DIY Log Arch or Log Hauler

 I decided a DIY Log Arch might be handy for hauling logs and  firewood from places it would be hard getting a regular trailer to. It would also help keep logs heading to the sawmill much cleaner.  So I started scrounging and found this old three point hitch back blade that I would likely never use.

A DIY Log Arch can be used to haul logs and keep them clean, or haul any logs and trees out for firewood, lumber or just clean up with minimal mess. It allows hauling large logs with a vehicle like a ATV, side by side, 4 wheeler or a tractor smaller than would normally be used. It can keep the logs completely off the ground when moving, or just elevate one end. Either way makes for cleaner and easier moving.

The goal was to use as much recycled materials as I could find.

I discover this old 3 point hitch drag. The main frame was perfect for the log arch.

A bit of cutting and design to see what pieces fit best for where and/or what.

So lets start cutting and welding

The main center beam is 8′ long. I left the rear frame as long as it was in the back blade, (which will will see later was shorten)  I wasn’t sure exactly how long it should be. It’s 36″ by about 36″

I found an old house trailer axle I decided to use.

I had thoughts of using the smaller axle in the next image, but decided against it. 

I found a couple old 15″ Ford or Jeep rims probably form the 1970’s. I’ll mount a couple used tires and we’ll be off to the races.

Note the bolts have been cut off to allow for a normal wheel to be attached. The inside pins are the exact pattern for the wheels I had, so I drilled them out and the wheels are attached to the hub with 5 – 1/2″ bolts acting as lug nuts.

Loaded up ready to go on it’s maiden test run. I was hoping both the 4 wheeler and log arch would fit together on the trailer. 

 Note on this first test run I used a come-a-long. I did not have a winch yet and I wanted to try it out. The come-a-long worked fine, it is just obviously a little slower than a winch. 

The first attempt was a complete success. 

It handled the log easily and backed right up on the trailer. I will say i really wish my 4 wheeler had power steering though.

This was part of a 36″ red oak I split to get it somewhat manageable and small enough for my Mill

 This is the second run. I had planned to cut this in half but decided to see if I could haul it. (OK, i forgot the screw gun so I couldn’t attach the ladder and use the Alaskan mill and I did not want to free hand this log) This is roughly 9′ of green red oak. I estimate it to be a little over 2100 pounds. I’m not sure I like this configuration with the pipes along the side, the pipes used for cross support may be to close together towards the front. I may need to figure a way to widen them a little. I am going to use it to see. Keeping the front of the log lower may have some advantages when raising the back. We shall see. 

On this run, the weight of the one ton plus log bent the frame slightly. I believe this was due to where I was dragging it from. Coming Across the hayfield it was rough and hilly. I had to go a little faster with the 4wheeler to maintain traction to get over some of the hills. I’m sure the pounding contributed to the issue.

So I’ll fix this by shortening the frame. It was actually longer than it should have been anyhow. Shortening it will double the frame member in the weakest spot, shorten the leverage against the frame and lower the center of gravity. 

I also added these U bolts. I don’t see this on any other builds, but the possibility of a cable break seems like a little precaution is in order. Should the cable snap, these are between me and the way back. I also plan to eventually make it so I can haul smaller stuff on top. This will keep that off the cable.

This is after the cut and reweld to shorten the  rear frame  and  fix the bend. This  should definitely make it stronger.

A 2″ ball coupler as planned was added to the DIY Log Arch

I’ve added a winch

Final dimensions: Main frame length is 8′. Minimum distance between inside the wheels is 26″. From ground to inside top is 46″

Oak Bar Cabinet

 Oak Bar Cabinet (my wife's xmas present) Making good on my mistake.

My wife wanted a Bar cabinet similar to one in her Pottery Barn Catalog. She typically finds something she wants and we "fix" the design. I have to admit, she is better at the implementation of a design than I am.

This one was pretty close to what she wanted though, or so we thought. Here is the original Picture as seen in the catalog.

So the first thing I did was take inventory on my wood supply. After showing some samples of what wood I had available (not much, my supply is getting low) she chose the native sawn oak.

The oak was sawn with my alaskian mill from a log segment similar to this one.

The lumber has been air drying for about 2 years now. It was just a flat sawn oak from left overs the loggers left behind. A couple of 4 and 5 foot chunks to gnarly for real logs, but just the way my wife likes them.

I then cut one edge square with a skill saw. The use of my home made bench hold downs were exceptionally helpful holding the pieces while I snapped a line and cut one edge with the skill saw.

Each piece is planed, and the cut edge is jointed on the Delta jointer.

If additional jointing was needed a quick shot with the #8 was in order.

Next I glued up the larger panels.

I'm not quite sure why I didn't glue in sections, but I ended up doing a lot of flattening. I know better, but I thought the joints were going to be a bit more even than they wound up to be. I used a combination of my #5 jack and my 604 to get them flat and even. Because of the grain and knots in this lumber, there was some apparent tear out.

To eliminate the tear out it was on to a combination of my scraper plane and cabinet scrapers.

Next was cutting the dados. For all the hand tool elitists, you need to close your eyes for this one. I decided to go ahead with my tried and true router and jig.

So here is where the story got a little interesting. I had it together dry, and my wife came into the shop. "A little short isn't it" was the response. Its 31" just like the dimensions in the catalog I said. But the catalog says 36". No, I printed them right off the web page. Long story short, one page said 31" and a second page said 36". Redesign!! We now need to add 5" somehow. This was a 2 am "I got it" revelation. Final design is actually better than original, but it took some "real" woodworking craft to pull it off. You know, the good woodworker knows how to cover his mistakes!

To raise the cabinet, I added a second drawer and moved the wine cubbies to the top. To do this I simply added the cubbies to the top of the existing cabinet. To secure it I first drilled and dry doweled the first top to the sides. I then screwed the first top to the added section of sides. This will be covered by a piece of live edge trim to hide it and give the assumption it was by design. This also allowed me to use a piece with a live edge for the "real and final" top. Adding a shelf to the open section filled the open space. Using another live edge gave it more of the look we were going for.

All actual ripping was done on my table saw, but the smoothing was done with my #60 ½ and the edges rounded with the ¼" molder.

Here is the new and final design. I need the 2 drawers and there will be a glass door on the left bottom.

Next Challenge was fastening the decorative steel on the corners. Thanks to Smitty, It will be done with some rusted old screws. The metal was a piece off an old piece of farm machinery discovered in the woods somewhere and dragged home. All I had to do was cut it to length. Cutting to length was completed with my horizontal metal band saw.

Next were the 2 drawers. Hand cut dovetails with my restored Disston 70 of course.

Now if you go over to Al's Hand Planes of your dreams thread it was suggested that this was done intentional to increase the probability of this becoming a plane cabinet. I think the odds of that are pretty slim.

I hope to have the drawers finished tonight with an update on how they came out.