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Thread: The studio
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12th February 2014, 11:13 PM #1
The studio
I wasn't going to post a WIP on this. It was going to be a fait accompli. All done and dusted, except that something happened, which made me think that it was worth mentioning and once I'd done that it automatically had to fall into the WIP bracket.
Briefly, which I hope you will understand it supremely difficult for me, just before Xmas we decided SWMBO needed a studio. This was so our dining table could be cleared of various needlework type projects and we could have Xmas dinner. Our solution was to obtain a used shipping container and convert it into a suitable working space.
Now you all know what a shipping container looks like so I hardly need to post pix of the ubiquitous 20' box that you see on the back of every other truck driving the highway.
However, we felt this was not an environment conducive to productive work so it had to be modified. The first problem was light. We had three old aluminium windows that we pulled out of the house. These were going to be placed down one long side of the container, thus giving more light than Edison dreamed of.
We could have bought an insulated container for, you've probably guessed it, the insulation properties, but it still looks like the inside of a coolroom and not conducive to productivity. Consequently a standard box was purchased and we insulated it and clad it internally with VJ board for solely cosmetic reasons.
Now two of the windows were inserted quickly, but there was insufficient room for the last one and It had to be remade. I was in the process of cutting it out, taking care to protect the surrounding VJ board and flooring from the sparks there would be from the cutting.
studio 001.jpgstudio 004.jpg
Very thoughtful, but not quite thoughtful enough.
studio 003.jpg
This was where the grass (if you can call it that) outside caught fire! Fortunately SHWBO smelt the fire and we quickly extinguished it. Doesn't look like much there and even in reality it wasn't bad, but it was a wake up call!
This is the window cut out
studio 005.jpg
The idea of the container is to have a cupboard at one end and a fold up bed at the other for occasional guest use.
This is how the cupboard is panning out:
studio 009.jpg
Gluing up the doors:
studio 008.jpg
I was really scratching around for clamps.
Doors in place, but still have to be painted of course:
studio 010.jpgstudio 012.jpgstudio 013.jpgstudio 011.jpg
Most of the timber came from a nearby cypress mill. I bought a little over a cubic metre of 100mm x 25mm. So everything is made from that. For example, the header above the cupboard (which is really a wardrobe without hanging space) is 100 x 100. So, four pieces glued together. Easy. yeah, right .
This is the skirting, cornice and cover strips for the ceiling: In raw form as you can see .
studio 014.jpg
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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13th February 2014, 01:22 AM #2.
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It looks like it's coming along nicely Paul. Keep us posted!
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13th February 2014, 07:13 AM #3
Good stuff Paul.
"and a fold up bed at the other for occasional guest use." Occasional use by whom.....?
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13th February 2014, 10:20 AM #4
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13th February 2014, 10:31 AM #5
Some more pix of the outside:
Studio views 001.jpgStudio views 003.jpg
Whilst a shipping container provided a ready made shell, it did present some problems in that the wall profile had to be accommodated. Also being a used container, it had some knocks. For example the roof was domed. I had a think about that one and realised that a forklift had been driven inside to unload and the mast had been raised too high .
Another problem is that although the walls are quite thick, once a hole is cut in the wall it is free to move around: A little bit as if if were just corrugated iron except that it can't be pressed back into shape anywhere as easily.
I had to make up waterproofing for above the windows and door. Each profile was different and a separate template was made for each. This was the result sealed against the steel with sikoflex:
Studio views 002.jpg
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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13th February 2014, 10:43 AM #6
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13th February 2014, 10:48 AM #7
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13th February 2014, 11:33 AM #8GOLD MEMBER
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Paul, the domed top is a common proceedure carried out by fork drivers. The idea is to stop the roof ponding. helps greatly if leaves are an issue. Nice job by the way.
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13th February 2014, 12:28 PM #9
Thanks Ken
I hadn't considered it was done deliberately, although I had recognised that it would shed water more efficiently. This is the sixth container in our possession (actually that should be five: One belongs to our son) and it is the first with this "feature." It did mean more work in packing out the roof battens prior to attaching the ceiling.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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13th February 2014, 12:53 PM #10
Hey Paul, how would a container go as a solar kiln? As an idea, one half of (say) a 20 footer could be a kiln and the other half could be ventilated wood storage with insulation etc. The more seriously endowed with timber could up the ante to a 40 footer.
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13th February 2014, 01:10 PM #11
Brett
Now why did you have to go and mention that?
There was/is a company called Rosegum Timbers, based in Bellingen (I could live in Bellingen, but it would have to be on a big bump) who did exactly that. They took an insulated shipping container, built a skillion roof on top of it, which became the solar kiln, and could dry between 8m3 and 12m3 in a single charge. And therein lies the problem. Most of us don't have that quantity of timber, preferably all the same dimension, to dry. In other words it is a commercial or at least a semi-commercial venture.
Having regard to that your 40 footer is most ambitious tending towards fanciful .
They have gone even bigger nowadays.They no longer do such small installations .
http://www.solardry.com.au/solardry/
The day I visited them, about thirteen years ago, my ancient truck broke down. Roger and Martin helped me fix it up so I could get home . It was always a big disappointment that the way things panned out I was never in a position to do any business with them .
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"
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13th February 2014, 06:09 PM #12
G'Day Paul, Yes the old shipping container conversions are a great idea,
but I can't see were you've addressed the hot steel box oven issue, ie, an airconditioner?
If I've miss read the thread, please accept my apologies...
Cheers crowie
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13th February 2014, 06:43 PM #13
Paul, i've set up a few containers as sporting, club house/storage solutions and we found that a simple skillion type roof frame (usually welded to the top ) with some sheet iron on assists with water shed and contributes to cooling.
I've also wired one up with extraction fans as a storage area for Marijuana plants. At the police evidence lockup of course.Those were the droids I was looking for.
https://autoblastgates.com.au
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13th February 2014, 07:11 PM #14
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13th February 2014, 11:24 PM #15
Peter
You are right on the money. We have insulated the container, but also have an old air conditioner to put in the wall for extreme temps. most of the time it is fine but it can't cope when the temp goes above the middle thirties. The light colour of the container also makes a huge difference.
Regards
PaulBushmiller;
"Power tends to corrupt. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!"