Build Tiny Workshop

What an utter joy to spend a weekend with a barnyard of tiny house enthusiasts.  And, imagine, we got to build tiny houses too!

Last weekend was the latest Build Tiny Workshop in Berryville, VA.  Participants put together two new tiny houses from the trailer up during the event.  (Believe it or not, one was actually a tiny chapel!)

The Build Tiny Workshop is geared for adults of all ages, regardless of prior construction experience or skill.  In fact, Friday included basic carpentry instruction those who had never wielded a hammer.  By the end of the weekend everyone had an opportunity to screw, glue, haul, hoist, drill, cut and pound to their heart's desire.  The workshop included meals and camping too.  Heck, there was even a campfire with live singing and fresh strawberries!

As a bonus, participants were exposed to multiple styles of construction.  One home was an energy-efficient passive home made of Structural Insulated Plywood (SIP).  The other was assembled from weight-saving Structural Steel C-studs.  In addition to those built during the event, there were two more tiny house examples on site in varying stages of completeness framed in traditional dimensional lumber.

Beware, the workshop attracts a contagious bunch of creative, diverse, and hard-working folks who are extremely fun to hang out with.  My only regret was I had to leave early.  If you have any inkling to someday build a tiny house, then I highly recommend you make friends at the next Build Tiny Workshop.

Marine Folding Table Brackets

Tiny house builders are always looking for ways to save space without foregoing life's essentials.  Certainly high on my essentials list is enough table space to share a meal, play a game of cards, or support laptop computer.  Having a table that is easy to stow away when not in use is preferable.  One option is to mount a tabletop on a wall using a pair of brackets like those pictured here.  In the upright position these brackets lock in place to support a tabletop load up to 300 pounds.  Folded down, the table hangs on the wall, out of the way.

These brackets are sold on eBay in pairs for around $50  Although they can be adapted to tabletops of various widths, the table depth is restricted to around 30 inches.  This permits the table to clear the floor when folded down, and to rest at a functional height above the floor when in use.  I plan to employ them to support a table beneath a window that is just over 30 inches above the floor.  This arrangement will allow for seating on three sides with a wonderful view.

Table brackets are one of many kinds of marine hardware that can be easily adapted to tiny house living.  Other space-saving boat tables include pedestal tables, detached folding tables, and upright folding tables.