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Video tour of the Bolt Together House a Famous DIY Tiny House Design


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Deek just published a video tour that his brother, Dustin, shot of the Bolt Together House. According to Deek, in 1972 this small house design was featured in Family Circle Magazine.

I recognized it from Lester Walker’s book, The Tiny Book of Tiny Houses which was published in 1993. Apparently, more than 25,000 people purchased a set of plans for the bolt together house. I wonder how many other versions of it are out there, which remain standing. Back in 1972, this tiny cabin could be built for just $2,500 and most of the work could be done at home and then assembled on site. At just 224 square feet, the design accommodates two adults and two children.

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The Bolt Together House!

Bolt Together House on Lester Walker's Tiny Book of Tiny Houses

That’s a photo I took from the feature in Lester Walker’s book, which you might be able to find on Amazon.

From the original article from Family Circle Magazine,

Here are two ways to make this dream come true. (1) If you have a large garage, your husband can prefabricate the panels (non is larger than 4’x8′); cut, drill and paint the posts and trusses; then move the entire house to your site in a 16-foot rented truck. You don’t have to commute to the site or worry about the weather. On site, you’ll need four concrete piers for a foundation (no excavation needed), plus a few strong friends to help you set it up. (2) Or, if your husband is not skilled, you can have a builder do the job. Granted, this will be costlier, but it’s still a great buy!

The Bolt Together House on Family Circle Magazine, 1973

Dustin’s Video tour of the Bolt Together House

For more photos, a preview of the plans, and the rest of the original magazine article, I’ve hosted a download link for you in PDF format which you can get below (for free).

Download the Bolt House PDF and original article right here. Right-click and Save As. Be sure you have a PDF reader, too.

Sources

  • relaxshacks.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-video-tour-jeff-milsteins-bolt.html
  • relaxshacks.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-video-tour-jeff-milsteins-bolt.html

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 7 comments… add one }
  • Charlie
    February 11, 2012, 2:39 pm

    Cool, where has this been all my life. This is something I might have attempted in 1972. I may need a little help now. Set is up with a compost toilet, solar power and rain catchment system, and you could put it anywhere!

  • Cary Thompson
    March 28, 2016, 12:09 am

    What a hoot! My stepmom just found a set of plans that were stuck back in my Dad’s closet. Just unrolled them to find they are an original set of plans for the Bolt Together House still in the original shipping roll from Family Circle in Teaneck NJ. Thanks for sharing the video of an example of this house. Dad is long gone and never built this thing, but I can totally see how the design appealed to him….

    • Alex
      March 28, 2016, 1:05 pm

      Hi Cary, wow, that’s so cool that you found that. Blessings to you and your family. Sincerely, -Alex

    • Francis E Handy
      August 14, 2019, 1:31 pm

      would be willing to sell a copy of the plans frank at [email protected]

    • Stephanir e Woodend
      April 18, 2022, 3:10 pm

      Im looking for a set of plans fir this 1972 Bolt together cottage

  • Richard Todd
    May 12, 2023, 5:28 pm

    Where can I purchase and or download a set of these plan ?

    • James D.
      May 16, 2023, 7:57 pm

      If it’s still available, there’s a link in the PDF to the site that sells plans…

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