Today I had a brainstorm. There's a place I drive by a few times a year that has numerous cargo containers stacked five high with a sign that says you can have one for $1500. These are the big shipping containers that cargo ships carry, then drop onto semis when they get to shore. It occurs to me those would make a pretty decent start for a shop.
The larger ones are 8 feet x 45 feet with about 9 feet interior height. They are already weather proof. It's essentially fire proof too. They already come with high security doors. If you want you can customize it by adding doors and windows. They can be driven right to your lot and dropped on a pad, if you have one. If you ever move you can have a semi come and take your shop to the new location. And it could even double as a moving van for all your stuff during a move.
Think about it... over 360 square feet of space... and if you need more space, get two and connect them.
May not be the prettiest shop in town, but it's totally practical. It's environmentally sound too, as this is essentially reusing something that is non perishable. If you spend a little it could be very comfortable. A window air conditioner could service the whole unit (when the forge wasn't fighting it). A small ventilation and filtration system could keep dust and fumes in check. Build in a row of Streater tables/shelves and you'd never want for counter space. Weld workstations directly to the walls.
And when you outgrow it, cut the metal into stock for knives.
What do you think?
- Greg
