Stainless top for US General box

[mepstein]

When I was looking for a new tool box, I really liked the look of the stainless top on the Icon boxes but at around $2,850 before discounts for the 56”, it was just too much box for my needs. I picked up a US General and with coupons, it came to $620. So far so good. Recently I started looking for stainless tops and came across a 56” from Husky at Home Depot. I knew it wasn’t going to just drop on but it looked close.

Here’s how it looks with a scrap piece of 9/16” OSB under the top to position it off the top edge. I haven’t secured it down yet but I like the look. It’s not plug and play but I’m very happy with it for the price.

 

[oilslick]

Awesome!

 

[70Beee]

I went the cheaper route using galvanized steel too for my toolbox. Much better than the wooden top it came with.

 

[70Beee]

Toolbox

 

[Colin Len]

You got a great deal on that box! Must have gotten it before the prices went way up. I ordered the same box recently but need to go pick it up.

I'm digging that metal top, may have to steal your idea. How is the durability? I assume this is fairly thin gauge steel with a wood core?

 

[mepstein]

You got a great deal on that box! Must have gotten it before the prices went way up. I ordered the same box recently but need to go pick it up.

I'm digging that metal top, may have to steal your idea. How is the durability? I assume this is fairly thin gauge steel with a wood core?

I purchased it in February. 20% off coupon and bought it with a new HF credit card to get an additional 10% off. Paid off the cc right away. 30% off adds up on a large purchase.

I have a feeling the top is more cosmetic than heavy duty. Yes, steel over wood. For $134, I wasn't expecting a lot. I think it weighs about 50 lbs. I have a heavy duty workbench if I want to hammer on something. But having a top that is clean and shiny means I can put a small clean part on it, see the item and not contaminate it with dirt.

I like the box. Even shy of a grand, there's really no competition. I used to work at a Porsche shop. All the guys had $10K + boxes, except the owner. He had $15k boxes that he would buy used for $5K from the snap on rep who repo'd them from other shop techs who couldn't pay their bills. I'm not a tech so I only need something that will hold some tools and look nice. It will last me forever. My red 44" is at least 5 years old and still looks new. I'm using it to store hardware and other things. It was $330 back in the day.

I would have preferred full length trays at the top but for the price, I made it work.

 

[Colin Len]

I purchased it in February. 20% off coupon and bought it with a new HF credit card to get an additional 10% off. Paid off the cc right away. 30% off adds up on a large purchase.

I have a feeling the top is more cosmetic than heavy duty. Yes, steel over wood. For $134, I wasn't expecting a lot. I think it weighs about 50 lbs. I have a heavy duty workbench if I want to hammer on something. But having a top that is clean and shiny means I can put a small clean part on it, see the item and not contaminate it with dirt.

I like the box. Even shy of a grand, there's really no competition. I used to work at a Porsche shop. All the guys had $10K + boxes, except the owner. He had $15k boxes that he would buy used for $5K from the snap on rep who repo'd them from other shop techs who couldn't pay their bills. I'm not a tech so I only need something that will hold some tools and look nice. It will last me forever. My red 44" is at least 5 years old and still looks new. I'm using it to store hardware and other things. It was $330 back in the day.

I would have preferred full length trays at the top but for the price, I made it work.

Price has gone up since then unfortunately. I did the same 20% + 10% (this doesn't actually stack to be 30% off BTW, it's more like 28% or something) and ended up paying quite a bit more than you but I can't recall the amount off the top of my head. But like you mentioned, after shopping other options it doesn't seem there's really anything that gets close for the price and to get close with another box you're talking 2-3x the cost (at least!) Funny, I too have the 44" box and am upgrading to this one.

Thanks for the confirmation on the top construction. Glad to hear it feels sturdy but like you said I wouldn't have expected something too heavy duty for that price. I'm currently trying to figure out what I want to do for bench tops. I have a butcher block top on my current 44" which has been great but this Husky one is darn cheap. I know I want a combo of wood, metal, light and heavy duty surfaces but just need to figure out the details.

 

[Colin Len]

Just wanted to confirm real quick... the 56" Husky top doesn't sit right down into the top of the USG box, right? It has to sit ABOVE the lip that goes around the top of the box and that's why you added the 9/16" OSB?

 

[mepstein]

Just wanted to confirm real quick... the 56" Husky top doesn't sit right down into the top of the USG box, right? It has to sit ABOVE the lip that goes around the top of the box and that's why you added the 9/16" OSB?

Yes. Exactly right.

 

[Colin Len]

Awesome, thank you! I'm definitely leaning towards adding this to mine. Might make it a little taller than I want though. Hmm. Decisions, decisions.

 

[prone2xl]

this stainless topper is outstanding @mepstein ! I have decided on my next setup that I will have a stainless topper setting. just looks so dang clean and shiny and beautiful with that blue and silver combo! coming from a Dallas Cowboys fan this is fantastic !!! does it have much overhang ? also how did u secure it to the board underneath it ? i'm assuming that piece you spoke of just kinda made things flush for the lip of the box ? also are you in long beach? just relocated to socal from mississippi!

 

[Colin Len]

this stainless topper is outstanding @mepstein ! I have decided on my next setup that I will have a stainless topper setting. just looks so dang clean and shiny and beautiful with that blue and silver combo! coming from a Dallas Cowboys fan this is fantastic !!! does it have much overhang ? also how did u secure it to the board underneath it ? i'm assuming that piece you spoke of just kinda made things flush for the lip of the box ? also are you in long beach? just relocated to socal from mississippi!

I'm not sure how the OP attached theirs but I checked my box and it does have holes in the top (presumably for attaching one of the US general top boxes). The holes are pretty big but some fender washers or other backing material + some wood screws up into the base should do the trick. This is essentially how I have my current bench top attached to my cabinets and it works great so I suspect similar results for doing this stainless top the same way.