Someone explain this Snap On "writing surface" to me please?

[firebox40dash5]

I picked up my new KRL722 last week and have been working on getting it all organized and stuff. Dammit, you guys already got me spending another $300 on the 4" and 6" narrow bank drawers to replace the useless 10" one. Thanks for that, BTW.

SO it's got the sliding "writing surface" in the narrow bank. Only thing is, it's almost 15" deep, of the ~21" of available drawer depth, so I can only get to the front & back 6" of drawer with it in place. OK, WTF kinda engineering is this? Of course, it only really makes sense as a "writing surface" on the top drawer, and even then, it's a wee bit low. That's the drawer I use for my random personal **** organizer. Paperwork, tool truck cash, bottles of pills, paperclips, random small odds and ends. Well, there's not much point if I can only get to ~1/2 the drawer without popping the tabs out from under the drawer edges.

What exactly do you do with these? Sounds stupid I know, but I'm **** about keeping EVERYTHING on my big purchases, and a $3k toolbox counts in my book... so I don't want to toss it in the scrap bin or in the back of the shop and lose it/scratch it all up. But I also don't terribly want to lose a whole drawer just for a sliding flat surface.

The only thing I can think of is to nip the little tabs on the front by 1/8" or so, so it'll clear the drawer lip, and be able to hinge it up from the front.

 

[bobcatdan]

They use to be full length. I always figure they are a cover for a junk drawer. Also when guys use to buy full size top boxes, they we're handy clean place to write stuff.

 

[Murphy4570]

That writing surface is the thing that makes flat-rate mechanics a lot of their money. The power of the pen is greater than the power of the wrench! Document everything, wring out every extra little tenth of an hour on warranty jobs.

 

[GTA Matt]

Threw mine in the trash. If I need to write something, its not gonna be in a crouched over position 3 feet off the floor.

 

[firebox40dash5]

That writing surface is the thing that makes flat-rate mechanics a lot of their money. The power of the pen is greater than the power of the wrench! Document everything, wring out every extra little tenth of an hour on warranty jobs.

War-ran-ty? Whazzat? (I work for an indy shop, and hopefully leaving flat rate soon!) I also use a computer, we don't do much on paper. I also have no plans for a top box, so I just write on the top.

I'd get it if it were hinged like Matco's security lid option, or short enough (10") that I could slide it and reach at least almost anywhere in the drawer. But it's so long only the front and rear 6" would be accessible, costing me pretty much the center half of the drawer's depth.

I'm thinking I'll either bend the front tabs as mentioned so I can hinge it up, or just wrap it in kraft paper and bury it in my bottom wide drawer o' junk.

 

[bobcatdan]

Mine's sitting the barn, took it off when I needed the drawer for tool, not pens and papers I never looked at.

 

[GCncsuHD]

Here's a thought, if you don't picture yourself ever using it, but don't want it lost or damaged, go pick up a handful of those 3M Command strips. Stick them to the writing surface, then stick that to the underside or the backside of the box. It would keep it out of view, and out of harms way, but be there if you ever decided to reuse it or put it back on to sell the box.

 

[Farmall450]

Here's a thought, if you don't picture yourself ever using it, but don't want it lost or damaged, go pick up a handful of those 3M Command strips. Stick them to the writing surface, then stick that to the underside or the backside of the box. It would keep it out of view, and out of harms way, but be there if you ever decided to reuse it or put it back on to sell the box.

Not a bad idea. Or bring it home, through it in the closet.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Not a bad idea. Or bring it home, through it in the closet.

I'm not gonna lie... if I knew the underside was flat (not sure) and I didn't move my box with the forklift when I'm afraid the shop might flood, I'd totally do that one.

My bottom drawers are both just full of random **** (due to the aforementioned occassional flooding) and I have a huge roll of bubble wrap, so I think it might just move there. Or the hinge idea.... hmmmmm...

 

[ttpete]

I have a snap-on folding shelf that hooks on like a side box. It just folds down when I don't need it.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Not a bad idea. Or bring it home, through it in the closet.

If you remove the bottom drawer I think you'll find about 3" of dead space below it - I never saw a toolbox that wasn't built that way.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I have a snap-on folding shelf that hooks on like a side box. It just folds down when I don't need it.

If you google "KRL722 accessories" there's a PDF from snapon.cz that has a bunch of cool accessories, including heavy duty stainless side shelves, and even in 24" & 30" depths that match the KRL boxes. Unfortunately, they seem to be discontinued. I might have to ask my driver if he could try to dig one up... though I have a feeling I might shart myself at the price tag if he could.

If you remove the bottom drawer I think you'll find about 3" of dead space below it - I never saw a toolbox that wasn't built that way.

Excellent idea... I'll try to remember it when my new 6" & 4" drawers show up.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I picked up my new KRL722 last week and have been working on getting it all organized and stuff. Dammit, you guys already got me spending another $300 on the 4" and 6" narrow bank drawers to replace the useless 10" one. Thanks for that, BTW.

LOL, as a new 722 owner myself, I know EXACTLY How you feel...I even went so far as to order some spare narrow Titanium Drawer pull trim so I could order the 2 new drawers as you mentioned (mines gloss black w/Titanium Trim)...but then my BIL told me they offered a 2" and 4" deep drop in "drawer organizer" for it, so I think I'll go down that road instead and use my 10" deep useless drawer for as my PPE drawer...slap my welding helmet, gloves, safety glasses, etc.

 

[lugnut71]

I see a lot of people don't like the 10" drawer and think its useless, don't quite understand why. I have stuff in mine that most mechanics own and it works well! I stand plastic cases in it, brg. Race driver, compression tester, Stant coolant pressure tester, bolt grip puller, etc

 

[GTA Matt]

I see a lot of people don't like the 10" drawer and think its useless, don't quite understand why. I have stuff in mine that most mechanics own and it works well! I stand plastic cases in it, brg. Race driver, compression tester, Stant coolant pressure tester, bolt grip puller, etc

I agree. Great for blow molded cases. Couldn't do without that drawer!

 

[Fcvapor05]

I just pulled the 10" drawer out of mine, wrapped the writing surface thing in brown paper, and put in on the bottom of the box under the drawer.