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Yes, but you’ll need reliable steel-cutting tools and safety gear to get started. Shipping containers are typically around ¾ inch thick, so it’s entirely possible to cut through them, but experience and the right equipment are very important. When possible, try to get a container as close to the size you want it as possible.

You should not do your own welding unless you have the proper training and experience. Most home electrical systems can only handle MIG welding, which creates weaker bonds than TIG welding and won’t work on certain metals or metal thicknesses. Both welding forms usually require the use of shielding gas, which can be dangerous to store at home. Additionally, welding machines create temperatures of over 3,000 degrees, and the sparks can blind you if you don’t have the proper equipment. As such, it’s usually better to hire a professional welder for your welding projects.

It will likely take an experienced pro less than an hour to install a ground rod, which is another reason why letting them handle the job is such a good idea. Safety concerns aside, it would likely take you much longer to install a ground rod if you decided to take this one as a DIY job.

Since water heaters are primarily made of metal, they’re commonly accepted by scrap yards and collectors. Don’t expect to fetch a high price, though—water heaters are mostly steel and aluminum, which aren’t high-value metals. Some components are made of more valuable metals, like brass and copper, but they’re a small portion of the heater and won’t affect the price much.