Freeze Branding Cooler

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I built a cooler out of 16 gauge steel for a angus ranch in southwest KS. They freeze brand (dry ice and 90% alcohol) roughly 5000 head of cattle a year and needed a cooler that was functional and durable to hold 30 plus branding irons and withstand the extremely cold temperature. The inside measures 16" wide x 16" deep x 38" long. The outside is 18.5" wide x 18.5" tall x 40.5" long (1.5" thick wall and lid). It will be spray foamed using slow rise foam (R value of 7 for 1" thickness) and a rubber gasket will line the top of the cooler where the door closes. The cooler weighs roughly 80-90 lbs. There is a cart it sits on to help maneuver it around the barn. Everything will be painted light stone upon completion. I built this for a buddy so only charging him for materials (no time). Just wondering what someone would pay for this exact setup to use for camping, tailgating, etc.? There is about $300 in materials. Attached ImagesLast edited by 4Mfarms; 02-17-2013 at 03:45 PM.
Reply:Pelican, Yeti and some knock off brands are the same price if not cheaper and are pretty a pretty slick setup (hold ice for up to a week) if you ask me so I would have to say not worth it if there is already $300 in materials let alone labor on top of it.Just my .02Mechanical Engineer
Reply:BLUE2KSS, I understand your point but a Pelican 65 quart is 25.66" x 11.16" x 12.50"( not big enough) interior dimensions and cost $350+. It would take a Yeti 250 quart cooler ( 48.25 x 17 x 17.25 interior dimensions) to hold all the irons and it cost $800+. I don't think either can withstand the extremely cold temps from dry ice and alcohol miuxture for long periods and multiple uses along with wear and tear.
Reply:Will the gas strut work at those temperatures? You may need a much strong strut due to ideal gas law.-Jim
Reply:Kb0thn, While branding they leave the lid open because dry ice/alcohol mixture evaporates very slow. Gas struts are on the cooler to keep the door open more so than opening and closing it. And i did think about this and purchased struts that have a 30 lb lift capacity each just in case.