Shipping Container Workshop, Need your ideas & photos

[durnerin]

I've got a 20 acre ranch in Southern Utah, (5300 elevation). I bought a 40' container last December. I keep ATVs, tractor and misc. things in there. We don't have a garage. I found it to work GREAT! Now I want to buy one and have it modified to be my own little work shop. So I can have all my power tools out there instead of the house.
Can some of you send me photos and ideas of what you've done, and what you would have done differently? Thanks! I'm looking to be inspired!

 

[HOTFR8]

You will find another topic on her about containers. They are easy to fit out as I have two here for storage and not hard to add power windows and doors to them.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139387 Have you seen thias topic ?

 

[cyamaha2007]

Set them 30 feet apart Use them as sidewalls then put some trusses and metal roof over them. Cheap dry storage. http://www.google.com/imgres?q=storage+container+garage&num=10&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=MvCAjRJCoVAAbM:&imgrefurl=http://barkersfarm.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/shipping-container-barn-or-maybe-not/&imgurl=http://barkersfarm.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/container-covered-barn.jpg&w=900&h=675&ei=cdY-UKHXIIj8rAHz6YCgDw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=398&sig=100652618684708255491&page=4&tbnh=106&tbnw=141&start=33&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:33,i:213&tx=90&ty=34&biw=880&bih=350

 

[Rodhotz]

Here are mine, 15 feet apart and closed in, one side has my machine shop equipment in it and the other has racks for storing parts from project cars, and also a small parts store. one end has a roll door and i do most of my fab work and body work in between the two.These pics are from when we bought it, don't have any current ones.

 

[InsanePyro]

Where in the heck do you just buy shipping containers from?

 

[larry_g]

Where in the heck do you just buy shipping containers from?

Just go down to the docks and they are everywhere.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[maddawg308]

Not sure how much rain you get there, but if you get any decent amount, might want to put a DIY sloped rood on the container. I know someone here in VA who has a couple containers outside, and the water pooled on the roof and stayed there. After a few years he had rust through. He is close to the shore, so he gets the salt water air, so that played a part. But all containers have led a life of harsh salt air, so even if you get a nice container, be sure that the nooks and crannies are weathered. Also remember, if it was a perfect container in terms of condition, it would still be used as a shipping container. They are selling it for a reason. So, keep it sheltered from the weather as best you can, keep the cancer at bay.

 

[ed_v]

Here are mine, 15 feet apart and closed in, one side has my machine shop equipment in it and the other has racks for storing parts from project cars, and also a small parts store. one end has a roll door and i do most of my fab work and body work in between the two.These pics are from when we bought it, don't have any current ones.

That is pretty dang cool!

Ed

 

[WWIIjeep]

Where in the heck do you just buy shipping containers from?

Google "ISO containers" or "intermodal containers" and you'll find lots of places to buy them, including some sellers who will overhaul and paint them for a fairly modest charge, or even add windows, man-doors, ventilation, package HVAC, etc., sometimes at resonable cost compared to DIY time and materials.

Can some of you send me photos and ideas of what you've done, and what you would have done differently?

We've got a few for just general storage. No need for photos of that unless you want to see how full they can be packed.

A friend had a couple of wider containers for his metalworking shop space, including many machine tools. I think they were someting like 10' wide and 10' high instead of the usual 8' wide and 8'6" high. They were really slick and made machine layout a lot easier, along with being less claustrophobic. I can't remember where he got them, and can't ask him because he's moved on to the big workshop in the sky, but it would be worth asking the container sellers or mobile storage space sellers about.

 

[A**holes Garage]

Here are mine, 15 feet apart and closed in, one side has my machine shop equipment in it and the other has racks for storing parts from project cars, and also a small parts store. one end has a roll door and i do most of my fab work and body work in between the two.These pics are from when we bought it, don't have any current ones.

nice set up

 

[c_mccann]

Container.com Ask for Ken

 

[Piper]

what are we looking at ballpark $$ for something like this?

 

[MoparTrucks]

I have been looking at doing something with an ISO container too and found these two sites kind of interesting. The guy in the Youtube video found two 20 footers for $50 a piece and closed them in really slick. The only thing I have been able to find on CL around here are old semi trailers with roll-up doors which are going for about $1800 and they still have the chassis under them which could be taken off. Anyone try that?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432232

 

[tegguy]

Google search "Shipping container homes"

 

[bgarrett]

Is this really cost effective? They are $3000 here and you can buy a lot of real building materials for that much money, specially if you get two containers

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Is this really cost effective? They are $3000 here and you can buy a lot of real building materials for that much money, specially if you get two containers

....but can 3000 / 6000 worth of building materials be assembled into dry secure storage within minutes? 'Cause that's all it takes to unload a container off the truck.....maybe add a couple hours to block it up nice and level if needed...and if you don't need it to be permanent, you can skip permits and all that and then sell them when you done for most of what you paid.....
Granted, a real building IS nicer, but you can't beat versatility of containers IMO.....

For buying them, your proximity to a port is the crucial point for pricing - you can find them cheap, but pay as much to get it moved. The seller I've dealt with sold the box at one set price and delivery was a flat rate plus mileage from his yard at the port.

 

[bgarrett]

they are only 8 feet wide. I park my 1931 Ford in one and its difficult to get out of the car.
I LOVE the idea of using shipping containers but they are only 8 feet wide and thats pretty small

 

[durnerin]

Here are mine, 15 feet apart and closed in, one side has my machine shop equipment in it and the other has racks for storing parts from project cars, and also a small parts store. one end has a roll door and i do most of my fab work and body work in between the two.These pics are from when we bought it, don't have any current ones.

Wow! I really like that! That's what I want to do after the workshop. Make some kind of garage (two with covered space between) for backhoe and such.

But, for now smaller scale... just a workshop for wood tools (chop saw, table saw, etc., some where protected to work when the weather is bad. But I liked you shelving and lighting.

 

[bgarrett]

I like the idea of moving the doors to the long side of a 40" container, extend a roof out and use the container as the tool room. Walls could be dropped and you would have a nice shop

 

[durnerin]

I have been looking at doing something with an ISO container too and found these two sites kind of interesting. The guy in the Youtube video found two 20 footers for $50 a piece and closed them in really slick. The only thing I have been able to find on CL around here are old semi trailers with roll-up doors which are going for about $1800 and they still have the chassis under them which could be taken off. Anyone try that?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432232

Love the YouTube video! He built that whole thing for $4500! Sweeeet!!

 

[durnerin]

Is this really cost effective? They are $3000 here and you can buy a lot of real building materials for that much money, specially if you get two containers

They run high in my neck of the woods, too. But, there are many advantages! No one is breaking in the puppy! They're water tight! Durable as heck! Portable! Damn near instant gratification! The day mine was delivered it was loaded for with the ATVs and tractor. We had a forest fire and lost 26,000 trees. Any trailers or vehicle NOT parked in the shipping container burned. But the vehicles IN the container were saved!!!! I swear by them!
I've got four places near me that sell them, so I'm looking to design it now (door locations, electric, etc) then price them against one another.

 

[cyamaha2007]

They are fast and secure. If you need a taller building stack them. They dont have a foundation so they arnt on taxes around here. You can move them full of ****. I like them but wouldnt pay 3grand for one.

 

[rsanter]

if you put the containers out there by themselves you may want to paint the tops with the white roof coating stuff. this will help against the water and keep the interrior temps down a bit

bob

 

[Rodhotz]

their is a construction site down the road and they have 2 shops made out of them. One is 2 40 footers long and one 40 length wide and double stacked with a roof and stairs. the other is 3 40 long and 2 length wide and 3 high with a roof! that thing is a monster!

 

[Exceller8]

I just had a 20' container delivered today. Wow, how did I go so long without getting one of these. I already want another one.

 

[Tamper84]

Hmmm alot to think about here. Rodhotz, are the containers just sitting on the ground? Or do you have them leveled up any? Looks good!!!

 

[HOTFR8]

Hmmm alot to think about here. Rodhotz, are the containers just sitting on the ground? Or do you have them leveled up any? Looks good!!!

I have two here and they are both sitting on level ground and on concrete blocks.

 

[denis4x4]

See my avatar.

 

[inphx]

i have a 40hq (tall) and painted the roof with white restoleum. it sits on a few railroad ties.

 

[Exceller8]

I have mine sitting on some left over 2x6 Trex decking that I had laying around. The ground isn't level but I'm only off by about 5/8" all the way around. Should work fine for my needs.

 

[Sureshot]

Here is something we did a rental units some years ago.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/56347875/Seacan.jpg

I have been thinking of building one for myself to store the atv's, and yard equiptment. As for the dimensions. If I remember right the 8' is to the outside so the door height and sides are less.

 

[Rodhotz]

Hmmm alot to think about here. Rodhotz, are the containers just sitting on the ground? Or do you have them leveled up any? Looks good!!!

They are on concrete all leveled up and bolted down, they are not going anywhere! I had another set at my old house and they were just sitting on a dirt pad we cut for them and after 10 years when we moved them to my kids house they looked as good as the day we put them there, but then again i am in the desert and we do not see much rain.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have to admit, I was never one for the use of shipping containers as shed/garages. As time has gone on, I'm liking them more and more as guys do more than just sitting them in a yard. The Youtube link with the red one, was a damn nice shop, especially considering that had a big old Impala in it.

 

[toytech40]

A lot of possibilities with these things. I have thought about getting, a 40 footer, but a 20 footer could work. having a wide door, double door, or roll up door put in the long side then pouring a concrete slab outside the door and either puttting a carport on it for some protection to work on vehicles using container for tool room/small workshop area. Could evolve as time goes on, and funds become available and build fully enclosed structure over slab tying it to container or adding second container and enclosing space between. The configurations are very numerous.

 

[MoparTrucks]

See my avatar.

That looks pretty interesting Dennis, do you have any bigger pictures you could share?

 

[denis4x4]

I welded tabs along the edge and then put 4X4's on with lag screws. The trusses were put on the 4x4's and I have some bonus storage in the rafters. Two 20' containers, trusses and roofing were less that $10,000. That comes out to $20 a square foot for secure, waterproof storage. BTW, the containers were painted to match the house at no extra charge.

 

[MoparTrucks]

Nice job Dennis, I am looking for an ISO container right now for storage and plan to add a window and man door on the side with an awning but I am wondering how to anchor it to the ground. We just had a storm the other night where we clocked 65 mph straight line winds and some places close by got over 80 mph and lots of sheds and barns were damaged or even moved off their foundations around here (lots of people have those pre-made garden and storage sheds around here).

I used mobile home auger anchors for the chicken coop but I am curious as to what others do with their ISOs.

 

[Rodhotz]

Nice job Dennis, I am looking for an ISO container right now for storage and plan to add a window and man door on the side with an awning but I am wondering how to anchor it to the ground. We just had a storm the other night where we clocked 65 mph straight line winds and some places close by got over 80 mph and lots of sheds and barns were damaged or even moved off their foundations around here (lots of people have those pre-made garden and storage sheds around here).

I used mobile home auger anchors for the chicken coop but I am curious as to what others do with their ISOs.

We get winds higher than that up here and they do not go anywhere, even when not bolted down. Mine are attached with 3"x3"x3/8 angle iron welded to the bottom in 3 places on both sides then bolted down with 5/8 redheads.

 

[durnerin]

Tomorrow my 45' High Cube arrives! Had them add a roll-up door on the long side. Gotta paint, do 2x2 fir strips and insulate, buy a couple shelves and build a work bench! The prices have come down considerably, based on the price of steel.

Since it's steel.... can I put the fir strips in with construction adhesive?
Max temp in the summer is 90-95 degrees, and we do get a bit of snow, nothing major.

 

[durnerin]

Cyamaha.... I tell you they're great! Had a forest fire and talk about secure! Only things on the property that survived the fire were in the Conex Box!