InSoFast is excited to be associated with a professional shipping container conversion company, like Mantainer out of Texas. This is the 2nd video and blog post of a 3-part series of interviews where Denver Sheddy imparts dos and don’ts pioneering new trails in the shipping container business.
1. How many approaches have you tried when you frame out and insulate containers?
Our first 2 containers we used steel. We framed our containers with light gauge steel framing. The first time we did it it was “Texas” hot outside. The container expanded in the heat. After three days of the container sitting the walls started to collapse inward. So we had to pull out all the framing and start over. This time we used 2″ square tubing that we use to frame out our doors and windows, it is a lot sturdier.
We ran three rows of tubing horizontally and welded it in. It worked pretty well. The next obstacle we were faced with was we were using older containers so the walls were not to straight to begin with, so that was a setback. We were paying a welder $50.00 dollars an hour to just weld stick so that did not make any sense. On a few project we have used traditional metal framing and insulation. As per the customer request, it was for a testing lab for Exxon. That is what the specification called for so that is what we delivered.
2. As far as “OUR” builds go we are just going to try and make InSoFast the standard.
InSoFast is something two or three guys can do in a day and a half. That will save us a week and a half at least. Trying to coordinate and get trades over here to our shop and scheduling its a day and a half verses 2 weeks, it is simple math and it is quick. With the installs we have the electrical subs come in the second day after the walls are put up and half the ceiling is up. Now the electrician is able to feed the lines and we have one guy now finishing the wall right behind him. The one guy now can rip down the panels to fit the top of the container. It is no big deal. Now are electrician really likes it a lot he does not have to use any power tools to finish his work. No drilling, no sawzall just dropping wire and connecting boxes. Labor is the real issue and InSoFast has taken a couple of trades out of the mix. We don’t need a highly trained quality guy to rough in the insulation and framing. That guy can spend more time on the fit and finish of the container. That is the important part what our customers sees and want a finished container.
Next post: Denver on the shipping container business Part-3 of a 3-Part series. NEXT POST
