I receive numerous emails asking great questions. Although I try to answer all emails and questions sometimes it can be difficult to keep up.

I’ve decided to open up another avenue to talk to readers.

I am available - when on line - via Yahoo Instant Messenger for those on you on PC as well as IChat and AIM for PC users. I use both a PC and Mac.

We can talk via instant message typing away or if you like using video and sound be able to hear and see each other using any of the noted messaging systems as long as you have a web cam and microphone.

Read more on chatting with Bearfort

Removing paint from logs is no easy task. The video here demonstrates one method.

Painted logs present a problem as described in an earlier post - removing that paint present another problem - how to do it. You can use chemical strippers but this would be extremely costly, take a tremendous amount of time and create an environmental mess.

There have been suggestions of using a high pressure power washer. Forget it. Not only will you be soaking the logs with unwanted water but it is terribly inefficient in paint removal.

You can use a grinder with sanding pads but this is also inefficient as you will go through pads quickly and have great difficulty getting into small areas.

Read more on stripping paint from logs

Here is a fun video of a man building his own log home.

The video is a slide show showing his progress

He has done a wonderful job.

Here is a short video of someone peeling a log for a log home using a tool called a spud. A spud is a long or short handled tool with a flat and dull head at the business end.

The reason for using a dull tool is to prevent the edge from digging into the wood. When debarking a log you generally just want to remove the bark. There are some that will use a draw knife. A draw knife is a blade with two handles on either side of the blade. When using a draw knife one would straddle the log and pull the draw knife towards you.

See the video

Trying to incorporate some video into the site here - and first up is a walk through of the house at Carley Brook Farm