20 Foot Shipping Container Metal Shop

samthedog said:
It is a one way container nad has 4 1/2 years CSC certification so I expect it to hold together for at least that long. It production date was 6 months ago so it's like new. I'll still get up on the roof and ensure there is no rust and do touch-ups if necessary to keep it in shape.



Here in Norway that kind of insulation is expensive. The styro is the cheapest I found. I am not settled on what to use on the floor but I like the idea of T&G and epoxy. As far as I know it already has marine grade ply flooring however I want a way to strap the machines down so adding a couple extra layers would be a great way to add thickness so I can screw the machines down.

Paul.
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You could try coating the roof and sides with elastomeric paint. It adhears very well and will flex with the metal as it expands and contracts. Prime any bare metal with rust inhibiting primer then coat with the elastomeric coating. You can even have them tinted to the color you would like.

There should be 3/4" plywood floor the additional 1-1/2" would allow for 2" of embedment of the lag bolts which should hold the equipment down pretty well.

If you have not priced the spray foam you should. I was surprised to find that it was only 20% more than standard batt insulation here in the states.
 
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For my temporary home shop, I currently have a 20' container. Inside I have:
Lathe,
Mill,
Metal bandsaw,
Surface grinder,
Workbench
HT oven
Welder
Welding bench
Computer
Small Cnc desktop mill
Bench grinders
2 large rolling toolchests.

All that is a squeeze but I still get a lot done in there.

I cannot imagine having wood tools in there as well. It would never work.
 
Very cool. If you need to skin in wood I have to recomend plywood over osb. Screws hold so much better. Good luck on the buildout. Please keep us posted, pics too.

I will now search usernames for pics of shops. If posters don't have them, kindly post some of your shipping container shops.
 
I also have a 8 x 20 storage container. I bought mine to store my daughters furniture etc. after she lost her husband. Mine was an older unit and we noticed some leaks so last fall I placed a large tarp over the top. I'm thinking about installing a pitched roof this summer this should cure the leak problem. I can tell you that 8 x 20 is not all that large. Good luck on using one for a workshop.

Paul
 
If you can't put any holes in the container, the how about a "False" front to temporarily replace the opening. It can contain a normal door, window and A/C-heater and any other openings. You could even make it so it breaks down and can be put inside the container when you need to re-position it.
 
Man I'm sure you can do it ill snap some pictures of my shop later in a 23ft box trailer. And my lathe is 15ft long and 5ft wide ha. I also have a 10"x50" mill in there a big bandsaw 8'x32" bench press and tons of other stuff.
 
Before you go at putting everything in there, I would recommend getting some CAD software and making some crude space claim models of all of your tools and then using the computer to arrange them in the space. It's not perfect, but it will give you some idea of where you can place things and how much isle space you will have. You will need to pay attention to things like access to electrical boxes and belts that need to be changed so that you can make space for them. It beats trying to move all that stuff around by hand and guessing at it. It will also give you an idea of how much cabinet space and workbench space you may be able to build into it. I've done this with my shop, and it has worked out fairly well.
 
cjtoombs said:
Before you go at putting everything in there, I would recommend getting some CAD software and making some crude space claim models of all of your tools and then using the computer to arrange them in the space. It's not perfect, but it will give you some idea of where you can place things and how much isle space you will have. You will need to pay attention to things like access to electrical boxes and belts that need to be changed so that you can make space for them. It beats trying to move all that stuff around by hand and guessing at it. It will also give you an idea of how much cabinet space and workbench space you may be able to build into it. I've done this with my shop, and it has worked out fairly well.
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I have drawn up the container on grid paper and made some cut-outs. I found this to be faster and cheaper than modelling it on CAD. So far the figures look like this:

Square meters of space in container: 13.8
Square meters of equipment combined: 6.8

This includes all the machines, tool boxes and rotating small parts storage. This didn't include a work bench as I am looking at making a folding bench to maximize space. I had allowed for taking up 2/3rds of the floor space so if I need to, I can still add a fixed bench. I have not calculated the amount of space for access to the mill and lathe yet as this could be organized so that the space needed can be combined with the walk way or open space.

Paul.
 
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That will work, too. The only thing doing that won't give you is how it is going to feel trying to get around things and actually work. I did that in my shop, but I did have to make a few adjustments after working with it, as there were things poking out that were uncomfortable to get around sometimes. Good luck.
 
I found that the least painful arrangement for me was to have all the machines on one side, storage and pegboard on the opposite side. Had a nice little bruise on my back from stepping back from the drill press right into the handle of the Atlas horiz mill's Z handwheel. Right angles may work as well in the corners if possible. I used graph paper and cutouts, too.
 
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