steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
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Post by steam4ian on Nov 14, 2009 12:30:07 GMT
G'day all.
Seeing DrJ move his workshop to the Philippines and being short of space myself prompted a question.
Has anybody converted a shipping container to a workshop?
I have seen it construction contractors fit out containers as a store and include a workbench, vise and drill press.
Regards Ian
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russell
Statesman
Chain driven
Posts: 762
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Post by russell on Nov 14, 2009 20:45:10 GMT
Ian,
Working in a tin box in Adelaide? You might want some good insulation and aircon!
Russell.
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Post by Tel on Nov 14, 2009 21:35:43 GMT
Not personally, but it's been done. The ideal is two of 'em, with a container width gap between and a fly-roof over the whole shootin' match.
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ace
Statesman
Posts: 528
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Post by ace on Nov 14, 2009 23:06:13 GMT
My farther has two containers kitted out as workshops, These where bought from a local contractor one has shuttered windows and both came pre-wired with ample sockets and lighting. However in summer (whatever that is) they are rather warm to work in. The best bit is that they are secure when locked as both have boxed covers over the locks preventing access with bolt cutters etc. The downside is as my farther realised is that you need to weld brackets on for shelves etc rather than drill holes in the sides and having corrigated sides means that you need to plan well where stuff goes.
ace
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isc
Statesman
Posts: 708
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Post by isc on Nov 16, 2009 11:04:13 GMT
For better temperature control you can sometimes get ex refrigerated containers with insulation,and a small fan helps in summer,adn it wouldn't take much heating in winter.isc
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Noddy
Statesman
Posts: 672
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Post by Noddy on Nov 22, 2009 18:52:33 GMT
I've worked in some really nicely converted containers (as site offices and stores rather than workshop) and was seriously looking at getting one for myself.
The guys who convert them have some really neat secure window shutters that you can open and close from inside and big heavy plate lock boxes for the double doors (vital with all the theiving scum who lurk around construction sites at night!)
For a permenant installation, it is well worth putting a shallow pitched tin roof over the top (you can weld or bolt the trusses on), so long as you don't get strong gales, you can carry it about 6' to 8' either side and put decking around for a veranda.
That'll keep the sun off the tin to keep you cool, and also give you some respite when you want to unlock ait and get in on a rainy day.
Lot's of the office conversions are 40' containers cut in half, and the big double doors are discarded. It's well worth getting one with the doors to allow you to get big stuff in and out, and well worth having a lock protector box welded up as the normal fasteners are not very scum proof (use the manganese steel wear strips off loading shovel buckets if you can scrounge some old ones- it has to be gas cut - so it's a pig for the thieves to grind through, and it makes lots of bright sparks if they try)
The floors are 1' or 30mm marine ply with lots of steel cross members, so they have excelent weight bearing. either mount it up on blocks or get some legs with feet made for it to allow air to circulate under it. if it settles, a couple of car jacks should be able to lift a corner enough to put a shim or two under it.
The guys who convert them can do wonders with dry lining, they seem to use the 50mm closed cell foam boards for insulation around here, though you might want to think about welding some brackets to the edges of the roof to carry rails for a little travelling crane?
In Ireland cabins are going cheap with the construction industry collapsing.
hope this helps K
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Post by durhambuilder on Nov 22, 2009 20:39:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2009 21:36:44 GMT
Memories come flooding back! As a 21 year old Fitter/Machinist Corporal R.E. in Germany I used to have the 60's equivalent of one of those all to myself! It resided on the back of an AEC 10 tonner, and it contained a Colchester Triumph 7 1/2" lathe, welding gear, pillar drill and if I remember correctly, a small forge! Oh, and it had air conditioning! It also towed a 27 Kva generator so I always had an electric blanket to guard against those cold NATO exercises. There were always apocryphal stories going around of a machinery lorry being bought for ten quid as surplus, and being opened up and finding all the gear inside! That one looks to be be pretty good value....
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Post by Workshopshed on Dec 7, 2009 20:55:21 GMT
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