This video documents a DIY construction project to build a temporary, mobile shelter for a Woodland Mills lumber mill. Faced with permitting delays for a larger client project, the hosts, Kyle and Greg, utilize an American elm log from their yard as primary material. The process involves felling, sectioning, and milling the "green" (wet) elm on the very machine it is meant to protect. They construct a basic post-frame structure on casters, employing board-and-batten siding and custom-cut wood shingles. The project embraces a "good enough" approach, acknowledging and navigating the inherent imperfections and challenges of working with unseasoned, self-milled lumber. Despite some design adjustments and on-the-fly problem-solving, the finished "timber cover" provides significant weather protection for the mill.
Summarizing the "DIY Lumber Mill Cover" Project
0:00 - Project Introduction: Due to permitting delays for a main client job, Kyle and Greg undertake a side project to build a temporary, yet likely long-term, shelter for their Woodland Mills lumber mill, which is currently exposed to the weather. They decide to use a readily available elm log.
1:03 - Sourcing & Milling Lumber: They cut and transport an elm log from their yard, emphasizing that while not premium lumber, it's suitable for a temporary project and will be used "green" (un-dried).
3:53 - Shelter Concept: The goal is to construct a "little house" on casters for the lumber mill, allowing it to be easily rolled out for use and back for protection.
6:05 - Siding Style Shift: An initial plan for heavy horizontal lap siding is abandoned for a board-and-batten style, which requires shorter (4.5 ft) pieces, making them easier to handle and better suited to the log's natural curve.
10:32 - Custom Shingle Decision: They commit to milling their own roof shingles from the elm, aiming for a thickness of 1/4 to 3/8 inch, prioritizing a unique aesthetic over simpler roofing options.
12:19 - Framing Material: A cleaner elm log is milled into 4x4 columns and girts for the structure's frame.
13:30 - "Good Enough" Philosophy: Assembling the frame highlights inconsistencies in the self-milled lumber's dimensions. Kyle adopts a "good enough" approach for this project, contrasting it with the precision required for upcoming client work.
21:16 - Design Adjustment & "Wabi-Sabi": A design flaw is discovered where the bottom girt was installed too low, making the pre-cut siding too short. They adapt by adding another girt higher up, jokingly embracing "wabi-sabi" (finding beauty in imperfections).
24:01 - Frame Squaring Challenge: Moving the heavy, screwed-together frame into a square position proves difficult, eventually requiring a strap and a tractor to achieve alignment.
24:50 - Siding Installation: Wet elm siding, with variable thicknesses (3/4-7/8 inch), is installed. The crew anticipates warping and plans to use battens to cover gaps.
27:23 - Battens for Weather Protection: Kyle explains that battens are essential to cover the siding gaps, preventing wind-driven snow from reaching the machine and causing rust, especially important for the harsh northern Illinois winters.
34:01 - Siding Edge Regret: Kyle reflects on a past decision (attributed to Greg) not to mill clean, straight edges on the siding, which complicates batten alignment due to the inconsistent board dimensions.
35:34 - Roof Preparation: The roof is prepared with scrap vapor dry (seen as overkill but providing good protection) and cedar breather before the custom elm shingles are installed.
37:40 - Shingle Application: 16-inch custom elm shingles are installed using a shingle gun, with courses marked to ensure a minimum 1-inch double overlap, contributing to the rustic aesthetic.
43:50 - Live Edge Ridge Cap: The final roofing detail is a live edge ridge cap, a 1-inch thick elm board screwed down to prevent curling and add a unique visual element.
46:30 - Final Reveal & Outlook: The completed "timber cover" (also called "cutter cover") is showcased, largely built from American elm with some engineered wood elements. The project is deemed successful in providing 90% better weather protection for the mill. Kyle acknowledges the "green" wood will shrink and warp but invites viewer feedback for potential future door solutions.