How to Cut a Steel Cargo Container
An excess of shipping containers produces an economical form of home construction or an affordable way to add storage to your property. To install windows or standard-size doors in a recycled storage container, you must cut a hole in the container wall. A clean cut through the steel reduces the time required to clean the edges of the hole and makes it easier to install a component in the hole. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fire extinguisher
- White paint marker
- Plasma cutter with internal compressor
- 80-grit sanding disc
- Angle grinder
- Cold galvanizing spray
Instructions
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Set a fire extinguisher within reaching distance of the container.
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2
Mark the hole location on the steel cargo container with a white paint marker. Substitute a high-visibility marker if you cannot locate a white paint marker.
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Hook the ground clamp of a plasma cutter to a steel component of the cargo trailer.
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Turn on the plasma cutter. Adjust the heat setting to 70 percent. Set the tip of the plasma torch on the steel container, aligned with a marked line.
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Pull the trigger of the plasma cutter. Drag the plasma arc along the marked lines. Push the cut section of metal from the container. Allow the cut edges to cool for 20 to 30 minutes.
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Attach an 80-grit sanding disc to an angle grinder. Grind along both sides of each plasma cut. Run the spinning sanding disc across the inside edge of the cut to remove plasma slag.
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Coat the cut by holding a can of cold galvanizing spray four inches from the surface of the steel container hole and spraying the surface with galvanizing compound. Untreated metal edges will rust readily even in dry conditions.
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Allow the galvanized spray to dry for 24 hours before installing a component in the hole.
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Tips & Warnings
Wait 30 minutes after cutting with a plasma cutter to ensure no hot sparks start a fire.
Wear cutting goggles to protect your eyes from the bright arc produced by a plasma cutter.
References
- Photo Credit world trade image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
