Fodeman
Well-known member
Have you thought about having a separate shipping container forum? I have many tips to share for anyone - how to buy, outfitting one, ventilation, etc.
Shipping container Q&A, Thoughts?
- Thread starter Fodeman
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Shiftless
Well-known member
Start a thread now if you want to. Easy
Big Bad Dad
Well-known member
That would be an interesting thread. I have wondered if a container would be a good option for making a detached welding/ repair shop area. How to support it and keep the steel up off the ground so it don't rust away, etc.
That part is very easy. Containers are designed for ALL of the load to go through the corner lockdown fittings. When I place a container, I usually put a few treated plywood shims between the corners and a concrete pad (where possible) to be able to get it dead level. There is no reason to allow anything else to touch the ground - in fact it is NEVER supposed to as not designed for that loading.
If not a forum, container topics should be welcome as they are EVERYWHERE and can be extremely useful, lockable storage.
No reason not to start a thread on them. Highly unlikely that Ryan would create a forum section or sub section just for the topic.
Honestly, I'm so sure that I would bet a $1 on it.
Big Bad Dad
Well-known member
I have seen articles where people have set two long containers several feet apart and built a roof between them to make a garage or workshop.
jimzz2006
Well-known member
Please Share.. Best way to buy.. Best way to support/level
billconner
Well-known member
Yeah, tell me where to start shopping.
dcg9381
Well-known member
We own a 20' container, I bought it for temp storage while living in the shop (building a home at the time).
There's a lot about 1/4 mile away where they've stacked containers 4 high, welded then and then added several others - foundation is concrete pillars. Construction stopped about 18 months ago, I dunno why....
Covid ran the price on these up considerably... I don't know what current pricing is now, but I paid about $3500 for a 1-trip 20' container. We're about 230 miles away from the nearest port.
There's a lot about 1/4 mile away where they've stacked containers 4 high, welded then and then added several others - foundation is concrete pillars. Construction stopped about 18 months ago, I dunno why....
Covid ran the price on these up considerably... I don't know what current pricing is now, but I paid about $3500 for a 1-trip 20' container. We're about 230 miles away from the nearest port.
Oregon rock crusher
Well-known member
I like using storage containers for shop or storage space. I bought mine a couple years ago before covid doubled the prices on them. Prices seem to be coming back to earth latley. I put mine up in the air on a fabricated frame to get it out of the way. The story of how the container was placed on the stand is in the fabrication forum here.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...attachments-thread.436205/page-7#post-9143134
Takes up next to no space now. Ed.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...attachments-thread.436205/page-7#post-9143134
Takes up next to no space now. Ed.
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billconner
Well-known member
Report prices are dropping. Anyone seen this? https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/11/glo...-faces-a-new-problem-too-many-containers.html
inphx
Well-known member
If you buy some stuff from China I know a shipper who will include the used container... Goods and your container delivered.
billconner
Well-known member
like a thousand tvs? hmmm
I'd be getting someone else to run forklift in that!
Matt on the Diesel Creek channel on Youtube started his workshop that way. Two shipping containers for storage and welding out in a clearing. Then he got a good deal on a pre-fab metal roof. Now, he's building his dream shop, but you check out the older videos. Here's a playlist of him building the shipping container shop:
It helps if you live in an area of the country that's near a coast that has ports. The reason I'm saying this is because there might be dealers of used containers in your area that frequently buy containers from ports and transport them inland to a laydown yard for potential buyers to pick from.
When I originally was looking for one, I did a Google search and found many dealers, but they were at distant areas in other states. I got bombarded with emails from them. The problem with those dealers is that you're buying a container sight unseen, thus you might be getting a rust bucket.
I then abandoned that route and went on my local Craigslist and found a dealer in my area that handpicks the containers he wants to purchase from a port he gets them from, in my case, the Hampton Roads area in Virginia.
Another reason to buy one from a local dealer is that you can visually check out the interior of the unit to see what was typically shipped in it. I personally wouldn't want one that smelled bad or that had been hauling anything hazardous to your health.
My container, for instance, is a 20 foot Florens (the container manufacturer). I paid $3350 for the unit. After taxes and shipping, my total was $3900 for a one-way shipment to my driveway.
Yes, some will say this is more than what they paid, but you need to keep in mind the condition of the delivered unit and how much surface prep, or repairs might need to be done to get the unit to your liking. Mine is sitting in my backyard behind my garage, so I wanted to neaten it up a bit since it's something I see everyday.
After removing the vinyl decals with a torch, ground down a few surface rust spots, and painted it with a gallon of good exterior paint, the attachment is what I've ended up with.
Hope all of this helps.
bluedog225
Well-known member
Looks nice. I agree about getting a good condition box. Mine was about $5,500 but it is 40’, high-cube, and doors on both ends. It’s awesome.
You may want to put a couple of 12”x12” concrete blocks centered under each corner. Airflow underneath keep the moisture down and extend the life of the wood and metal.
You may want to put a couple of 12”x12” concrete blocks centered under each corner. Airflow underneath keep the moisture down and extend the life of the wood and metal.
It's a bit hard to tell in the pic, but the terrain slopes out slightly from the woods. I used a front end loader to level it up and then lined the back and sides with landscape fabric in a U-shaped fashion approximately 18 inches back from the container all around and then backfilled it with drainage gravel. It's also sitting on 4 inches of gravel.
I wanted to keep the height as low profile as possible so I could easily back my zero turn mower into it.
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jack stand
Well-known member
You guys thinking about sinking $4000 +/- into a 20' "can", go find someone who has one first. Preferably it's got a few things in it.
They have their uses and sure are easy to buy and are just perfect for some people with limited property space, but take a look at the picture above. That 0 turn with a bagger just fits in. This is the problem, you'll end up with stuff in front of other stuff. They're under 8' wide inside.
I have 3 - 20's all bought for jobsite storage of siding. Build a little rack inside for separating different items and it's a great moveable storage and 20 years ago you could buy them all day long (for years) @ $800-$1200. I packed all 3 of these up after selling the business and we moved 650 miles, another great use!
They make a terrible storage closet for random stuff.
Not trying to talk anyone out of this, it's just that they DO look huge from the outside or on a tractor trailer going down the road but it's not the same as writing a check and waiting for your new shop or warehouse to be delivered.
At least stake out a 8x20' rectangle in the back yard and put some of your desired stuff into that area first before deciding.
Again don't take this the wrong way, 8x20 makes a dandy truck body but unless you want 2 20' walls of shelving, it's difficult to use this space for much storage.
They have their uses and sure are easy to buy and are just perfect for some people with limited property space, but take a look at the picture above. That 0 turn with a bagger just fits in. This is the problem, you'll end up with stuff in front of other stuff. They're under 8' wide inside.
I have 3 - 20's all bought for jobsite storage of siding. Build a little rack inside for separating different items and it's a great moveable storage and 20 years ago you could buy them all day long (for years) @ $800-$1200. I packed all 3 of these up after selling the business and we moved 650 miles, another great use!
They make a terrible storage closet for random stuff.
Not trying to talk anyone out of this, it's just that they DO look huge from the outside or on a tractor trailer going down the road but it's not the same as writing a check and waiting for your new shop or warehouse to be delivered.
At least stake out a 8x20' rectangle in the back yard and put some of your desired stuff into that area first before deciding.
Again don't take this the wrong way, 8x20 makes a dandy truck body but unless you want 2 20' walls of shelving, it's difficult to use this space for much storage.
Oh, I certainly agree with what you're saying about the usable space. It all depends what your needs and wants are.
I presently have my Cyclone Rake leaf vacuum hooked up to the zero turn for leaf season, but for the spring and summer, I've got it unhooked and rolled back in the corner.
Per square foot and weight load per square foot, you'll definitely come out ahead with a container as opposed to any delivered shed IF the 8 foot width works for you and, if you're tied to an HOA
, they allow it.Something else to think about is how to maneuver the container if it's just a drop ship on your property. I had a good friend who owed me a favor and who owns a rollback side articulating trailer, so he was able to set it behind another existing outbuilding.
bluedog225
Well-known member
They do make pretty good garage sized Tupperware. Though the prices ****.
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Just to mess with the guys that spent $3000+ on a twenty footer. A good friend of mine just picked up nine twenty footers for $300 each! $2700 for the lot, he had to move them, but it was a mile from his shop and he has a large loader and semi trailers.
He is thinking about advertising them for $1500 delivered within 20 miles.
He is thinking about advertising them for $1500 delivered within 20 miles.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I have two 40 ft high cubes at my house, had them left over from a project, set up shelves & lights they make great storage. I had set up four 40 footers, 2 on each side with 40' between them, had a custom tent built that gave us 40 x 80' covered storage for a long term job. Stored some big equipment that could be moved in & out by forklift plus had lockable storage for parts & tools. One alone is small for a workshop but put 2 or more together the possibilities are endless. I have two 40' containers that were converted to jobsite offices, great for quick set up & easy to secure, had one set up in the middle of broadway & 168th in Manhattan for 2 years, being only 8' wide it will fit by DOT permit. I plan on adding a couple at another house & adding a roof with 30' between them on a concrete slab, 1200' barn plus 480' of secure storage. It also depends on your location, not every neighborhood will like seeing them, you do need to set them up in good taste.
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They are 125 miles away.
Any contractors here be able to tell us what the cost of an 8x20 or 8x40 pole barn would cost? Basically the equivalent sized structure.
If a container is comparable in cost then it’s a good value. (I would say a container is more secure than a stick built anything).
If a container is comparable in cost then it’s a good value. (I would say a container is more secure than a stick built anything).
Big Bad Dad
Well-known member
Until somebody pulls it up onto a rollback and steals it? LOL
I've not seen decent a shape 20ft connex for under ~4k in a while. 40ft around 7k
jack stand
Well-known member
No one would build something that size, a better comparison would be to price a 16x20, (the same s/f) and have much more usable space. This is still "shed" territory.
Utilizing the space in a container is the difficulty and the point I'm trying to make guys aware of.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I'm a contractor that uses them all the time. A few years back we poured a pad put three 40' hi cubes together. Used roofing tape to seal the joints than welded four 10" I beams across the tops. Cut and removed the interior walls, left 10' at the back and had a 24 x 40 temp shop. Cost just under 20k and was completed in 2 days. If it were to be permanent I would have bought trusses and installed a gable roof.
I have seen dozens of variations on how to make storage using sea cans on jobsites, and have designed and built a few as well. First one was a warehouse for insulation in a friend's yard. I stacked 2 x 53' reefer boxes on either side, about 30' in between and built a tensioned fabric roof over the whole lot (mounted on OUTSIDE edges). Gave lockable storage on low level, extremely secure lockable on second level (theft in that area of city an issue) and fork lift access to 1500 sq. ft. in the middle that could be stacked 30' high on open area.
On my farm I needed some lockable storage and some place to put heavy and stacked stuff, so bought a mess of seconds of sound fence as floor, built crane runways BOLTED only at corners along inside edge 20' apart so I have 800 sq. ft. under hook with 14' height then did tension fab right to ground - the big deal there is keeping the sun OFF of the dark container to prevent ultra-high temps in summer. Everything is removeable from the containers - no holes drilled for mounting. Door runs with RV winch and folds up to 14' x 20' clear opening. It is not really cheap storage (probably $25k cdn) but worth every penny as I really needed this space. fixed ladders give access for light weight, long term storage on roof of sea cans, crane lets me use stackable pallet totes close together and door opening allows me to reach inside with mobile crane for really heavy stuff. One sea can is for Mamma's stuff, other is shelved for mine. That's our eldest daughter who ran the D5 carrying one end while I used Galion to carry the other in placing the boxes.
On my farm I needed some lockable storage and some place to put heavy and stacked stuff, so bought a mess of seconds of sound fence as floor, built crane runways BOLTED only at corners along inside edge 20' apart so I have 800 sq. ft. under hook with 14' height then did tension fab right to ground - the big deal there is keeping the sun OFF of the dark container to prevent ultra-high temps in summer. Everything is removeable from the containers - no holes drilled for mounting. Door runs with RV winch and folds up to 14' x 20' clear opening. It is not really cheap storage (probably $25k cdn) but worth every penny as I really needed this space. fixed ladders give access for light weight, long term storage on roof of sea cans, crane lets me use stackable pallet totes close together and door opening allows me to reach inside with mobile crane for really heavy stuff. One sea can is for Mamma's stuff, other is shelved for mine. That's our eldest daughter who ran the D5 carrying one end while I used Galion to carry the other in placing the boxes.
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Another thing to think about if you're going to store fuel powered machinery is ventilation. I found this intake and exhaust system that works great. No fans needed.
Also, these vents prevent "container rain". Keeping the temperature and humidity equalized inside and out is the answer.
Also, these vents prevent "container rain". Keeping the temperature and humidity equalized inside and out is the answer.
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About five years ago the same guy had someone call about two 20 footers at a construction site they wanted to sell. They were used for construction sight storage. They had been repainting inside and out and both had shelving on both walls. He paid $750 each for them. The construction company that owned them sold them instead of finding someone to load them and trucking them the 300 miles back to their shop.
They are very nice boxes.
This same guy has several conex boxes that he has bought over the years, He says he rarely pays much more then scrap value for them.
It probably helps that he is in the scrap business and has people call him to get rid of them. The last bunch he just bought came from a rental storage outfit and they had been trying to sell them. The owner of the place was 300 miles away and tired of people screwing with him on buying them. He had guys promise to buy one and never show up, guys trying to wheel and deal on the price and never coming through. He called my buddy and they made the deal. The owner just wanted them gone!
If someone wanted to arrange trucking, I am pretty sure he would load for free at let them go for $1500.
denis4x4
Well-known member
These are multi-use containers that were painted to match the house. There were vents and hardwood floors. The trusses and roof cost more than the two containers!
Nice set-up with the vents in the roof. Since I keep my mower and vacuum in the sealed container, I had to vent the container itself.These are multi-use containers that were painted to match the house. There were vents and hardwood floors. The trusses and roof cost more than the two containers!
I've moved this out of the Suggestion section and to Gen Garage Discussion.
It's getting some hits with advice and questions so I have changed the thread title as well.
It's getting some hits with advice and questions so I have changed the thread title as well.
It's easy enough for me to do. I don't mind helping, it's what we're here for.
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I put a couple in at our shop at work.
The first one we ran underground 120v along with a data conduit for alarm and camera.
two roof top vents
a pre-hung SS door I ordered from Grainger, and used the cut out piece for entry overhead cover.
The second one I added a solar panel for charging a marine AGM battery to run a 12v LED interior lighting setup, along with an exterior dusk to dawn LED in the covered area, pre-hung SS door.
I used 1 solar powered roof vent on this container.
We rarely use the OEM double doors.
I'm surprised in all the years we've had these, we've never had a rodent or spider issue. They are sealed well.
The first one we ran underground 120v along with a data conduit for alarm and camera.
two roof top vents
a pre-hung SS door I ordered from Grainger, and used the cut out piece for entry overhead cover.
The second one I added a solar panel for charging a marine AGM battery to run a 12v LED interior lighting setup, along with an exterior dusk to dawn LED in the covered area, pre-hung SS door.
I used 1 solar powered roof vent on this container.
We rarely use the OEM double doors.
I'm surprised in all the years we've had these, we've never had a rodent or spider issue. They are sealed well.
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duneslider
Well-known member
There is a big trend in my area to make Container Swimming Pools. My parent neighbors put one in and it is actually really cool. It was fairly affordable, looks great, and installed really fast. It has a section where a big glass window was put in, I should have taken a picture. Its really cool.