Toolbox top alternative

[amoney90]

Hey all, I'm kinda new to this site but I've fallen in love with it. I've been working in the automotive field for about 2 1/2 years now. I have a snap on krl722 toolbox that I work out of every day, and I wanted a work surface for it but didn't want to shell out $500+ for a snap on wood top or ss top. So I talked to my dad about it (he's a finish carpenter) and with the help of this site I decided to have him make one.

Anyway, it turned out really good and he's thinking about making some to sell them if theres enough interest. I'm looking for some additional add on ideas of somethings you always wanted on your box to go with the work surface. Mine has a metal plate placed in it for heavy duty hammering or anything of that nature. Here is a picture of mine, and thanks for any ideas you may have!

 

[jjjrmx5]

Looks great.

What kind of wood did you end up using? Maple? Poplar? Oak?

And what did you use for your finish stain and final wood finish coat/sealer?

Small rubber mat in a corner of the top for putting greasy things like cv joints or brake calipers/ things that leak solvents/brake fluids/atf fluid that may damage the wood finish would be my only suggestion. That suff will eat thru car paint as well as any polyurethane or wood finish I have found.

 

[toolmaker1]

looks like cherry ?

 

[jjjrmx5]

looks like cherry ?

LOL.

That's why stain is so popular. Ever price cherry wood in 3/4, 4/4 or 5/4 planks?

Even better than oak would be ash. It's what they make baseball bats with . Hmmmm. Hard as %$#@. I have a top out of it and love it.

Then there's always ironwood---
EDIT: Ooops-looks like you found it.

 

[amoney90]

It is made of ipe (pronounced ee-pay). here's some more information on it.

http://www.ipefurniture.com/whatisipe.asp

 

[jjjrmx5]

It is made of ipe (pronounced ee-pay). here's some more information on it.

http://www.ipefurniture.com/whatisipe.asp

Ironwood FTW.

I know a few folks that looked into that as replacement decking on thier homes.

LMK how it holds up.

Solvents and impact blows are the enemy if finished.

 

[Neodogg]

where is the drink coaster! you're going to leave rings on that nice top!

 

[PCO6]

LOL.

That's why stain is so popular. Ever price cherry wood in 3/4, 4/4 or 5/4 planks?

Even better than oak would be ash. It's what they make baseball bats with . Hmmmm. Hard as %$#@. I have a top out of it and love it.

Then there's always ironwood---
EDIT: Ooops-looks like you found it.

Bats and traditional lacrosse sticks too along with hickory.

 

[Hammer1963]

Nice looking set-up. I like the addition of the Steel service. I too have something similar that I use. Having a work surface is a life saver. I can't see me going back to a top box.

 

[onthemoney]

Hey amoney90, thanks for posting this !
(For everyone else...I'm Dad)
Just to add some info;
This is kind of a prototype in material and design. Looking for any imput to improve future work tops.
Like amoney said it's made out of ipe. Ipe is a super hard ,super durable hard wood.(how hard? it used up a router bit relieving area for steel plate, a drum sander belt used to sand it and bent two chisel tips squaring up the corners in the relief!) Kinda like Ironwood. Pretty heavy too!
It is used around here for high end decks and outdoor (mostly)furniture.
I finished it with mineral oil only. No stain.....this is what butcher blocks are finished with. It will semi seal the wood and help to keep it clean, and can be re- applied to clean up the finish and help preserve it.
I'm looking to offer an alternative to the stainless steel and maple hardwood tops with more options.....ie. a wide variety of appropriate hardwood, personalized lazer etching, recessed steel plate (like the one I made in the pic) and...??? any ideas for options would be greatly appreciated !
Thanks again amoney90,
onthemoney

 

[amoney90]

where is the drink coaster! you're going to leave rings on that nice top!

thats the kind of idea we were looking for, a cup holder recessed area was mentioned, also maybe a built in clip board or R.O. sorter might be useful, I've also thought about maybe a creeper hanger off to one side. If anyone would be interested in one of these or has some input on this go ahead and post, all help is appreciated.