Renovating a shipping container for storage

In this video I set up and renovate an old shipping container as a storage solution. Although it was in pretty bad shape when I got it, I think it now has several years of service ahead.
Check out my recommended tools/gear:
www.amazon.com/shop/torbjorna...
If you like my videos you can support me at:
/ torbjornahman
...or buy a T-shirt here:
tahman.myspreadshop.com
For more info:
www.torbjornahman.se
/ torbjornahman
/ torbjornahmanblacksmith

[@Yuxiaolun]

This container, which has seen many oceans, has arrived on this land after long years of work. This container would never have imagined that its rusty body, which had been overworked for so long, would have an ending where it could be so well taken care of. The happiest container in the world.

[@torbjornahman]

:)

[@ammoalamo6485]

How anthropomorphic of you. Will you be sizing leashes to take it for a walk?

[@davidwillard7334]

AND ! QUITE ! HAPPILY !! RUSTING !! AWAY !! MORE !! TOO !!

[@PaganWizard]

I think that, if Neil Peart would have ever written a song about a shipping container, it would have included lyrics like this.

[@cyborgar15]

@@ammoalamo6485 Take a magnifying glass, look through it up at the sun. You will see something special...

[@robroy5729]

I don't know how, but all of the videos you make are extremely relaxing and motivating at the same time. Thank you for providing us genuine content!!!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks Rob!

[@danielhanawalt4998]

I've thought about getting a shipping container and making a workshop. I'd like it to be wider so putting two side by side and removing the middle sides between the two containers would work. I've seen some old mobile homes for sale and thinking that might be more cost effective. Nice to see the kids getting in on the action. When I was a kid nothing was better than helping out with things. Made me feel all grown up and useful.

[@CountryGypsy1720]

Good to see you get the kids involved, we went through hurricane Andrew in 92' I was like 13 or 14. My father's homeowners insurance company went bankrupt because of the storm, so my dad ended up using up his life savings and his kids to rebuild our house from scratch! At the time I bitched and moaned, but looking back now, I truly appreciate the fact that my parents made us learn what hard work really is and how rewarding it feels when you are done. We learned it all from roofing to laying tiles drywall, etc. RIP Mom and Dad and thanks for teaching us not to be lazy kids.. haha! 🙏 And thank you for sharing this and making me reminisce about my childhood! 👍😊✌️

[@Daniel-xc3ke]

Survived Andrew myself. Great story and lessons learned. Luckily our insurance helped out.

[@CountryGypsy1720]

@Daniel OH wow, very cool to find someonewho shared the same experience, what part of South Florida were you in? We lived in Leisure City at the time. We actually stayed in our home. It was an older home, and most of the new homes in our area completely lost their roofs. We luckily didn't. We didn't even board up our windows. We just had duct tape on them l o l.. But somehow we survived! I heard that our roof didn't come off because we had air flow through our house, and the people who lost their roofs were the ones who boarded up every window. 🤔 Not sure how true that was, but it kinda makes sense because of the pressure. Glad yo hear your insurance helped! 😊 Have a wonderful day! ☮️

[@RelicForgeCo]

My entire workshop is in one of these, They're awesome. Love what you did with the roof.

[@WowCoolHorse]

I'd love to see a shop tour video!

[@integr8er66]

But the question is why did he put a roof over the roof?

[@WowCoolHorse]

@@integr8er66 because containers have flat roofs with dips that collect water and lead to accelerated rust, so he built a roof with a slight angle to it to make the water drain off properly (+ in the future he could add rainwater collection to that roof)

[@RelicForgeCo]

@@integr8er66 No I think the real question is why didn't he put a roof over the roof.. over the other roof. Tri-roof.

[@integr8er66]

@@WowCoolHorse Well I own a bunch of these, and first off they are made of Corten steel which is made to withstand weather, second if you just put a jack under any low spots and bend them up and Voila, no more low spot. Lastly why would you collect water from the roof where birds poop?

[@BobCaseyAerial]

Good job, the smithing shop can get crowded with scrap metal and pieces that can be used at another time. Clearing it out makes the shop look so much neater & cleaner. I'm the same way. Everything has its place.

[@torbjornahman]

Yes, that's the idea!

[@gtbkts]

Exactly

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Safer as well,. less chance of tripping over stuff, etc

[@davidwillard7334]

THEN ! YOUR !! LAND !! TAX !! SHOULD !! GO !! UP !! BY !! HAVING !! MORE !! CONTAINERS !! ON YOUR !! PLACE !! THEN !!!

[@frankvolkle870]

Cool project - really nice thing! :-) Just one suggestion because of my own bad experience: try to close the gap to the roof with a stainless steel fly screen mesh. It'll prevents wasps and hornets from building nests. They have enough space around and shouldn't use your new storage ;-)

[@adrianwawrzyniak8657]

I confirm, protect against wasps and bumblebees

[@EVMacD]

I’m thinking protect the bottom from critters making it their home in the winter too. Do you have skunks in Norway? My shed became a party place for them until my son and I did some serious digging and backfillling with gravel to remedy that problem

[@crabmansteve6844]

Yes, this. I don't live anywhere near, but here in the South US (Georgia) you would have so many bees, dirt daubers and spiders if you didn't get ahead of it.

[@PatrickKQ4HBD]

@@crabmansteve6844 Carroll County here. Definitely!

[@xmuggsyx]

Copper mesh--- prevent rodents too?

[@465maltbie]

The wasps will love living under the roof, looks great and I know many people will be jealous of your storage space. Charles

[@torbjornahman]

I'm prepared! :) :) Seriously we have so many places for them to nest, still it's not often we find one...

[@465maltbie]

@@torbjornahman Have a great week, thanks for sharing. Charles

[@felixperezvillega3368]

It is incredible the amount of valuable things that a man ends up accumulating and keeping..., and habitually called by his wife as garbage.😃😃😃

[@NKG416]

miss my father, we used to build stuff, gardening together. good for your kid, they have many videos to remember you, here in your channel

[@maplebones]

If the Colorado Potato beetle has made it to Sweden, you're welcome. One of our most popular gifts to the world, right up there with the atomic bomb.

[@MrPhotodoc]

The best thing he did was raise it up off the ground. When it snows the doors can still be opened.

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

You get a fulfilling feeling on the completion of a project like this one. Nice job man!👍

[@torbjornahman]

Yes! Thank you!

[@Daniel_cheems]

Excellent work Torbjorn! Your children have grown up, I'm glad to see them helping you :)

[@emybooyoung]

You’re hired my friend. See you at the shop in the morning 💪👍🫵

[@bigfatbaataed]

When you sat down in the doorway at the end, you should have had a nice ice-cold beer to crack open...

[@rentregagnant]

One of the many things I appreciate about this channel is the fact that every project is a quality job, done in a professional way from start to finish. (Obviously, the fact that 1) there are potatoes involved and 2) that Torbjom's children are working side by side with their father just makes it better and better!) Well done!

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks!

[@gretchenmorfea5988]

Torbjorn, I love the way you live your life, simple, happy and self sustained. It is so nice to se a life like that with skill and care for family. You surely know what your are doing! A skilled blacksmith, wood worker and handyman as well as a loving father, you are living the dream! I greatly enjoy watching these little snip it’s of your life and would love to be in a similar spot! Keep the videos coming and enjoy everything you do! Sincerely, A learning blacksmith and crafts/handy man.

[@torbjornahman]

Thank you so much! I try my best... It's not always a success... :)

[@krishnavilashbiswas2969]

Brother I forgot to watch this video of yours right now I was feeling bored and randomly searching for restoration video and suddenly your video came I was little bit surprised that you make new tools but never restore anything. Please make some restoration video also I and my friend love to watch videos like this. Thanks bro

[@9amStudio]

I watched the whole vid! it was satisfying

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Happy to see you wearing a respirator. There are many unknown surprises that can come from these containers.

[@torbjornahman]

Yes and the floor is treated with nasty chemicals.

[@platinum646]

Yes like snakes and spiders from other countries. I cringed at the thought the people would get bitten...

[@pbjwizard]

@@torbjornahman i would also sweep it with a lead kit and a geiger counter, if you haven't already. i'm sure there's other tests that are slipping my mind

[@PapaDan]

Great project to get the kids involved. Crocs! My go to shoe!

[@torbjornahman]

:) Thanks

[@PapaDan]

@@torbjornahman I also wore Red Wing steel toe work boots for all my working life over four decades. Still got a pair for when the sparks start flying. By the way I was a car knocker for the railroad. That is, I inspected and repaired railroad cars.

[@PapaDan]

Really enjoy your content. Thunder Bear never disappoints. ✌️😎

[@anselmsalins7314]

Wholesome ! beautiful work, amazing talent, your family is Blessed !

[@alexanderpour7377]

Super. Very good work. I insulated the roof and floor with 15 cm of homemade thermal concrete (90% styrofoam ball with 10% liquid cement). Then Onduline. Mine was used 40ft high cube container. Now I have to insulate the outside wall.🙂

[@samuelvigil3604]

I enjoy watching these videos of family coming together working together being outdoors building things. One thing I learn watching these videos valuable lesson is to take your time pace myself and enjoy every moment. I have the tendency to get frustrated and want projects completed quickly. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@ohasis8331]

Took me a lot of years before I learnt to just do a day's work properly and worry about tomorrow tomorrow.

[@zachjohnson3573]

This dude is legit living a real life Minecraft. Crazy

[@user-wh3zd6om1h]

Salivating from such an acquisition!

[@MsFarmer567]

I wouldn’t brought my roof out to meet the opening, to give a better weather coverage; a deck stepping up, just a suggestion, can’t beat morel storage, love the ideal and the green house, the property period is beautiful. 👍

[@papaown]

It''s good that you get your kids involved. You seem like a great dad. Thanks for the video!

[@jpallen719]

I can’t begin to explain, many of us men know this, how compelling and rewarding this kind of work and video is…. I don’t get to do much of this kind of work anymore, life has changed for me now, but Iam inspired and motivated to find meaningful projects and complete them. Even your son will grow up with this kind of work ethic. Thank you Torbjorn.

[@hmidasliman6504]

Beautiful green paint

[@bevcatevideos]

Thank you for not overwhelming the video with annoying music 🥰

[@transshieldmaidensBexKasey]

That was so cool to watch I love your channel so much, peace and happiness to your family I can't wait for the next installment.

[@paradisefalls37]

Really nice work! Thank you sharing!! You are one of my favorite Blacksmiths/ craftsmen!!

[@qaziquyyum6001]

OMG,i was glad when saw your kids are also helping you,its all your good trainimg of your so kind & obedient kids.I am praying to ALMIGHTY ALLAH SWT to give you more strength & more coordination in between your family.AMEEN.

[@Vikingwerk]

I know the signs! Any project involving cleaning out a shop corner full of scrap means one thing: New Tool! Well I’m looking forward to seeing what tool takes the spot that was previously scrap storage!

[@sighheinrich]

Looking good Torbjørn! The container is looking nice as well :)

[@reidlanham2011]

Wow, that looks nicer than some houses I've seen! Great job!!

[@george8873]

Those blocks you used to set the container on look like giant Rice Krispies treats (puffed rice breakfast cereal and melted marshmallows mixed together and pressed into bars, very tasty)... and now I want some, lol.

[@torbjornahman]

:)

[@oakleyloew]

Can't believe you did all of that without your crocs in sports mode!! Sign of a true master of the craft. Great work :)

[@torbjornahman]

Ha ha

[@utoobia6872]

Seeing your son in this video so grown up reminded me of how long I've been a subscriber. He was about the age/size of what my son is now when I first ran into your videos and subscribed. Thank you for the great content over the years. This was another great project.

[@matthbva]

That’s a lot of work, but a very worthwhile result. Well done. I am deeply envious.

[@g.janssen]

Verry verry nice, this will save a lot of space in your workingplace

[@outbackladas]

Good project. Wow, those children of yours are certainly growing, won’t be long and that boy will be a tall as his father. You should install a bed and a fridge in there, then when Mrs Ahman isn’t very happy with you, you’ll have a great little “hideout”. 🤣 Regards from Down Under.

[@torbjornahman]

Good idea! On the other hand, I would be locked in I guess....

[@outbackladas]

@@torbjornahman 😂🤣😅

[@ncm55449]

Super handy things those shipping containers.... You did a great job adding your detailed eye's touches... Absolutely great!!!

[@chiponeal8582]

Consider 12v lights off a small solar panel, voltage reg and battery. If you need light at night. Works great in mine. Very nice btw.

[@brianalder2234]

Also LOL! Nice to see someone else wearing "Safety " Crocs ! Thumbs up :-)

[@mikeboone4425]

I must say seeing the kids out there doing what they can to help out does my heart good and takes me back a long time ago it was fun, as I'm sure you would agree . Nice job on the storage container when you do something it is done correctly no matter the subject first class work . Happy trails

[@springwoodcottage4248]

Fabulous! Always such a time saver when you can easily get to tools. In the uk I have several steel sheds that I use for workshops & storage. One issue in our climate is that after frosty night there is so much frozen condensation that it’s like bring in rain when it warms. Insulation helps, but I also like to put cloths over tools to keep them from being rained on. May not be an issue at your latitudes. Thanks for sharing!

[@davidwillard7334]

Till ! Your ! WHOLE ! PLACE ! IS ! FULL ! OF ! SHEDS !!! HEY !!

[@datyjo]

Оу... Отлично получилось... Хороший вариант немного разгрузить мастерскую от материала. Очень интересно наблюдать за Вашей работой. Great job!

[@raskahn9286]

Those are some awesome looking potatis!

[@Cremantus]

Thumbs up, man. That looks like a proper result.

[@Avel_runner]

Awesome job as always! Loved the roof you made

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@Rubbernecker]

Superb! Everything you do is of the utmost quality and care. Well done sir!

[@Zbee167]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@stevendelvecchio3721]

As always, a pleasure to watch you work. Enjoy the renovated space. I'm sure it will serve you well.

[@DaMainMouse]

Nice work really poshed it up good, we have 2 bolted together as our machineshop, if I may add a note on the roof, we were taught to put the screws through the high ridges to keep them being exposed to so much water, looks cracking keep up the great content 🙌

[@integr8er66]

But the manufacturer actually recommends what he did, Also unless you have some sort of underlayment support system those screws on the ridges can't be pulled tight. The ridge fastener idea is an old one that came from when nails were used in wavey corrugated galvanized metal barn roofs.

[@ohasis8331]

@@integr8er66 That's true but I find that those neoprene washers don't last a long time - birds seem to like pecking at them till they're gone. I've also replaced all the old lead head nails in my corrugated iron roof and used screw fasteners through the old nail holes in the high points. It really tightened the whole roof down snug.

[@ScrewsAndTools]

Everything is just wonderful in this video! Good luck and good health to you!

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks!

[@winterrain653]

Family work! Love this! Better than spending time in front of the TV. God bless!

[@donniebeall8152]

You have such a pretty homestead

[@jorgedebairosmoura]

Buen trabajo y excelente idea, gracias abrazo desde Argentina!!!

[@roar40s]

Cool project! If you want it to stay dry though you need to add some (forced) ventilation.

[@tonybrandt8850]

I like that this video shows the reality of shipping containers. You can't just buy one, throw some furniture in and use it. They take a beating during their career.

[@joeblow1934]

I really like the part harvesting the taders. I also really like your workshop.

[@torbjornahman]

Cool, thanks!

[@jackthompson6296]

Nice! My grandpa had two 40’ containers full of his most important not junk :) His didn’t have a roof like yours and boy do they rust out fast if they don’t drain well. Still I suspect you will have condensation (and rust) problems inside without some ventilation. A battery powered LED light by the door with a motion sensor might be a good investment too, you can usually just stick them on the wall. Also a screen door is so nice during mosquito season, but it has to be robust enough at the bottom to keep bigger critters out!

[@torbjornahman]

Haven't seen any condensation yet, but a fan is probably a good idea!

[@nopenonein]

@@torbjornahman Check out The Container Guy on KZbin. He builds containers in Canada and experiences the same climate as you. He has lots of tips for keeping the inside of the container dry and free of condensation.

[@torbjornahman]

@@nopenonein Cool, I will!

[@brianalder2234]

Love your channel ! However ! Faced with painting a storage container , mini paint rollers come to mind . Once again great channel !

[@Mues_Lee]

That's why you have kids :D It also keeps them busy during holiday :D

[@brentonkelly3780]

Nice one. You are very organised. 💪😀

[@teriguerin8371]

Excellent video, Thank you!

[@george8873]

Not sure if you thought of this, but you can utilize the space between the container and metal sheeting you added by storing thin, long bar stock and stuff like that. I know some of it comes in long lengths, and you should be able to slide materials up and under the roof with the way you made the support rafter on the end thinner. Just a thought I had when I seen the space when you were building it.

[@torbjornahman]

Yes, that's possible!

[@aserta]

@@torbjornahman Be aware of rodents tho, if that's a thing in your area. They may not be interested in the existing space (as is) but once you put stuff up there, they will like the "cramped" nature and make it a home. Source: had it happen to me, they peed all over.

[@brobinson8614]

@@aserta rodents are cute and their pee washes off

[@adrianelsner4936]

Jak tak patrzę na ten dodatkowy dach nad kontenerem to aż się prosi żeby tam było extra piętro nad nim. Ale to taki mój wymyśl. Jak zwykle super.

[@717379]

A well deserved rest 👍

[@MENTIRICRONEDELTACRON]

Parabéns pelo excelente trabalho!

[@ghaghaymohamed7516]

Beau travail, beau Conteneur,beau jardin comme d'habitude bravo

[@joanharris8057]

Wow! You sure transformed the shipping container!

[@shahabarefi37]

Hey Torbiorn,Du machst perfekt.Danke

[@armandopinto8743]

Como as suas coisas são sempre organizadas esse contêiner ficou show de mais amei..

[@m2hmghb]

Great work on this build! Are you planning to put in some type of dehumidification to stop rusting? I love the roof, but if you had extended it by a meter or so you'd have a great work area for a portable bench in the shade.

[@StonyRC]

OUTSTANDING. If only I had the space for one!

[@tomahoks]

18:25 ”smoke them if you got them”

[@boblow2186]

Great conversation. And love the gold and cream drill got one my self. Thay don’t make them like it any more. 😁👍

[@torbjornahman]

Thanks! Yes, it refuses to die...

[@Justin-C]

Nice work, as always! Might be a good idea to close off the roof though to prevent birds or any other critters from nesting up there.

[@torbjornahman]

Maybe, but I really don't mind...

[@dondieu3154]

Outstanding revovation of an old shipping container. Can't believe how good it looks now. Bravo!

[@Bestcabinetmaker]

Nice job! I have two.

[@KpxUrz5745]

The workmanship shown here is exceptional. Really excellent planning, and accurately done! Inspiring.

[@lloydbush]

Every kid's dream is cleaning something with a water jet.

[@torbjornahman]

:) At least for a while!

[@jean-marievennin8405]

Well done Sir and a good retirement for this "20feet" in a good Home.😊 May i suggest you to add a gouter on the lower side of the roof in order to collect the Rain in a water tank. Free water could be nice for the garden.!!! 🤔🤔👍👍 Bon Courage and stay safe.😉😉

[@andreacrashe9894]

*Wow that container looks so different now... You are so precise in what you are doing to have it all so perfect... Great to see your two kids helping out too. Just one tip for your son re holding a paintbrush when he does any painting. Get him to hold it more like he would hold a pen, then he will get a smoother flow on any paint job.*

[@danbreyfogle8486]

Good idea on the roof. I see a lot of these containers used and always wonder if that flat roof will become a problem, you solved it!!

[@wernerpfeifer]

Großartige Arbeit, fehlt nur noch eine bequeme Stufe😉

[@edwardsdeacon]

👍🏽 dry nicely done. The prep-work paid off quite well. The best past was doing this project with your son.

[@habibifather7681]

This was awesome

[@user-gn8gdyj7vdd]

Здорово! Молодец! Удачи!!!

[@jank330]

you are aware that you cant have just one container this is the start of a container farm.

[@magnusdennert]

Amazing work

[@paliggae]

Great looking mancave!

[@mirek74gpplubliniec38]

Brawo- super 👍

[@henrikjorgensen1614]

Ett ord bara !----Förnämligt Ser själv fram emot att se mera videos från dig i hösten

[@torbjornahman]

Tack!

[@thetrackhoeman5176]

That turned out cherry. Excellent video!

[@billrose2083]

A real inspiration !!!!

[@Hellsong89]

As a tip, when making foundations like this, what ever its terrance or small building like this. after you have put the gravel in, pour in some water and pound it firm with peace of log that has board screwed on top as a handle. This way you minimize the droop when foundation firms up and also leave into plans way to jack the thing up and put some shims between in case earth under it is not compressed as it should. Just remember if you cant make it perfect, least make it adjustable. For the container in the video, leaving a gap like that on the roof makes perfect place for little fuck heads like hornets to make nests, so ether have no gap or large gap, where you fit your self to remove it early on. Also while at it, why not to extend the roof outwards and give your self little lip to take cover for small rain? While the flat roof kind works structurally, there should be angle on it, so any snow concentrations will fall off and water will run off on summer, specially important when you screw the sheets from the bottom of the groove where water collects, just begs for the seal to leak. Least he painted and use sealant on any holes drilled.

[@fredericapanon207]

@Hellsong89, Torbjörn has put a low slope on it to allow for rain drainage.

[@openyoureyes3969]

Racoon will love it.