Archive for Projects
Oct
13
A new addition for the BOL
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First off Mrs. Prepper isn’t pregnant, its not that kind of addition! I mentioned yesterday that I had something else to show you… Yep, I had the second cargo container dropped off over the weekend. I took some photos to show you how these things get delivered.
#2 getting delivered
This is actually the third container that I’ve purchased and had delivered. These last two times were obviously being placed at our current location and went real smooth. However, the first time was at another property that we owned near by. The delivery of that box was a complete disaster from start to finish. To give a little credit to that particular driver, it was a difficult road to navigate. With this in mind we had the owner of the company that sold us the container come take a look and make sure he could get the thing delivered to our site prior to coming to an agreement on the price, to include delivery. We were assured that this was going to be a little more difficult than the average but that his driver would get the job done.
Almost down
I should have known that this would end badly, the driver was 4 hours late. No good reason just late? What? You don’t just show up someplace 4 hours late without a VERY good excuse… This guy did! I had driven quite a distance to be on hand for the delivery and had to be back home the same night, so needless to say I wasn’t in a very generous mood when he arrived.
Well, lets get this show on the road… He walks the route before getting down to business backing the trailer up the driveway. He told me that it was a good thing the boss had sent him as he was the only driver that would be able to make such a difficult approach. He was decidedly cocky about his abilities but I didn’t really care how it got done as long as it did and quick. So he starts getting the truck lined up down on the road and then he’d back it up the drive and around the corner to where I wanted it put. He got no more than a third of the way up the drive when he gets stuck. The more he jockeyed the trailer around the worse he tore the driveway up, the more he tore the driveway up the worst he would get stuck. This sad competition went on for more than 2 hours when he finally decides that he just can’t get it up there. OH, OK – I explain that I have paid for it to be in a certain place and unless he wants to take it back with him, he needed to come up with something because it wasn’t even on my property yet… We went round and round before he decides to call a local track hoe operator that the boss knew of. The heavy equipment guy said he could come drag it up into place in the next few day but it would be about $300 dollars. The driver offered to split the cost with me, uh no! You either put it where I contracted to have it or you reduce the cost by enough for me to pay the other guy to finish your job. A few phone calls later and the boss had given him approval to reduce the bill.
#2 getting delivered
Almost down
Containers side by side with room for the garage area...
I thought we had this all taken care of, he would just drop the box in the approach to our driveway and the track hoe would do the rest. I told him that I couldn’t stay any longer and he was on his own. It should have taken just a short time to dump it off and he could head out as well… The operative word here was – “should have”.
I called his office the next day to make sure he had done as we agreed to… I was told that the owner wouldn’t accept my call and that the driver hadn’t succeeded in dropping the load until well after midnight and only then with the help of 2 tow trucks. WHAT? It seems that he blew out the transmission when he was showing off his extensive skills… After I left, he tried to drop the box and found that it wouldn’t come off the truck in the current position. When he went to reposition everything he found that he had ruined the tranny. He apparently was able to call a tow company but had to wait for hours before they got there and even then it required a second truck to get him straightened out. He did get the delivery made roughly where he had agreed to and the track hoe put it in place, so a happy ending after all. Except for the shipping companies owner that had to replace the transmission, after reducing my price on what was a low profit product to start with.
Anyway, back to my original story! You had already seen the first container at the BOL and now we have a second. My photography skills aren’t exactly professional grade but I wanted to document this second delivery. This would help me illustrate to you what was going on in the disaster delivery!
If you noticed there is a considerable space between the two boxes. I bet you can guess what my plans are… Thats right – GARAGE or barn might be a better description. I’m not currently planning to get the thing finished quite enough to call it a garage but when I get done it will provide a number of different uses for our group…
First, this will provide some much needed overhead cover. We are at a distinct lack of space to get in out of the rain or beating sun for that matter. Yes, I could just go inside but that doesn’t help when the chores need to be done. Mrs. Prepper isn’t real keen on the idea of setting up the chop saw in the living room… So, I find myself outside trying to get the jobs done in between rain showers or heavy gusts of wind. I’m really not complaining about this. As I’ve explained previously, nothing at the BOL seems like the chore it would be at any other time or place! You all either know what I’m talking about or hopefully will in the near future. I would encourage each of us to have someplace like this, it has a therapeutic effect like nothing else could!
Straight shot up the driveway into the future garage
The space I left between the boxes is 20 feet wide and 40 feet long, this will provide 800 square feet to work with. I am planning to use most of the area like I said, garage, carport, barn or what have ya… However, I have a plan to completely enclose the back 12 to 16 feet as a bunk room setup. This wouldn’t need to be fancy but just have enough room for a set of bunk beds, wood stove and a 3/4 bath. Maybe have a small table and chairs as well if I can lay it out right. I’m looking forward to this project especially as this will allow more folks come stay overnight than we currently can house! Also, Mrs Prepper has asked about a bathroom outside someplace. This would allow folks to not be coming in and out on her clean floor all through the day! Yes, I do realize that an outhouse would work well for this and I have one of these planned as too. I did build an outhouse on one of our other properties, it worked well for the 8-10 years I needed it. It was fairly snug as it was built like a small shed rather than the traditional style. I will probably go with something like this again for the next one… Don’t worry I won’t ask you to help dig it but I will show you the pictures after its done.
I guess that pretty well wraps up this delivery and now you have all seen my new addition. I even gave you a peek into some of the projects that are coming up… What still remains to be seen are YOUR PROJECTS… Thats right I’m going to keep harping on you to step up and share somethings that you are doing. I hope that what I have been sharing with you isn’t just reading material but a swift kick in the butt to start getting those projects of your own going! If I can take pictures of hat I’m doing and figure out how to get them up on the interweb than you can to. Except you can even skip a step and just email me the photos and I’ll put them up for you. I will give you the whole days post to share whatever you want or just send a couple pictures and I’ll start a photo album of projects that you guys submit. Either way you know how to reach me prepper@preppernation.com.
See you tomorrow!
Prepper
Containers side by side with room for the garage area...
First, this will provide some much needed overhead cover. We are at a distinct lack of space to get in out of the rain or beating sun for that matter. Yes, I could just go inside but that doesn’t help when the chores need to be done. Mrs. Prepper isn’t real keen on the idea of setting up the chop saw in the living room… So, I find myself outside trying to get the jobs done in between rain showers or heavy gusts of wind. I’m really not complaining about this. As I’ve explained previously, nothing at the BOL seems like the chore it would be at any other time or place! You all either know what I’m talking about or hopefully will in the near future. I would encourage each of us to have someplace like this, it has a therapeutic effect like nothing else could!
Straight shot up the driveway into the future garage
The space I left between the boxes is 20 feet wide and 40 feet long, this will provide 800 square feet to work with. I am planning to use most of the area like I said, garage, carport, barn or what have ya… However, I have a plan to completely enclose the back 12 to 16 feet as a bunk room setup. This wouldn’t need to be fancy but just have enough room for a set of bunk beds, wood stove and a 3/4 bath. Maybe have a small table and chairs as well if I can lay it out right. I’m looking forward to this project especially as this will allow more folks come stay overnight than we currently can house! Also, Mrs Prepper has asked about a bathroom outside someplace. This would allow folks to not be coming in and out on her clean floor all through the day! Yes, I do realize that an outhouse would work well for this and I have one of these planned as too. I did build an outhouse on one of our other properties, it worked well for the 8-10 years I needed it. It was fairly snug as it was built like a small shed rather than the traditional style. I will probably go with something like this again for the next one… Don’t worry I won’t ask you to help dig it but I will show you the pictures after its done.
I guess that pretty well wraps up this delivery and now you have all seen my new addition. I even gave you a peek into some of the projects that are coming up… What still remains to be seen are YOUR PROJECTS… Thats right I’m going to keep harping on you to step up and share somethings that you are doing. I hope that what I have been sharing with you isn’t just reading material but a swift kick in the butt to start getting those projects of your own going! If I can take pictures of hat I’m doing and figure out how to get them up on the interweb than you can to. Except you can even skip a step and just email me the photos and I’ll put them up for you. I will give you the whole days post to share whatever you want or just send a couple pictures and I’ll start a photo album of projects that you guys submit. Either way you know how to reach me prepper@preppernation.com.
See you tomorrow!
Prepper
Oct
09
BOV – update
Posted by: | CommentsFriday is upon us again! I don’t know about you but it has been a long week. Lots going on and no hope of that changing anytime soon. Prepper juniorette had her seventeenth birthday this week. I’m sure many of you will be able to relate with how I feel… “How in the heck did this happen?” ” How old do I have to be to have a 17 year old daughter?” I remember just yesterday I was 17, OH NO that means she’s probably around 17 year old boys – sheesh, that makes me uncomfortable… Just kidding, sort of, I do feel like the time is going by to quick and she will be out on her own in no time flat. Mrs Prepper and I have been preparing her for that eventuality for years and she will be able to handle herself fine but she’s still our little girl and life will never be the same without her! Pretty soon some snot nose punk will be knocking on my door, asking to take her away from me. At least he better be asking me – lots of wide open spaces around the BOL and seems the country folk practice the three “S” principle… Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up – so I’m obviously among friends!
We have a long list of criteria for that young man to meet before he gets to marry my young lady. When I say we that includes, said young lady. I have always made an effort to show her an example of how a man conducts himself with a woman, especially with a special woman… Opening doors, allowing her to be first to order and so on. I have not only done this with Mrs Prepper but her as well… I wasn’t sure if she would know how to operate a car door handle on her own as I had ALWAYS opened it for her and I still do at every opportunity. I don’t even want my ladies to pump their own gas, they know how to and will of course if I’m unavailable to take care of this for them but its my goal to have this handled ahead of time… Even though they both are competent shooters, we don’t need to try them out at the local mini mart…
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I digress, I actually had something I wanted to show all of you today. Not everything has to be serious all the time, sometimes things are just fun or more fun than practical. Thats what I have for you today, something that isn’t really necessary but still inside the overall theme of prepping.
As a guy I enjoy my gadgets. I remember having alot of fun with my first cars, I would always look for ways to customize stuff and really make it my own. I know nobody else ever did that, right? Yes you did, don’t even try to fool me. I bet there’s alot of you that were just like me, found every nook and cranny or hidey hole to store things in. I know there are some of us that had already been bitten by the prepping bug all the way back in high school.
Kydex Holster attached to center console in BOV
I wanted to show all of you an upgrade I made to the BOV. I spend alot of time on the road and its not always comfortable to keep my carry gun in its holster at all times. Even sometimes when I’m just out off roading in the toolies I want an alternative to just laying it on the seat next to me. I had done this exact thing on one occasion and shortly afterword found myself stomping on the brakes for one reason or another, only to have my gun fly off the seat onto the passenger side floor. At that point if I had needed to reach my gun I would have had to stop the car and lean way over before getting my hands on it. Any alternative I would come up with was considering the gun must remain secure and be ready at a moments notice.
Holster was specified for a G17 but the G19 works fine
Here’s what I did, I went out to the local sporting goods store and found an inexpensive Kydex holster. I had a bit of an idea of what I would need and was able to find one made for a Glock model 17, I carry a model 19 but the 19 is just a shorter version of the model 17 and so would still work just fine.
I also was thinking that it would be nice to have a way to keep a couple spare magazines handy as well. I knew that just putting them in the center console or glove compartment loose wasn’t going to work well. So I found a 2 mag holder from the same company that makes the holster and headed home to start working on some customization.
The gun and holster blend well with the console
I wanted to find a way to have the gun ready at all times without being readily visible from any other cars near me on the road or even in the event of being pulled over by the police. I located the perfect spot, low down on the side of the center console. This was low enough that even if a truck pulled up next to me they wouldn’t notice the firearm and it would be completely invisible from the drivers side window.
Knowing roughly where I thought that this would be mounted I had selected a lefty holster for the project. This would allow me to remove the belt clip assembly and then after it was mounted in place me being right handed would have easy access. This was not a difficult task and came off with out a hitch… Well, almost without a hitch. In the original configuration the holsters belt clip was screwed together from the clip side. When I disassembled the holster and held it in place where it was to be mounted I could see the screws would have to go into place from the holster side this time. This wouldn’t have been an issue but the screw holes were down inside the holster, Hmm! No biggie, this thing is just made out of a fancy plastic material. I just drilled a couple of access holes in the outer side of the holster to line up with the holes on the inside. You know the old saying, “cut to size and file to fit…”
Empty center console in BOV
Alright, holster down and mag holder to go… I wasn’t initially sure where the mags would go. I was fairly certain that I didn’t want the mags mounted to the outside of the console like the holster was. I examined the glove box but gave that thought up right away as to put them in there would require that I sacrafice all use of the area. The clearance would be all wrong and the mags would still be somewhat hard to reach in an emergency. This left the center console… I emptied the current stuff out of it so I could get a real good idea of what might be possible. It was looking like this was a bust as well. There were CD holder slots in the bottom and this was preventing the depth I needed to make the holder fit and have the ability to close the trap door while the mags were in place.
Console after Kydex 2 mag holder installed
I kept looking for a viable setup when I realized I could take the back plate of the carrier. This was the part that created the slot for a belt to pass through, enabling the user to have the mag holder on the opposite side from the holster. Once this plate was removed I saw that I would be able to mount this much the same way. Screwing it to the inside of the console would be made possible with the same access holes drilled to allow me to get a screw driver onto the screws and tighten them down.
I went to work and with a little fine tuning was able to get this mounted also. Both of these upgrades came out very smooth. It looks as thought these items belong right were I have them located. I hope that the photos due them justice…
Well, that wraps up another week here at Prepper Nation, now get out there this weekend and get something done. You might consider telling a friend about this really interesting blog you’ve been reading… Help me spread the word! Thanks
Prepper
Sep
21
Home again, Home again…
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- Beautiful September Day
Well, we’re back… Its always a challenge to actually leave the BOL! The BOD, loves the place so much and just doesn’t want to leave. We hate to disappoint her so we end up staying as long as possible, which in turn gets us home late in the evening. No one can claim we don’t squeeze out all the hours possible on a weekend trip… We do it for the BOD though, not for us of course… Anything for that BOD’s happiness!
The brown makes it all but disappear in the trees
The weather is starting to turn and it won’t be long until we have to start leaving the heat on again or we’ll end up with broken pipes! We installed some irrigation drip lines this last Spring too, for the fruit trees we put in. Actually, I enlisted the help of my brother for the project. He’s an award winning landscape artist and is a real wiz with irrigation, we’re all very proud of his accomplishments. I get the usual family discount whenever he works for me. Parts plus “Free Dollars an hour” labor, it probably actually costs him money but hey with a brother like me, its worth it. So, what I was about to get to is I’m going to have to get those irrigation lines emptied and blown out prior to our first deep freeze as well. So many things to remember!
The brown makes it all but disappear in the trees
Roofing problems
We had a very cold winter last year and I’m going to make plans for another one this year as well. We had one incident with a broken pipe last year in the well house. I had built an insulated room in the center portion of the cargo container and then had an electric heater set to come on when the room got down to freezing temperatures. I thought I would be slick and put a “Thermal Cube” devise on the power cord for the heater. This is a small switch that will turn on the power at 35 degrees and then turn it back off at I believe 45 degrees. Nice idea as long as it works! I had taken a day trip to the BOL for some reason, can’t remember now. I happened to go in the well house room before I left for home, only to discover that I had pieces of PVC pipe all over the floor. What the heck? I wish I had been able to get a picture of what I saw… The pipes come out of the floor and then go into the system and fill the pressure tank. I had pieces of broken pipe laying around and the water was still frozen in the shape of the pipes configuration. It would have been kind of cool if it hadn’t meant that I had no water until I fixed it.
All done!
As much as I like everything to go smoothly all of the time, these little set backs are good for teaching me the lessons while I have the hardware store and an income. I have extra parts put back now and the repair lesson as my guide, just in case this happens again. The only explanation for the failure is that the Thermal Cube was a dud? I decided quickly I wouldn’t be relying on any gimmicks in the future. I hate to rely on the grid for this need either but it’s what I have right now. I will have to figure something else out long term, maybe a small wood burner for once we get there full time? We’ll see…
I had a couple of projects to finish this weekend and also try to decide if the roof could make it one more winter. I hate to even have to risk it but it may be unavoidable. You can see that there are some spots that are looking REAL bad. I took alot of photos so I can get a roofers advise on what to do. If I have to put the roof on this fall it will be a new roof over the existing one. I have a real problem with doing this as it isn’t good long term and I HATE doing things twice… If anyone has some first hand experience with this dilemma, please email me, I would love to get some input!
I have had a real problem with actually getting my projects completely finished. Now I was good for 90-95% complete but if I didn’t get it done when I was initially working on it then it could go months before I’d be nagged, I mean encouraged, by Mrs. Prepper to get it done if I knew what was good for me! So this weekend was about tying up some projects.
Roofing problems
All done!
I have had a real problem with actually getting my projects completely finished. Now I was good for 90-95% complete but if I didn’t get it done when I was initially working on it then it could go months before I’d be nagged, I mean encouraged, by Mrs. Prepper to get it done if I knew what was good for me! So this weekend was about tying up some projects.
Pretty Rough
As you can see, when I was painting the cargo container I had run out of paint. I was amazed at how much paint it took to cover this thing… I had started the project with 2 gallons, thinking I might even have a little extra… No dice, I used that 2 gallons and an additional quart I had left over from another project. At that point I was out of time anyway but I still had the entire back side to go? So I brought a couple more gallons and used 1 1/2 to get the last of it painted… Next time I’ll know, and I guess, so will you – It takes a five gallon bucket of paint to cover a cargo container, not including the roof!
I had additional trim work to complete on the last 2 windows I didn’t get done last trip. I still need to caulk the new boards in real good and then paint all the trim. This is something I was hoping to have done before for we start into the wet cold winter. Hopefully I can avoid the roof until spring and work on wrapping up some more small projects without needing any additional encouragement from my lovely wife! Thanks Honey!
I spent some time surveying my holdings with BOD and have added a whole list of projects and expenses that will have to wait for spring, as well as the needed finances. We do have an additional project or two slated for this fall if the weather will cooperate. I always have any number of things that could keep me busy, so don’t worry about me getting bored! Sounds like a great problem to have, bored at the BOL… Someday!
Prepper
P.S. – I’ve added a subscription form to the site. Please consider subscribing so I can alert you when ever there’s new content being added! Thanks!
Pretty Rough
Sep
13
Cargo Container Extras
Posted by: | Comments I found a few extra photos of the cargo container. If I had realized this would be so popular I would have been more diligent in taking the pictures of the way it had progressed. Sorry! I am going to be purchasing another one for an upcoming project and will FULLY cover it from the delivery through completion.
You can see the original paint color and the old 5th Wheel in the background
These shots today include some of our utility system as it was getting setup inside the container. It isn’t real pretty and wasn’t much fun either. I have gotten a good handle on working with all the different types of PVC and other related conduits. It’s amazing the amount of different fittings, fixtures and configurations that you can a collect and achieve with this stuff! As only a prepper would, I tried to buy at least of few more of everything as I worked on my projects, thus the large-scale disorganization I keep finding myself in with my storage areas. I LOVE logistics so its all fun but I find myself having to buy that one missing piece to complete something, only to later find that I already had a stockpile of the exact item one box beyond where I had stopped looking before running to the hardware store.
You can see the original paint color and the old 5th Wheel in the background
These shots today include some of our utility system as it was getting setup inside the container. It isn’t real pretty and wasn’t much fun either. I have gotten a good handle on working with all the different types of PVC and other related conduits. It’s amazing the amount of different fittings, fixtures and configurations that you can a collect and achieve with this stuff! As only a prepper would, I tried to buy at least of few more of everything as I worked on my projects, thus the large-scale disorganization I keep finding myself in with my storage areas. I LOVE logistics so its all fun but I find myself having to buy that one missing piece to complete something, only to later find that I already had a stockpile of the exact item one box beyond where I had stopped looking before running to the hardware store.
High security lock set to make sure the doors stay closed while I'm away!
Off topic but small country hardware stores are AWESOME. It reminds me of going into an old mans workshop. Dusty bins made from whatever was at hand, gotta love the resourcefulness of it! We have a long time chain in the Seattle area, McClendon’s Hardware, it was opened probably 100 years ago. Slowly they grew and all the new stores were modern but they left the flagship store alone for the longest time. You could always find that strange tool, bit, mismatched hardware or whatever you needed by taking a drive to the home store. As you walked through the store they had old black and white pictures of the original owners and employees hanging throughout the place. They still had the customer service counters from the 40’s and 50’s. You know the kind that had the ashtrays built right into em! Now, I gave up smoking along time ago but when I see bits and pieces of what a free nation looked like back in my Grandfathers day or even in large part my fathers day? I swore I wouldn’t cry while writing the blog anymore after the “Deep, Dark Hole” post… Seriously, I have a strong desire for the way things used to be. I feel like not only have we been ripped off but a better way of life is gone forever… “Sorry kids, we just couldn’t keep the progressives from robbing us blind, good luck to you. Here take my mint condition Mauser and this box of cartridges and see if you can get it back?”
High security lock set to make sure the doors stay closed while I'm away!
Off topic but small country hardware stores are AWESOME. It reminds me of going into an old mans workshop. Dusty bins made from whatever was at hand, gotta love the resourcefulness of it! We have a long time chain in the Seattle area, McClendon’s Hardware, it was opened probably 100 years ago. Slowly they grew and all the new stores were modern but they left the flagship store alone for the longest time. You could always find that strange tool, bit, mismatched hardware or whatever you needed by taking a drive to the home store. As you walked through the store they had old black and white pictures of the original owners and employees hanging throughout the place. They still had the customer service counters from the 40’s and 50’s. You know the kind that had the ashtrays built right into em! Now, I gave up smoking along time ago but when I see bits and pieces of what a free nation looked like back in my Grandfathers day or even in large part my fathers day? I swore I wouldn’t cry while writing the blog anymore after the “Deep, Dark Hole” post… Seriously, I have a strong desire for the way things used to be. I feel like not only have we been ripped off but a better way of life is gone forever… “Sorry kids, we just couldn’t keep the progressives from robbing us blind, good luck to you. Here take my mint condition Mauser and this box of cartridges and see if you can get it back?”
Peek a boo view of the utility area for the well...
I digress, I was saying that I’ll do a better job in the future of attempting to get every angle and more of the step by step down as I go through my chores. Thanks for sticking with me as I get this all down to a science.
I have literally a dozen projects that are coming and I’d really like to tell you all what they’re going to be… Unfortunately, I know a few of you would assume that this implied a verbal contract and then I’d be legally obligated to get my stuff done. I’ll get these to you as the budget allows and the weather cooperates. Be assured there is some cool stuff coming up!
Thanks again for all the additional feedback that has been coming in via email and the comments section. I know I have many things to work on. I’ve changed the text color and style a little to try to get better readability. I had several comments that it was hard to read. I have exceptional sight and so maybe I was a bit slow to catch on that it was to small and dark? I’ll try to make it easy on you but you’ll have to let me know what you would like to see improved.
Peek a boo view of the utility area for the well...
Thanks again for all the additional feedback that has been coming in via email and the comments section. I know I have many things to work on. I’ve changed the text color and style a little to try to get better readability. I had several comments that it was hard to read. I have exceptional sight and so maybe I was a bit slow to catch on that it was to small and dark? I’ll try to make it easy on you but you’ll have to let me know what you would like to see improved.
Where the conduit and water pipe comes through the floor.
Additional side note, “ERnurse” and a few others have indicated that they are also in the greater Pacific Northwest area. If there are other folks in the neighborhood, too please speak up! Maybe we can all get together for an afternoon and talk shop? I’m very aware of OPSEC and we could do this on a “FIRST NAME basis only” as we all have alot to lose but also to share. Just a thought, but I would be happy to know that more and more folks are waking up and getting stuff done. I’d be glad to shake anyone’s hand that fits that category.
Please help me spread the word if you like what we’re doing here. The more the merrier as they say. As one that was a shameless lurker for many, many years without getting involved, I thank all the folks that have corresponded. I do understand most people don’t like to and that’s just fine. If you each would tell a couple buddies about “Prepper Nation”, the better chances I have of finding a few folks that do like to chime in! No guilt what so ever for the silent masses but I really would like to have other contributors giving their unique point of view and sharing their skill sets with us… So tell a friend and we’ll just keep getting better and better!
Enjoy what I was able to get you on a Sunday morning before church and I’ll bring you something exciting tomorrow. At least it’ll be exciting to me, as usual I can only hope you like it.
Prepper
Where the conduit and water pipe comes through the floor.
Sep
11
Cargo Container
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40 long feet of prepper fun!
Ok, I promised to get back to this topic later in the week and now its Friday so I better give this post to you, as promised. Yes, I talked Mrs. Prepper into letting me purchase a cargo container for our new land. “It’s sooo neat and all the cool kids have one, pleeaassee!” Actually, its not like that at all, Mrs. Prepper is probably into prepping 75% as much as I am! She actually asked me one time if we had a 50 caliber rifle yet and if not shouldn’t we get one just in case – I know, I know, now you’re jealous! She’s beautiful too! When you eventually see me in the upcoming videos you’ll know I tricked the poor woman for sure – sucker…
Really how this came about was we were deliberating about what we would do for our “Well House”. This is the building, room or what have ya that holds the well pumps electrical switch and pressure tank! We get some real cold weather through out the winters here and this being a largely unoccupied retreat required a little extra forethought. We contemplated just building a small shed structure for this purpose. I’m not a big showy person at all but I appreciate aesthetics when it comes to my land. Doesn’t have to be perfect but I will always try to make my buildings somewhat symmetrical and keep all the paint colors coordinated if possible. Funny how these traits only seem to come out in me when it comes to things like this.
We ended up deciding against the shed idea, which does happen to be the most common way the folks around here do it. We really needed secure storage, a well house, garage for the quads and tools, etc. Now, to be completely honest, I really did want to get a container but it had to make sense for our needs. Just so happens it was a logical choice for the needs currently at hand!
Door end of the container... Look secure?
I would be required to design something to maximize our usable space, while also heating and insulating the area for the well house. Just what a guy needs, a challenge, design how you want your containers floor plan laid out… Tough job but somebody had to do it.
So, next we had to find one and for the allocated funds available. We knew that the best deals were going to be found in the port cities, Seattle, Tacoma or even Portland, depending on what the delivery cost would be from that distance? I got out the phone book and, who am I kiddin, I googled Cargo Container Seattle and with in a couple dozen links was able to secure a good price on a 40 footer. I also found that the 40 foot length is almost the same price as a 20 footer? Doesn’t make alot of sense to go with a 20 to save hundred bucks. I found a company that would deliver a guaranteed not to leak 40 foot box in “Good” condition for just about $2000 dollars. This was when the price of gas was at about the highest it got last summer. I had run the numbers for building a shed large enough to meet our needs and it wasn’t going to be all that much cheaper, materials and time factored in. Plus I could get all the buildings that I had an immediate need for, all in one.
After making the decision based on all the practical requirements. I was then free to get excited about my 40 foot steel box with the extra secure features to make sure all my preps stayed where I put em! I am impressed with what you really are getting for a relatively small price. I wouldn’t want
Here you can see all three rooms...
