2022 - Volume #46, Issue #4, Page #28
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Workshop Built From Shipping Containers
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To date, the structure consists of four shipping containers, each 20 ft. long. They are situated on the corners of a rectangle measuring 32 by 50 ft., with 16 ft. between the pairs of containers. Everything rests on a crushed rock floor, and a hoop house set up overtop adds versatility to the workshop.
Part of the structure is covered by an insulated ceiling. “I plan to heat the 16 by 20-ft. area under it on cloudy days,” says Stover. “On sunny days, no heat is necessary, thanks to the structure’s greenhouse effect.” The workspace can get quite hot in the summer, so Stover adds a shade cloth to the west side to cool things down.
Building the workshop was a gradual process. Stover bought the four containers off Craigslist over six years. They averaged about $2,000 each, though he expects the price would be higher today.
He purchased the tubing for the roof online through a fencing company for about $2,000. Other materials, like plastic, lumber, hardware and the wiggle wire channel for the roof, added another $1,000, while the crushed rock flooring was $500. Stover sourced a 14 by 14-ft. overhead door free from a friend and was able to use his backhoe, tractor, dozer, and 60-ft. boom lift to aid the project.
While there’s no electricity installed, Stover runs a diesel generator with an extension cord from an adjacent greenhouse when power is needed. He also uses a Miller gasoline-powered welder for many projects.
When Stover considers his progress so far, he notes that he would do things differently with the hoop house if he were to start again.
“The hoop house roof needs to be bowed outward (not straight tubing like it is now) to keep the plastic from billowing in the wind. It also needs more bracing to accommodate the snow load. Therefore, I plan to turn the tubing (that the heavy snow in January bowed in) 180 degrees, so it bows out. Then brace it with steel braces to the top of the containers to strengthen it.”
Despite some setbacks with the roof due to heavy snow that will require repairs this year, Stover is still progressing on his workshop and is optimistic he will continue to perfect the design even if it takes a while.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Craig Stover (ph 860-982-7596; cstover2506@gmail.com).
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