Splitting the Base Logs.
Coping each end of log to form the lapping joints, exactly as done on real traditional "Lincoln Logs" building sets, was done on a table saw. The trick is to pair up two logs by screwing them together at their center. This keeps them from rolling. You then use a miter gauge, set the blade to 1/2" high, and take multiple passes to create the dadoes. No sweat, just takes some time.
In this shot, two of the logs have just been ripped. See, the first logs on the left and right sides must be half-logs. To rip these, again I screwed two logs together, this time using the little bits of plywood as shown. Note the small chunks of plywood in the upper right, stuck in the notches. These are there to "index" the logs, assuring the notch seats are parallel so that the logs will lap properly after bing ripped. So these two started out as full logs, with flaws on the outer halves. I ripped them to 1" thick, as you see here, which is one half the diameter.
The next step right after this is to unscrew the two, then hit 'em with a palm sander to ease the edges and smooth 'em a bit.
Splitting the Base Logs.
Coping each end of log to form the lapping joints, exactly as done on real traditional "Lincoln Logs" building sets, was done on a table saw. The trick is to pair up two logs by screwing them together at their center. This keeps them from rolling. You then use a miter gauge, set the blade to 1/2" high, and take multiple passes to create the dadoes. No sweat, just takes some time.
In this shot, two of the logs have just been ripped. See, the first logs on the left and right sides must be half-logs. To rip these, again I screwed two logs together, this time using the little bits of plywood as shown. Note the small chunks of plywood in the upper right, stuck in the notches. These are there to "index" the logs, assuring the notch seats are parallel so that the logs will lap properly after bing ripped. So these two started out as full logs, with flaws on the outer halves. I ripped them to 1" thick, as you see here, which is one half the diameter.
The next step right after this is to unscrew the two, then hit 'em with a palm sander to ease the edges and smooth 'em a bit.