Kai Cruz's profile
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Reviews
Review about Pat Wolfe Log Building School, Lanark
14 years ago
I personally had a very disappointing experience on this course. B. M. the instructor was very motivated by money and the main aims of the course – to teach students the full scribe logbuilding technique often came second to his desire to get the house finished in order for it to be sold at a profit. Important areas like the purlins, ridgepost and truss were rushed through, and no comprehensive notes / guide were provided. B. was also not much of a teacher – yelling at students in a way that made me think that he had forgotten that he was no longer in the army. I would also question the techniques taught. Putting pink fibre glass insulation between logs not using a water and airtight gasket and using an adze to hollow out the lateral groove are really out of date now. Safety was also an issue with students having to balance on top of rounds of logs with a chainsaw - sometimes when logs were wet or icy, and with no scaffold or safety equipment. There were several injuries when I was there. Before signing up to the course, I wrote to many of the ex students listed on the schools website - the responses were overwhelmingly positive. However, I realized after signing up, that most of the former students listed had been taught by Pat Wolfe himself. The school has since been sold to B. M., and seems to have gone downhill. I am not surprised that B. has not listed more recent students on his website - as referees. On balance, I don’t think I could recommend this school.
more than 6 months ago
I took said course with Pat Wolfe. There are better courses in Westetn Canada, and I hope it isn't all about money, as Pats was. I feel ripped off taking this program, mostly because I with 16 other people we built a log home for Pat to sell at a profit. I'm sure he got a kick back from the Barracks we stayed in, and the $3500 we dropped on ybe tools needed. Safety was not a concern for Pat, as we also stood on logs on ice and like others, I also fell off the wall. Years later to find I tore my ACL in that fall. The first day was a joke.. because after getting our tools Pat walked us around his property introducing us to the vegetation and trees. Lastly, Pat never really took the time to get to know the people taking his course. I was given the idea that I could build my own home Ha!! After the couse I unfortunately hooked up with one of the students (Pic McM) 100% Scammet, builder, that said he knew what he was doing, and guaranteed to help us build some guys log home. Well buddy scammed me for $18,000 and the home owner of the cabin. Pic, ruined my reputation and robbed me. There are courses in Western Canada.
I attended the log building course in 2011 and I fully agree with you. BM sold a product which he didn´t have! I think it is very sad that the Pat Wolfe Log Building School has changed so much - to the worse. Pat Wolfe started the school and he was a gifted instructor - very difficult to succeed. And unfortunately BM doesn´t have any of PW`s qualities. Therefore I can not recommend the school either - if you really want to learn log building - then find another school.