Tiny House

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by TheEconomist, Jun 14, 2014.


  1. stg58

    stg58 Monkey+++ Founding Member

    If you have access to a pre 1940's early 50's house that is being torn down and can salvage real 2 X 4 through 2 X 12's made from old growth timber versus genetically engineered (weaker) fast growing pine, in good condition it is far better than what you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes.

    I picked up a bunch of unplanned 2 X 4 and 2 X 6' from a house built in 1923 that are incredible.
     
    chelloveck likes this.
  2. HK_User

    HK_User A Productive Monkey is a Happy Monkey

    From experience, be ready to drill nail holes! That wood can be so tough that nails just bend.
     
    Pax Mentis, chelloveck, ghrit and 2 others like this.
  3. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    I saw a couple of the mini houses on wheels at the expo.
    After seeing the price and how it's built.
    Pretty sure a handy man/woman could build one for less than half/ trailer included.
     
    chelloveck and oldawg like this.
  4. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    I grew up in a house that was built in 1917. Some of the plaster had deteriorated and exposed the studs in the walls under the lath. They were very rough sawn oak and they were not 2x4. They were much larger. I don't know how they attached the lath, but there was no such thing as driving a nail into that stuff. Maybe they had tougher nails in those days.
     
    chelloveck likes this.
  5. Airborne Monkey

    Airborne Monkey Gorilla Survivalpithecus

    They are catching-on everywhere. I've actually been thinking about getting into the business just for the heckuvit.

    The big expense is the suspension system, the axles, frame, tires and rims, etc.
     
  6. TheEconomist

    TheEconomist Creighton Bluejay

    Back in 1917 people were as tough as nails so the hardware had to be tougher.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 8, 2015
  7. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    http://www.grancrete.net/

    Frame it, put in ridif foam to make a 'wall' - spray on the Grancrete - dries in under 30 min. Paint or stucco. Move in.

    The Grancrete family of products solves tough problems due to unique characteristics:
    • Strong — between 6,000 & 8,000 PSI
    • Short curing time — ~15 to 20 minutes
    • pH Tolerant — 3 to 11
    • Impervious to water, including salt water
    • Cures under water
    • Bonds to all surfaces except glass and plastics
    • Does not expand or contract
    • Will not burn — tolerates temperatures > 2,200°F
    • Sets in cold temperatures — < 30°F
    • Long life span — > 100 years
    • Sprayed, Poured, Troweled, or Painted
    THe only thing this stuff won't do is pay your taxes.....
     
    BTPost and chelloveck like this.
  8. Tempstar

    Tempstar Monkey+++

    Those cost as much as the 1600' I live in. Think I'll live in the closet this weekend and see how it feels.
     
  9. BlueDuck

    BlueDuck Monkey+++

    I have a small cabin up here in north Idaho. Here are couple of tips to think about with a small place especially with a loft in cold country. Id use the loft for storage. With whatever you use for heat, keep in mind that 68 or 70 degrees at eye level and below will be 85 or more in the loft. Way better for storage then sleeping. As you get older you will want to minimize the number of times you have to go up and down those steps.
     
    chelloveck likes this.
  10. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    In a small Cabin, with an Insulated Loft, one thing to do is put your Domestic Water Supply, up in the loft.... This gives you Gravity Fed Water, and as long as you keep the cabin interior above 35F, you will always have liquid water.... You can also put Copper Water Coils in your Cabin Heat Source, and have Running Hot & Cold Domestic Water, using a Thermal-Syphon System that has NO MOVING PARTS.... It actually costs you nothing in Heating BTUs, as any BTUs that get used to heat the Hot Water, are still inside the Insulated Cabin, and contribute to the Inside Cabin Air Heating, by adding Surface Area to that Inside Cabin Air.
     
    3cyl and chelloveck like this.
  11. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    why let heat stratification waste money and overheat your ceiling?

    Use this
    [​IMG]
    build your own....
     
    3cyl and chelloveck like this.
  12. arleigh

    arleigh Goophy monkey

    A toy trailer is far cheaper and more practical ,IMO
     
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