Thread: Southern Tablelands Shipping Container Build

There’s a pair of photos of your kitchen window. I see you put up the timber frame before cutting a hole in the steel.

Did you use an angle grinder to cut the opening?

Did you screw/bolt the steel to the timber frame in some way?

Did you encounter any issues in waterproofing the opening, particularly with the sheeting being corrugated? I’m just wondering how you did that.

The only timbers connected to the container steel were the top plates of the walls. Bottom plates were fixed to the ply timber floors. So the framing wouldn't be impacted by any expansion/contraction or movement of the metal walls. (At least that was my theory!!)

All steel was cut out using a 125mm (5") angle grinder. People suggested a plasma cutter - but I wasn't keen on spending to getting the compressor and gas bottles. And I gave up on the idea of using a 230 mm (9") grinder when I heard they were nicknamed "Widow makers"! (I believe they are banned on a lot of work sites.)

With the cutouts - I initially cut around the windows and door pre framing, but left several 1" tabs of steel uncut to hold the panel in place. The reason for this is that it is difficult to get around the framing to cut the steel. The tabs were easy to cut from outside. I suppose I could have cut the openings from the outside but alignment would have been more difficult.

This pic shows the pre-cutting for the big windows before starting the framing.
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Re: waterproofing - as the opening framing wasn't attached to the steel, waterproofing was done just like on an ordinary timber framed house. With internal and external insulation everywhere, reveals and jambs tended to be quite wide.

Thanks for that.

Probably a reasonable idea not to attach too much timber to the steel. There might have been a lot of creaking going on as the sun comes in and out from behind clouds. I had a house like that. Some like the sound. I hated it.

I’ve never heard the term widow maker in reference to an angle grinder. Understandable, though. I have 9”. They give quite a kick and they are heavy, and get heavier the longer you use them. Some machines have a progressive start, which is nice.

I have a mate, very experienced in metal work, who had his mouth, teeth and nose heavily impacted when his 9" grinder "caught" and broke the cutting disc, and it all reared up towards him in a split second of mayhem and then the runny red stuff

He's lucky to be alive by the sound of it. All angle grinders must be used carefully, and the big beasts can be scary.

I've slowed down a fair bit lately - even taken time off to read a book, look at the view, go for walks. But there are still some things to finish.

This was the last thing I posted - tiling the kitchen backsplash. Here it is finished
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As I've probably mentioned - the tiles (leftover bathroom wall tiles) happen to have the same dimensions as the large kitchen draw fronts - which is a nice bit of serendipity! This is how the counter will look once the toaster and coffee machine are in the 'mini butler's pantry', And the ugly draining board will sit in the sink when not in use.

The next thing on the list was the pull-out pantry. I decided to have a go at making one of these once I discovered I had a narrow space in the kitchen which would suit one really well.

All the tall ones online were super expensive, so I thought I'd have a bash at making one.

This was the SketchUp design i made:
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There are two industrial sized draw runners attached to one wall and the shelving unit at the top and bottom.

It is now in place and being used (really useful for the myriad different sauces, spices and herbs I have!!) even though the false front hasn't been added, nor the handle. I still need to make the surrounds, and I put my old IKEA Billy bookcase where the butlers pantry will go temporarily as it's also really useful for storage.
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The purple fountain grass I planted a year ago has settled in nicely. It is now about half its finished height. The colour of it blends really nicely with the rusted steel planter box.
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I really need a low piece of furniture to hide the back of the sofa as it is very visible. I am after something in old pine with some open fronts to store books
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Something like this but without the cupboard fronts:
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Then I can display my new (old) African antelope headdress from Mali. I've wanted one of these since the '80's when I first saw one. I had it sent from the States and made the base for it.
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The lounge/dining room in the late afternoon sun:
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I also bought a couple of ottomans, one for each bedroom. Handy to sit on when donning shoes and with useful storage in them
Main bedroom:
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2nd bed:
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Great place for brekkers!
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My banksias have gone from a single flower last year to quite a lot this year (and my callistemons have bloomed 3 times since Spring which is quite uncommon. Twice is usual)
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And not so long ago I heard a noise on the back deck late at night and discovered a sugar glider having a nose around. First one I've ever seen! (about the size of a European squirrel)
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Currently I'm starting to build the main kitchen pantry and I've bought sheer nets for the big windows and need to install them.

Interesting idea with the pull-out pantry. I’m thinking it shouldn’t pull out entirely to prevent the risk of it falling over. Then again, if you did pull it right out you could move it to where you need it, and that could be handy. The side rails are a good idea. If anything had to fall off and become trapped under one of the wheels it could become problematic.

A nice colour choice on the floor. Your plants are looking good too.

The unit has drawer runner attached to it so it pulls out almost completely but the runners stop it from coming right out. They also fix it to the wall so it can't tip over. It's very stable considering the weight of products in it.

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