learned" rather than "wood is good".

That said, the lessons learned have been shared with others whose intent and interests lie in design/build process and have served Nicola LogWorks well in in helping to anticipate possible obstacles and work-flow problems on subsequent projects. All's well that ends well as they say and the finished airport meets the all of the expectations and hype that surrounded it while under construction. Wood is Good!

Roof Framing Crew - November (photo Andreas Fricke)

Highpoints of this job also included the support and expertise of EQ (Equilbrium Consulting); the engineers on the project as well as the fine team of Nicola LogWorks employees and our colleagues who contributed their talents and expertise as sub-contractors; Fred Provost of Gray Valley Quality Wood Work, Jay McKimm of Blue Water Timber Framing and last but not least: Andreas Fricke of Big Horn Timber Frames who stayed on to help Ledcor by undertaking much of the subsequent work that tied into the mass-wood. Brave man! (The snow picture is to his credit.)

Below are a few images of the panels produced by Structurlam Products Inc. (The pretty finished pictures can be viewed at OMB - see link at top of article.)  

And that concludes "when wood is good" episode #2. Contributed by The Log Builder's Wife.

Cross Laminated Timber Window Install

When Wood is Good!        Episode #1

Green, sustainable, efficient and cost effective. When CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) structures are  well thought out and pre-planned during the design stage they can easily live up to all of the hype.

The key to successful projects is in understanding the material (organic) and to anticipate it's unique characteristics by developing sequences, details and procedures in a colloborative environment during the design phase.

Here is a video showing a successful example of a standard "off the shelf" glazing detail that was incorporated into the design of a tall wood building.

 

or click here to view: Window Install
Watch for future episodes of "When Wood is Good" as we explore the benefits of working with massive timbers, cross laminated timber, glu-lam and other engineered wood as well as log and timber.

Silly Gone To Seed...Cartoon #1: "The Broken Invoicing Machine"

Having committed herself to celebrating the absurd rather than indulging the long loud wail of the self-employed, the Log-Builder's Wife plans to cartoon our "Tales From the Field" from time to time under the banner of "Silly Gone to Seed".  Here is Cartoon #1. We hope you get a laugh too! 

Invoicing Machine!?

Contracts. Signed. Sealed. Witnessed.

The question is...are the 5lb, 3" thick documents (5" once you add the addendums and strike-throughs), worth the paper that they are written on)?
Time to look into the Prompt Payment Act that got us motivated to blog in the first place. Has anybody heard whether that passed into legislation in Ontario yet?

They Could have Dropped off the Face of the Earth...

By "The Log-Builder's Wife"

With John and half our fantastic team of Heavy Timber Specialists working on a CLT and Glu-Lam build in the Gulag and with Andreas Fricke with the rest of the crew on a Glu-Lam install in Saskatoon, I thought I should undertake a blog post while they are away.

The Gulag – you ask? That’s just what I am calling it since communications are extremely difficult and for a period of time they were cut off completely. They could have dropped off the face of the earth – or have been banished to Siberia.
In any case they may as well be east of the sun and west of the moon, or to be slightly more accurate: South of Fort MacMurray and North of Lac La Biche.

By the way – any opinions put forth in this post are entirely my own and I plan not to rant as it’s becoming extremely boring and predictable. Most of my rants are set off by paper-work anyway and I hate to admit it –some of the paper-work and compliance docs that I rail against are inspired by sincere concern and motivation to keep workers alive, in good health and coming home to their families. As an employer and spouse I can relate to that! (That is actually a point that John made from favourable observation of the Owners on the project that he is currently working on).

Circa '94. Not a practice we'd do today. Even if had our own TV Show!

Where compliance and procedure get legitimately frustrating is when those who are “in charge” seem to have lost sight of the intent of the rules and guidelines and use their authority more as an opportunity to throw their weight and will around. Personal ego impeding progress or even supporting un-safe practices while hiding being the rock-solid skirts of “just going by the book”.
Unfortunately “the book” does not always apply to what is expedient and safe in heavy timber. Ideally strategies should be developed in cooperation – but in the situation I am thinking about it appears that control and adversity are the motivators. This could be crazy-making – but sometimes you just gotta laugh because it is all so patently obvious and absurd as to what is really going down.

I’ve often wondered about the type of people that different jobs attract. Border guards for example… and I know one cannot (should not) generalize – but I have at times been very grateful knowing when crossing the US/Canadian border, that if that big dame packin’ and swaggering about like John Wane actually used her weapons rather than just verbally intimidating me, there would be some layer of accountability. (Not like some places in the world where people of that propensity are not reigned in).

Or how about those guys who work for collections? It’s been decades since we (through relying on a poorly informed bookkeeper – not me!) fell on the wrong side of WCB (OSHA) as regards remittance. “Mr Smith” was an extremely scary man and I did not want to get hurt. I wonder – did the “hector-the-collector” job suit his personality? A natural bully? Or maybe he just put on his “bully suit” when he got to the office in the morning and took it off before going home with a stop for yoga and a vegan take-out.

"Show me your tools...and I'll tell you if you are a log-builder".

Or the PST (that is provincial sales tax) auditor who examined our books a couple of years ago to see if we had been remitting. (We had). I’m happy to say that I stopped him short in his tracks – when in the course of backing up the legitimacy of our non-pst-able transactions I came across one where we should have remitted and that he had missed.
“Why are you telling me this”, he asked after a long silence. “We try to operate with integrity”, I responded, “and expect others to do the same”. 
I really felt bad for this fellow – working in a hair-splitting job like that could really injure the soul. But hey – just because I hate paper-work does not mean its evil….right? Maybe that was his happy-place.

I could go on…and I bet you have stories you could add. But much better shared around a camp fire where complaints become jokes to laugh at rather than the long loud wail of the self-employed!

Actually what got me thinking about the careers and jobs and the type of people who choose them was a run in with an acquaintance yesterday. She introduced me to her companion as the wife of a local log builder – “you know like in the reality TV show “The Timber Kings”. Hmmmm. “Don’t worry”, she added, “John will get his turn one day”. HMMMMM. I don’t think she believed me when I said that it was not our goal to ‘go and do likewise’.

I am so very grateful for our log-building colleagues, many of whom credit our roots to Allan Mackie and his School of Log Building. Particularly I am grateful to those who I have come to know as family through our mutual membership and involvement within the ILBA (International Log Builder’s Association). I look forward to our AGM’s where we get caught up on the latest tool, jig, and procedure. Where we share, show, and show off our innovations and discoveries with each other.

85-86? The B.Alan Mackie School of Log Building in Prince George BC, where many of the well-known names of today's log building industry began an adventure and learning curve that contributed to the "popularizing" of log homes. B. Allan Mackie Photo

It feels like a family gathering every time. And so it is. And here is what we really share; the common ground that transcends us from being merely industry colleagues or competitors. The log builders that I am thinking of are all innovators, problem-solvers and are fascinated and engaged by procedure. Those traits supersede our common craft and trade. I believe it is unusual that so many like-minded, inquisitive and enthusiastic people were drawn to this method of construction. I wonder about that.

As one of our colleagues said about our group…”it doesn’t matter who you vote for – or what flavour your religion. What ties us together is that we agree on which tool is the best”.

That concludes my somewhat aimless ramble and blog post. Thanks for reading!

“The Log-Builder’s Wife” 

(Oh – credit where credit is due: The Gulag Team: John Boys, Frederic Provost, Christian Bur, Dexter Devorkin and Graig Goodman. The Saskatoon Team: Andreas Fricke leading (thank you so much!) – Jay McKimm, Daryle Shackelly and on the crane (drum roll) Jochen Wagenblast and Owen Gregory!

STRANGER THAN FICTION

There are strange things done in the midnight sun;
Where men go seeking oil,
Where the blackflies bite, and the tar sands ooze
Where sniffer-dogs seek drugs and booze.

But stranger still are the contracts made,
When construction crews are needed,
For their expertise and common sense,
(which is rarely ever heeded)!

But the strangest thing we’ve ever seen,
(And verbatim we have quoted),
Is this sentence in a document,
Where safety rules were noted.

“…do not urinate or defecate in the stairwells, electrical rooms or bottles” , and ” Do not wipe fecal matter on washroom walls…”

Full Stop!

Got Our Attention!

(We are either going to be working with degenerate Neanderthals, or the people we will be working for are so horrible it drives good people to insanity – or is that unsanitary!?)

Funny in a tragic sort of way.

Written by John Boys and "The Log Builder's Wife" 
(inspired by the poem; The Cremation of Sam McGee, by Robert W. Service)

...and funny in a lovely sort of way; Sacha the dog welcomes Jean home from his work on the Wood Innovation Design Centre (WDIC) in Prince George, BC.

BORN TO BURN!

" I Love to Burn!....I was BORN to Burn!"... 
...A quote from one of the fine fellows helping us meet our delivery schedule of the charred wood panels which will be featured on the exterior of WDIC (The Wood Innovation Design Centre) in Prince George.

John had a great time researching this ancient art and the traditional methods of wood burning, as well as a range of other methods.

This video shows how Nicola LogWorks is approaching the burn (which has it's own unique twist, as the cedar material is pre-treated with an intumescent solution)...

By "The Log Builder's Wife"

If Fish is Good for the Brain - then Fishing must be Better!

Our last holiday...was that late 1990's or early 2000's?

Contributed by "The Log Builder's Wife"

It's been too long, I think, since Mr Boys and I have had a holiday...

...most of you who know us have seen this picture a couple of times - and you have to admit for bragging rights - it's worth a second look. (We caught this salmon in our double-ocean-going-kayak which I bought John for his birthday because I wanted it).

...But I think it may be a bit pathetic to keep dragging this picture out because we don't have anything recent to share!

Over 20 years ago, John decided that we should cut ourselves off from TV, in order to use that time for recreation - walk the dogs, go mountain biking and so on...

So we have not had TV since 1994, but rather than using those hours for recreation - we, and particularly John, found it easy to fill those hours with work and more work. Easy to do when you enjoy the challenges of your work like John does - and hard to tear oneself away from it for that same reason!

Never the less, I'm thinking that all work and no play could make John a dull boy which is why I've decided to take up fishing, and I'm going to take Johnny with me! (A lot!)  

So when you phone Nicola LogWorks and you get the message telling you that we are on another call - I hope we are out answering the call of the wild, following the the lure of the lure and testing the old adage: Work fills the time allotted!

Will keep you posted on the success of this experiment! 

Gone Fishing! (The Log Builder's Wife)

The Problem with Cross Laminated Timber is...

ESB UBC - Great Fun: Great Contractor, Engineer and Architect.

By John Boys

The new Wunderkind and current trend-darling in commercial construction is cross laminated timber (CLT) panels. Paired with glue-lam timbers and other engineered wood products it is making possible the construction of tall wood buildings. CLT is being touted as the green alternative to concrete, the building material that makes for speedy and efficient assembly, allows for flexible and innovative design, and all at a competitive cost to conventional materials such as tilt-up concrete.

And they are all of that – or rather they could be.

UBC O - Great Design/Build Team

Our team has had more experience in the installation of CLT in North America than most, and as heavy timber specialists (with roots in log-building and timber framing) we are excited by its potential and the possibilities it affords, but concerned that if the bottom-line expectations are not realized, that this revolutionary shift in how we build may disappear before it has proved it’s potential.

On projects where we have been given sufficient time to trouble-shoot, communicate, pre-plan and sequence our part of the work we can achieve the “just-like-lego-time-lapse-look-at-em-go scenario” that we are all anticipating.  Our team thrives on the well-coordinated dance of carefully rehearsed steps, meeting or exceeding our planned schedule when we finally “go live”. Who doesn’t like to look good!

UBC-O; interesting design

But it could be even better (and not only for us), if we and some of the other key trades and/or material suppliers were allowed both information and input much earlier in the design stage. Pre-planning in isolation and extrapolating information from incomplete final plans makes it awkward to contribute any solutions other than those which address absolutely un-workable details and/or connections.

While most trades people are not engineers, nor do all of us have a flair for design, cost effective, safe and even elegant solutions at material interfaces can be achieved if we are included (as appropriate) to define logical breaks in scope of work and to consider possible challenges long before these issues come up at the construction site.

UBC-O; connections +more connections

And it is on the job site, where the success of the design and planning can be gauged and measured. Assuming that the prime contractor, heavy timber specialists and material suppliers are competent, and that the plans and specifications are well thought out, a wonderful and choreographed dance begins to take place. If any of the above fall short, there are a lot of steel toed shoes getting stepped on…

So how is any of the above a “Problem with Cross-Laminated Timber”? In reviewing my words, it reads more like a rant about not being included!

In part, it is. I believe there are two things that threaten the future use of CLT in commercial structures, the first that we are often treating a new material as a substitute to the well understood materials (such as tilt-up concrete) to which we are accustomed.

3 D modelling. Not just for architects any more! (UBC-O)

Do we anticipate the challenging characteristics of this organic material (UV, rain, snow…shrinkage, expansion, iron staining…) and the associated costs? And are we taking full advantage of the benefits (precision CNC prefabrication, light weight, high strength to weight, visual qualities, insulation...)?

What tolerances are achievable and how does that affect specifications? Do the connection methods allow us to efficiently bridge the differing tolerances? Concrete+/- 30mm, steel +/- 3 mm, wood +/- 3mm, engineered connectors +/- 1mm, glazing systems....?

Using this new material effectively, in my opinion, requires a mind-shift that addresses its individual properties as well as a re-think of how we connect with the other components of the structure, and goes back to my pre-amble on pre-planning and brings me to the second point:

Pre-planning resolves breaks in scope, discovers solutions, arrives at efficient procedures and defines what is expected of the trades and helps them to submit well considered and inclusive bids resulting in fewer change orders and realistic budgeting.  In short, pre-planning can save money and my money is on the bottom line when determining the future of CLT.

UBC O CLT: as Espressed Structure; the talents ofMcFarland-Marceau

A great deal of our inspiration for CLT in North America is derived from the success stories in Europe and the common factor in all of these examples is that all the projects were built on a foundation that incorporated sophisticated 3D modelling and that a great deal of time (and money) was spent in pre-fabrication and sequencing strategies.

3D modelling and pre-planning means a significant up-front investment. 

It also involves a radical shift in how we approach design, engineering and the bid process and it allows all of us to be accountable. I wonder if that is possible…However it seems logical and expedient, that a revolutionary new type of structure should also generate a radical change in how we work together.

In closing, the “Log Builder’s Wife” tells me she could have made the point a bit more succinctly; her quote on the topic: “We can sing Green till we are Blue in the face, but if Green equals Red, then Black will trump Green!”).

I could go on at length and in more detail on this topic, but perhaps that is better saved for another day. In the meantime, I would be interested to know if I am alone in my concerns for the future of CLT in North America. Your comments welcomed.

 

"I'd like to harp on 3D modeling a little more..."