Do you prefer a workstation riser or a top box?

[Brandon_K]

I have a KRL 1023 w/ stainless top and the time is coming to make it bigger. I'm still undecided on if I want to do a top box or if I want to do a workstation riser.

I'm not wrenching professionally anymore and in my current (rental) house, I only have a single car garage with no workbench. As such, the KRL is my workbench. I'm looking at a few houses right now, 3 car garage minimum so I'll build a workbench for the new place, which takes that out of the equation.

My Dad has a Snappy 'Vette box with the riser and it seems nice. Commonly used items are right there at your fingertips, screwdrivers, ratchets, extensions, etc, but obviously I'm loosing huge amounts of storage vs the riser. Of course I can always add side boxes or lockers later down the line. My 1023 is at ~85-90% capacity right now, though I'm going to do some rearranging soon. It's the wrenches that are killing me, I need to find a better storage solution for them other than WrenchRacks. I would like to find something that stores them on edge. Anyhow...

I do like keeping all of my chargers and such on the top, I would lose that with the top box, maybe I should just trade it in on an 83" Epiq

If I was working professionally, I would almost certainly go with a riser, not having to put the laptop away, put tools away mid-rebuild, etc, just close the riser and lock it.

So, what's you're preference, riser or top box?

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Top box...

 

[DarrenF]

I struggled with this too, but eventually decided on a top box. My 7023/1203 combo should be here tomorrow. My dealer is a fan of risers, but i have been using a top box as long as i have been wrenching.

 

[Indy_500]

top box, then build a seperate workbench. not the best idea to be pounding on a toolbox anyways

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I'm kinda partial to the riser with top storage and a side locker.... Don't know why....

Edit: I used to have a top box on my old setup but got tired of having to get a milk crate to reach the stuff in the back in the top drawers. That stack was only a single bank and by going with the 1023 and adding the side locker, I have a lot of extra room and can tear down most items on the stainless top and not worry about spills. Don't forget to mount a light in the top of the riser and a power strip in the back.

I will try to post an updated photo tomorrow showing that.

Edit: Replaced old picture with a current one of the box

 

[mkdive]

If that was blue....holy smokes that would be my dream box!!!

 

[Michael]

I guess if I had to choose it would be the riser. I don't use either one though. I use a slant opening box like the ones strictlytoolboxes sell. I have it on the left corner and it leaves the rest of the top free for whatever. 90% of what I use daily is in it and there has been days when the bottom was never opened.

 

[whelenfan]

Green is far drom my favorite color, but that is one of the best looking boxes that I've seen!

 

[taylorboi]

I'm kinda partial to the riser with top storage and a side locker.... Don't know why....

Edit: I used to have a top box on my old setup but got tired of having to get a milk crate to reach the stuff in the back in the top drawers. That stack was only a single bank and by going with the 1023 and adding the side locker, I have a lot of extra room and can tear down most items on the stainless top and not worry about spills. Don't forget to mount a light in the top of the riser and a power strip in the back.

I will try to post an updated photo tomorrow showing that.

now thats what im talking about love the color

 

[caper]

Actually since I bought my krl722 a few weeks back I've been missing my top box like crazy.I looked at what Snappy lists as the proper top box for mine and I'm not impressed with the drawer layout.I've been toying with the idea of buying two 26" wide top chests and putting them side by side on top of the krl.That way I can pick a couple of chests with a drawer layout that suits my needs.

 

[Stick]

Why settle when you can have both?

 

[Deafautotech]

most of time i work at ford dealership, i has KRL1203 and KRL1003, most of common tools at top box, easy and quick way to get it.. but heavy tools or sockets at bottom box.. no problem.. that why i got craftsman 6 wide 40in bottom to do for my work on as bench so i can roll around and have drawers to keep a tools in for overnight.. I have MSC12 to do work on vehicles but if for heavy line jobs, i use both...