Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT The Jungle

[wasfast]

This thing of using containers is very ingenious.
The coolest thing I remember seeing is Flynn's house in Tron.
Your thread made me think a lot about using containers for a house. YouTube is full of cool projects involving containers. I didn't know that.

The reuse of containers is good but with a few asterisks. Once you cut the box full of penetrations for windows etc., the structural rigidity is severally reduced. The condition of the containers is all over the place. The sheetmetal has to be insulated and can have condensation issues. The cost savings may not be there VS just starting with a structural steel frame. Investigate thoroughly before doing the house version.

 

[Krang]

Pre drill/counter-sink ply, and then Pre-drill the workbench. Also Pre-drill/counter-sink MDF topper. 28 self tapping screws per bench in the ply, 80’ish 1” drywall screws in the MDF.









In retrospect I did not need this many screws lol.



Then, roll on a layer of glue and make a sammich. After I got everything glued together I tested a few hammer hits and the thing is rock solid.

Next up, backsplash attached to the shelf hangars.


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[Krang]

The reuse of containers is good but with a few asterisks. Once you cut the box full of penetrations for windows etc., the structural rigidity is severally reduced. The condition of the containers is all over the place. The sheetmetal has to be insulated and can have condensation issues. The cost savings may not be there VS just starting with a structural steel frame. Investigate thoroughly before doing the house version.

I don’t think I would build a house with these.. for the above reasons and a few others. For me, mainly the lack of customization is a turn off. Also, it’s not an efficient building block if they need to be insulated since it drastically reduces the interior space and you don’t have the option to move the walls out.


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[Krang]

Back board is up - it attaches to the shelf hangars. Also ran what I could of the electric. I need to make more shelf hangars before I can continue the back board, hoping I can pick up that material before this weekend and then build what I need to this weekend.

I applied some wipe on urethane to the back board, looks nice I think! Will be a good contrast to the stainless steel eventually.







Finally, I got my 2nd craftsman 5-drawer box cleaned up and painted. Found a cool date stamp.





I forgot to take a pic of the after =\


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[Millcreekmadman]

Looks good. What are u going to finish the work bench surface with?

 

[Krang]

Looks good. What are u going to finish the work bench surface with?

Stainless steel top eventually. I have a few 4x10’ sheets I’m going to get bent up to fit

 

[Krang]

To continue making the shelving hangars I really needed to get a vise mounted. I had been using my old, small, terrible vise, to bend the hooks at the top and it was about to break, so that took priority.



I wanted something a tad more beefy than a 2x2 square tube supporting the vise base so I added some 1 1/2” angle iron. I figure that should support it very well. I had a chance to use it briefly and it should be perfect.

 

[930dreamer]

I'm in the process of buying 1.78 acres to build a shop only. I'll need to remove everything from the current leased building and relocate to the new property. The containers look like a good option. Nice work.

 

[Krang]

Not much to report other than I finally am running real electric service to the barn, 100amp service with just a few select plugs for now. Going to slowly wire it all up as things take shape.








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[nsula_country]

My first shop in 2007 was a 40x8 container. Ran a 60A service to a 12 or 16 slot sub panel. Its still in service and I welded from that service.

Still use it for storage. Have 6, 4' shop lights and a 16" wall vent fan with louvers. Have about a 30x30 intake louver, with screen.

Looking good!

CT

 

[Krang]

I have all the power now! All of it!

Having decent, consistent power, is amazing. Can’t wait to get my TIG back and blow some holes in stuff.

The 220v is 50amp and all the plugs are 20amp here. I’m going to slowly wire the rest myself, eventually.






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[Krang]

Also ran a 1” conduit to pull some CAT6 out to the barn, going to setup an old router and run security cameras to a second DVR our here instead of the 250’ + back to the house.



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[bdbecker]

Glad to see you've got power! Once I get my space insulated and sheeted, improving the electrical service will be the next big item on the agenda.

I have to add... your posts gave me a good laugh this morning, although more from a misunderstanding on my part due to the way in which GJ puts a time signature on each post in the time zone of the reader (as opposed to the poster), I was cracking up at the the thought of your neighbors looking out the window to see you running conduit for security cameras to your shipping container compound at 1am.

Neighbor: Hey, um, what are you doing at this hour of the morning?
Krang: Just securing the perimeter...
Neighbor: Okay, well, good luck with that...
Krang: Thanks! (goes back to trenching in conduit)

Then I realized it was roughly 8pm your time and that made the scenario I had built up in my head not nearly as funny.

 

[Krang]

You might not be as far off as you think... I was out welding plates to attach the shut off switch to the exterior at probably 11:30pm Sunday night. I tend to do most of my work at night actually.

Thankfully, my neighbors are at least 200’ away in any direction and I don’t bother them with lights, I do try and keep the noise down though.


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[DynoDave]

Not much to report other than I finally am running real electric service to the barn, 100amp service with just a few select plugs for now. Going to slowly wire it all up as things take shape.








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You're my hero! Been living off a 50' extension cord to a 15A outlet in the attached garage for a decade!

 

[rixtrix1]

Way cool use of containers and space, not to mention the fantastic deal on cabs, metal, etc! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Krang]

You're my hero! Been living off a 50' extension cord to a 15A outlet in the attached garage for a decade!

I lucked out and had an opportunity to barter some service with an electrician friend, I only had to pay for materials. Couldn’t have asked for a better setup for the $!


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[Krang]

Ever since I acquired the MIG machine I have been meaning to do a V2 of my welding cart....

You may recall the shallow two drawer toolbox I didn’t know what to do with... well, I figured it out.

This allows me to keep all the welding specific stuff together, store 3 bottles (C25, two 100% argon bottles - one for the machine and one for back-purging), both machines, and associated cables. Only thing I might change up is the cable management but for my purposes, this is a solid improvement.
















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[nsula_country]

Slick cart! Very nice.

CT

 

[Krang]

Oh, short story about that MT-200 TIG Machine...

A few weeks ago I discovered it wasn’t working, I was out of warranty and started stressing it.... as you could imagine.

Called up CK Worldwide, they said no problem at all, they would take care of it. They asked I check the boards first, I found a burnt resistor, they (Paul) said no problem. Pay to ship it back and they will do what they can.

Boxed it up, shipped it back, and crossed my fingers.

Paul called about 5 days later, said they received my machine and would just send a BRAND NEW ONE... oh, and include the new version of their foot pedal since he liked it better.

He was right about the foot pedal, the new version has much more resolution and feel.

But I mean... what amazing customer service is that? I haven’t had that kind of service in years... customer for life right here (as if we have much choice for good welding accessories)

/rant off


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[Krang]

Slick cart! Very nice.

CT

Ty sir!


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[Krang]

In an effort to give me a bit of compressed air volume I had been collecting free tanks for a few months... I ended up with two tanks totaling about 50 gallons.

I needed them to be setup and plumbed in a way that they would work, and not take up a ton of space.

I ended up putting the smaller one on top of the bigger one, welding up a supportive frame, plumbing in drains from each of them into one valve using some copper tube and fitting. Then, a simple ball valve to my small, but powerful (for my purposes anyway) California Air 10 gallon compressor.

It takes about 5 minutes to fill completely but the amount of volume I gained is incredible, and exactly what I needed. I can now run a die grinder for a good 2 minutes before the compressor kicks on, before.... I’d be lucky to get 30 seconds.

Very happy overall and it looks kind of interesting as a side bonus =p



And in its final location.




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[DynoDave]

Nice work.

I came across an extra tank (compressor failed) at a swap meet for $5, and couldn't resist doing something similar (but not as nicely executed. It is nice having that extra capacity.

 

[Krang]

Adding to the shop capacity or even just having a mobile pit tank is awesome. I’m really glad I did it.

Of course.... I would have rather found a big, 15cfm compressor for the same $40 total spend on the tanks, but hey, can’t win em all.


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[Bob Heine]

Krang, that's a very nice solution, especially for the price. When I broke my 5hp noise maker I saved the 25-gallon tank and added a hose reel and regulator. I can connect the hose to the garage compressor and drag the tank out in the yard, where it keeps the air tools from overwhelming the long hose run. The regulator helps for jobs like spray painting when I don't want 120psi at the gun.

 

[bad_idea]

Krang, that's a very nice solution, especially for the price. When I broke my 5hp noise maker I saved the 25-gallon tank and added a hose reel and regulator. I can connect the hose to the garage compressor and drag the tank out in the yard, where it keeps the air tools from overwhelming the long hose run. The regulator helps for jobs like spray painting when I don't want 120psi at the gun.

BRILLIANT! I have a noise maker fixin to die any day now. Now I know what I will do with it. Thanks.

 

[Krang]

Some non-shop content, but is pertinent since this is mainly what the shop is used for!

A while ago I worked on a project with the owner of Roo-Ducts, who has developed multiple brake ducting solutions for numerous platforms. We were testing a new type of 3D printed material, it was rubberized, semi-flexible, and high-temp resistant.

I have always looked to professional racing series for inspiration when modifying, in this case, I wanted a similar intake trumpet design used in WRC cars to feed my turbo.

We ended up with this. It tapers from 5” to 2” over about 8”, and should smooth the flow into the compressor blades considerably.

View attachment 908484
View attachment 908485

I’ve had the finished piece for quite some time, finally got around to installing it. Fits like a glove! Eventually I will bend up an airbox around the filter, but for now I’m going to just leave it open in the engine bay.

View attachment 908486
View attachment 908487

Really don’t know if there is a way to quantify a difference, we will see if the **** dyno can feel anything in the upcoming race season.


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[Krang]

Long time with no update…. I blame COVID.

Lots going on now though! I finished the WWII workbench and fitted a stainless steel top that was actually the side of a refrigerator I think, fit perfectly actually, found it at the dump.



Also, a big reorganization of the space. I want to make the right side of the container modular so I can move benches around depending what I’m working on. This involves making more of the floating shelving. I also discovered that the specific size plastic tote I designed them for is no longer sold at Costco, so I had to order some slightly different dimension replacements…. We will see how that goes.


can’t find these anymore….

More to come!

 

[Krang]

Woodworking bench. Nice and heavy, on casters. Stores the table saw and miter saw. I’m going to fab something which allows the table saw to attach on the end, giving me an out feed table.

 

[Krang]

Chemicals storage cabinet off FB Marketplace for $40. Wire wheel, and some paint, looks Great I think.

 

[Krang]

Two drawer steel cabinet I found at the dump. Going to clean it up and put my drill press on it with casters. I need to cut the press down and it seems the best place to make the cut is from the top, so that’s going to be an experience for sure.

 

[Krang]

The COVID year wasn’t fully wasted… a few projects I was able to work on during that time:

Cordless tool storage:


Some custom window props for a condo here:

A more refined version of my clock projects, this uses recycled boat railings which are 1/8th thick wall, much easier to weld.

Wood BBQ frame from old metal side tables I found at the dump, repurposed. A chain on each corner of the grille will slip over the studs you see, making the grill height adjustable.
started out as this:

 

[Krang]

Reorganized and cleaned the toolbox:

 

[Krang]

Biggest project now is simply finding a home for everything on the workbenches. Ideally I can have them all clear and tidy.

 

[Krang]

Cleaning up inside and outside. The area between the containers had been... left... for too long. Big clean going on there now. I have a friend with a tow truck coming to take away a car I was going to use for parts which is the last piece of that puzzle. Sadly, the car project ship has sailed for now.


So much space for activities now!

 

[jollygreengiant]

Great space you have there! Very cool use of sea-cans. Though I don't know how you can get anything done there. If it was me the heat and humidity would have me hiding inside all day.

 

[Krang]

After about a month you get used to it. Besides, its not that bad... 72-85 degrees range the whole year

 

[Krang]

Found this at the dump yesterday. Free is in the budget.

 

[Krang]

Yesterday, with that free cabinet, I decided it would be a good fit near the entrance of the shop. I plan to put all my charging and cordless tools hanging above it. I still need to run tire storage hangers over everything you see below, which will eventually lead to the cordless tool storage in the 2nd picture being moved here.



I refinished the outside of the grey cabinet on the left cabinet recently, the outside looks decent. The inside is another matter, but I don't have to look at it constantly. All my oil, cleaning products, aerosols, etc... have a home now. I wanted to have a quick access place for WD40, penetrating oil, and things I use often, so I bent up some scrap aluminum for two door shelves:

 

[Krang]

I was able to spend about 2 hours today going through some buckets that I haven't looked at in about 4 years, not since I stopped renovating homes. Lots of hardware, plumbing, some electrical... really a mish mash of stuff. I sorted everything into plastic containers based on job, a suggestion I read somewhere on these forums. I think this will work really well for me, that's how I think most of the time. I've got drywall, paint prep, paint, cement work, electrical, and plumbing so far. I hope I remember to actually look through them if I ever have a need.

Got through all 10 buckets today but I have a good amount of hardware to sort. A project for another day at this point.


Nails, screws, stainless hardware, really a lot of varied stuff. I'll sort it somehow, eventually.



All these empty spaces are now almost full. I should be set for now.