How to protect snap on wood top

[Deano3]

Hi everyone this is my first post since introducing my self, I have just purchased a kra 40" snap on roll can with wood top, before I take to work I want to make sure the wood top is protected. What is the best protection for the wood top like oil etc or varnish ? and also I have a normal 9 drawer top box as need to but in van for breakdowns so was wondering if there is anything I can put on top of the wood to protect it as don't want it ruined wish I had the thick rubber material u normally get when down get the wood top but don't as would just lay that directly on top

Any help appreciated
Dean


Thanks Dean

 

[wornoutoldman]

I would advise you to drop something sharp/oily/greasy/dirty/heavy on it first thing. It IS gonna get bruised/damaged. You want to be the one and the first to do it. It CANNOT be avoided. If you have to keep it pristine bring it into your bedroom and fill it with socks and underwear. Preferably the wife or girlfriends.


Oh and welcome to the GJ!

 

[Deano3]

Haha I know going to get dirty and damaged but want to keep the top in best condition I can for a while lol, so what's best products like varnish was oil etc ? And when I'm workshop my box gets covered in dust and just crack so what's best way to clean box or any other treads on this ? Usually use a solution to clean with a cloth but I am probably rubbing all the **** into the paint and scratching it more [emoji1]

Thanks for the welcome


Thanks Dean

 

[countryroad82]

I don't have a wood top for my box but I have seen a lot of guys use regular wood polish or whatever is handy to clean/protect their wood tops. When I bought my 7022 brand new, my Snap On rep was finishing up delivery and was about to put the rubber mat on top of my box when I stopped him. I grabbed a stray piece of 80 grit sandpaper and ran it over the top. Rep goes nuts asking why I did that!? My reply? That's the first one, it was under my control, the rest won't matter as much now!

 

[Kensgarage]

Bend up a piece of stainless to cover it.

 

[drivesitfar]

Dean: I agree with Ken about buying a piece of stainless and having it formed over your new wood top. If that's not in the cards go buy a rubber horse mat that is 4 x 6 foot and 3/4 inches thick an cut off a piece to fit the top. It's heavy enough to stay in place and use the remaining piece on the floor to stand on. Cost of that size rubber horse mat is about $45 in my area and usually at feed stores or farm supply.

 

[manwithtools]

Dean: I agree with Ken about buying a piece of stainless and having it formed over your new wood top. If that's not in the cards go buy a rubber horse mat that is 4 x 6 foot and 3/4 inches thick an cut off a piece to fit the top. It's heavy enough to stay in place and use the remaining piece on the floor to stand on. Cost of that size rubber horse mat is about $45 in my area and usually at feed stores or farm supply.

Great idea! Even better yet - replace the wooden top with the horse mat. Store the wood top at home and if you ever want to sell the tool box (not sure why you would now that I think about it, unless money someday gets tight) you can put the original top on back on it.

 

[nadogail]

I put Minwax stain & varnish on my workbench.

Every three or so years, I take the belt sander to it, and completely refinish the top.

 

[larry_g]

Wood is soft and sacrificial, there to protect the parts and tools that you set on it. It is not a decoration . Use it up and replace it or as Nadogail does re-sand and refinish. Personally I would go with an oil finish.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Kevin54]

A piece of stainless, or a piece of Lexan if you want the wood to show through.

 

[Tommo3]

Put the top under your bed. Buy a sheet of ply cut a piece put on box use the hell out of it repeat as required.

 

[Xauterus]

Cut a piece of wood to put over the piece of wood???? Like putting a condom on over a condom.

 

[mhejl]

If that's not in the cards go buy a rubber horse mat that is 4 x 6 foot and 3/4 inches thick an cut off a piece to fit the top.

This! Horse stall mat is perfect - and super cheap (around $50/sheet now). Available at Tractor Supply. I have it on both my SnapOn boxes, use chunks of it under the air compressor, etc. Weighs a ton and difficult to deal with a single sheet by yourself but cuts easily with a razor knife.

 

[Tommo3]

Cut a piece of wood to put over the piece of wood???? Like putting a condom on over a condom.

You need to check out Kevin54's sig line mate

 

[Stuart in MN]

Put a piece of 1/4" tempered hardboard on the top. It's cheap, durable and it looks decent.

 

[rayra]

1/4" lexan. Sturdy enough, cheap enough, replaceable, and you can still see the wood. You apid top dollar for it might as well still look at it.

 

[MarkG]

Use it as is. Woodworkers have used wood benches for ages! That's what it's for. If you want something to keep 'purdy', build a coffee table or something! If it ever got so bad you couldn't stand it, re-finish it. Something like several coats of a penetrating oil (Danish Oil) finish won't chip off and is easy to re-apply additional coats.

 

[rsanter]

Options....
Don't use it
Cover it with a piece of sheetmetal
Cover it with a thick rubber mat

Bob

 

[ATC]

Put the top under your bed. Buy a sheet of ply cut a piece put on box use the hell out of it repeat as required.

That's what I came to suggest. Take the SO top off and store it somewhere. Get a piece of 1/2" plywood and cut it to fit. Router the edges and soak it in poly if you want.

I used a piece of 1.5" thick desktop on my MAC box for a while, until I got a top box.

 

[unslow1]

Put a piece of 1/4" tempered hardboard on the top. It's cheap, durable and it looks decent.

That's what I put on my workbench. Then a couple of those rubber mats from Jeg's with the dips to hold screws.

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performance-Products/555/80170/10002/-1

 

[Deano3]

Do the snap on wood tops come oiled or varnished ? Want to put wood oil on but cannot put over varnish and hard to tell ?

Thanks dean


Thanks Dean

 

[WhiffySpark]

buy the rubber mat from snapon. They're only like $30 I think

 

[Deano3]

I am going to but still want to oil the wood but not sure if varnished or oiled already any one know ?


Thanks Dean

 

[Deano3]

Anyone have any idea ?

Thanks dean


Thanks Dean

 

[Mark in Indiana]

What works for my needs is 1/8" masonite for the wood tops on my work bench and roll-around carts. It's cheap, durable, won't splinter, and has a good smooth surface.

If I spill oil, solvent, etc. on it, I quickly wipe it off to prevent it from getting ruined. I haven't had to change them out in over 5 years.