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Many of us face the problem of inadequate room for our shop space or build space. A couple of weeks ago, I happened upon a show-and-tell feature on TV regarding using surplus shipping containers for those purposes. After doing a Google image search I found there is a whole world of these applications out there, including companies that sell plans for conversions of same.

You would need space somewhere on your land to place them, and need the local zoning ordinances to permit their use. However, if you live in a more rural area, it's probably not an issue. Here are a few random photos of ones I liked from Google. There are many, many other ideas out there.

Cheers,

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

I love the last one. Storage and workspace with a real roof overhead.

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Too much week, not enough weekend.

OOPS I did it again
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=17496

Blood Sweat and Beers
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=15216

Third is the way to go, even if only used for one wall.
I've put a lot of cars into containers.
They are too narrow to build a Locost in comfortably.

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If I must be a one-man PC free zone, so be it!

The second application is about 1000x more useful than the first. The primary problem with the "box" is that you can't swing anything longer than about 6 feet. I suspect that first one is so expensive (never mind moving on-site) that it might be cheaper to just build a proper stick-based building - one where the floor doesn't rust away.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

I vote for the one with the uncluttered workspace. Talked to guy yesterday about clutter. He said he has about 40 lineal feet of workbench, but only about two square feet of work area. I'm close behind.

Bill

There are all kinds of ways to combine these containers. There are also many types of containers beyond the standard "box with end door" we're used to seeing. Here is an example of one with side and end doors that's been converted by a UK company that does it for a living.



You can go to https://www.mrbox.co.uk/container-conve ... s-gallery/ to see other examples for many other purposes. There appears to be a growing industry world-wide converting these units and making accessories for them to make them more useful.






It just represents a very fast, cheap way to create certain storage and workshop facilities. If I lived in a rural area, I would definitely consider them.

Cheers,

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Damn! That front slip angle is way too large and the Ackerman is just a muddle.

Build Log: viewtopic.php?f=35&t=5886

Someone - and in fact I think it was here - made a building using sea containers. I don't remember who said it but do remember that he said (paraphrasing), "... after it was all said and done, it would have been better and cheaper to just build a regular wood frame shop."

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

This is what I have come to as well. If I lived near an ocean port and could buy these for 800$, I would have two right now. At my location 1500+ 200 shipping is a screaming deal. In the first post, second picture, you have two 1700$ boxs where a 2x6 wall would suffice. The major benefit of them is having the ability to pic them up and move them.

One place where these would save alot is you wouldn't need a concrete floor like you do a traditional shop. Concrete alone can run I to the 10s of thiusands

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Build on

Chris
Build: NA Miata based +221 Se7en

Yes and no, the steel container needs to be up off the ground, be it gravel, piers, or some sort of foundation, though I get your point. While they're very "immediate", I'm not sure they hold up over the years, though I'm happy to be corrected.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

I have 6 of them, ranging in size from 5'X8' to 8'X8'X40'. Very quick to set up, plumb and run electric in them, but I can do it cheaper with frame and stucco (or sheating). But I can't move it after. I mounted vertical manhole racking in almost all of them to make them really versatile and changeable. If you are going to put a gantry crane in one, for God's sake, don't run the I-beam down the middle and take up valuable headroom. Run it down the opposite side from your workbench and put a swing out beam on it. The corners are a helluva lot stronger than the middle of the ceiling.

Tom

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Sometimes, I'm as confused as a baby in a topless bar.

My short term memory is absolutely horrible and so is my short term memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG16m2e4O6I

gravel with good drainage is all that is needed and is a lot cheaper than concrete. You need the gravel and drainage under your concrete anyways so there is no difference in cost there.

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Build on

Chris
Build: NA Miata based +221 Se7en