Workshop Overhaul #1: (1of3) working in a toilet

A three part blog about going from a toilet to a workshop

early 2017
Having any “spare space” in Tokyo is a rare thing but luckily in my house is an unused bath attached to the master bedroom with a full bath, a shower stall, a bidet, a toilet, a good-sized counter and two sinks. Undeterred I made use of the space and built a workbench and used the existing countertop. The shower made for good vertical timber storage. And the toilet added a certain convenience factor you don’t often see in shops.

But it was far from ideal. I had to put one foot in the bathtub to saw anything on my bench. It was dimly lit and no room for expansion. Sawdust would collect in the sinks and full size mirrors on the wall prevented me from using the wall space. And it was a poor space (and a bit hazardous) for my three young kids.

Enough was enough. I knew the space was pretty good if I could just have it set up better (its 2.6×5.2 meters or about 8×17 feet). So, I decided to tear it all out… right from the foundations!!

To be continued in part 2

!