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In the last post on Replacing a Rotted Log - I had removed a log that was rotted and weakened by wood boring insects.

Now that the old log has been removed I have to focus on prepping the new log that will be inserted and spiked in its place.

Using a large blunt masonry chisel I scrape and peel away all of the bark. The log is still a bit green which makes bark removal relatively easy. Removing bark from a seasoned log goes much faster.

If this were a larger log I would use a spud. A spud is a long handled tool sort of like a garden hoe but with a wide flat and blunt end. A blunt end ensures that you do not cut into the wood as the idea is to remove only the bark. A sharp tool would bite into the wood.

Read more about replacing a rotted log

I began attacking the second basement. It was one of those areas that got out of control. Well I’m taking control back. — l’ll use a portion of the room and put in a workshop of sorts.

Its a room of mostly log and stone walls 16′ by 57′. For years it has been general storage - mostly junk - not even stuff that I could put on Ebay. I did however save the wood. I’ll put that to good use.

Read more about preparing for a workshop

Finally an update.

The porch windows have been fixed — painted on the outside and ready for final paint on the inside. New panes of glass have been installed in each.

I still have to scrape off a little of the paint that got on the panes but thats not a big deal. Each hinge was also removed and cleaned. There were a couple of windows that were in such bad shape that they had to be rebuilt entirely — of course Ash was used as in the originals.