skulldrinker
Well-known member
I like that top storage idea. Kinda like a hutch.
Toolbox with a hutch?
- Thread starter ukvauxtech
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skulldrinker
Well-known member
Before I had my top I only had the bottom. It was nice having a workbench but It just wasn't enough room. I went and got a top, bottom , side cabinet, and side drawer. Not to mention a roller. But I'm at home now in a 2-1/2 car garage all to myself so i can put stuff anywhere...and believe me it's everywhere. LOL
crazytrain
Well-known member
I had the 44" HF top and bottom and traded it for a Snap On Classic with a hutch. I wrench in a shop daily and love having the work space. No real heavy work gets done on top of the box as thats what the workbench is for but it's nice to have the extra workspace. I can also leave tools out on top surface overnight and still lock them up if the job runs over to the next day.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126026303@N04/14918863461/ https://www.flickr.com/people/126026303@N04/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126026303@N04/14735317468/ https://www.flickr.com/people/126026303@N04/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126026303@N04/14918863461/ https://www.flickr.com/people/126026303@N04/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126026303@N04/14735317468/ https://www.flickr.com/people/126026303@N04/
I just sold both my tops a few weeks ago. I needed them (well one at the time) when I had a smaller garage but now the flat surface is priceless.
If I were in the snap on box type budget I would get a hutch over a top box.
If I were in the snap on box type budget I would get a hutch over a top box.
Art From De Leon
Well-known member
My top box (KRL-1201) is where I kept my most used tools, except for my wrenches, which were in 2 drawers in the roll cab. (KRL-1001)
I'm currently looking at pricing with that but with a vehicle that is falling apart and will be needing replacement soon I don't think I can afford that and a new truck.
quattroJoe
Well-known member
I've got a top box, but my tool chest is pretty narrow due to space constraints at my shop. Luckily there is plenty of built in bench space already there. If I was in a shop without an existing bench I'd definitely go with a wider roll cab and a stainless top, no top chest.
turbozombie
Member
I bought my Snap-On box used. That's the way to buy S-O. It's an electric green 30Wx18"D" Heritage series bottom chest and lift up top chest, $1200 bucks. The combo new would have been $2500 I think? It's been a few years so forgive me if that figure is wrong.
I had the choice between what I have and a wide chest with work top (with front graffiti graphics), they were the same price. I love the color mine is and don't regret my choice, but I would buy the wider box and get a hutch added if I were making the decision again. Like posted above, you can leave **** out and still lock up. Pros and cons to both setups.
I had the choice between what I have and a wide chest with work top (with front graffiti graphics), they were the same price. I love the color mine is and don't regret my choice, but I would buy the wider box and get a hutch added if I were making the decision again. Like posted above, you can leave **** out and still lock up. Pros and cons to both setups.
rockinacummins
Well-known member
I have 4 top boxes. Three of them on stationary stands, one small cheap craftsman on the rolling bottom. Plus the HF 44 with no top. I love the workspace... For a little while
Steevo
Well-known member
Two of mine have top boxes, and four don't.
I have a top box and I don't hate it as much as I thought I would, I got used to not having the workbench space. If I had to do it again I'd have just bought another 2 bay box and stuck it next to my current box. Next box will have a hutch or half hutch on it.
crewchief888
Well-known member
Cope
Well-known member
all 3 roller cabs in the garage have top boxes,
one also has a mid box, as well as side boxes.
26" cab in the basement also has a top box
Old school, I like it!
I have one on my toolbox. I have many workbenches in my shop, so my toolbox's floor real estate is better spent having as many tools in it as I can. Looking for a midsection to go with it as well.
There is a half inch thick steel plate between the top and bottom from when I didn't have a top chest and used the box as a bench. I should probably sell that or something.
I'm in the same boat, same boxes to but with the center section. If you were short you'd need a step ladder to see in the top.
whitetrash1
Well-known member
I'm currently in your same spot. HF 44 is full and I need more space. I'm just a home user though. Im hoping to find one of the milwaukee tops as power tools are eating space for me
TLCObsession
Well-known member
I have top boxes on both of my setups. I can't image not having them. Generally my 26" box is perpendicular to my main work bench. I normally stand at the bench and reaching over (without looking) for hand tools is how I work. Plus I like all the smaller, shallower organization.
My larger Hammerhead box also has a top box. Again most common hand tools in the top section. The bottom is all the impacts heavy tools. Its 5 feet behind me when I stand at my bench, so I can just turn around and grab what I need.
My larger Hammerhead box also has a top box. Again most common hand tools in the top section. The bottom is all the impacts heavy tools. Its 5 feet behind me when I stand at my bench, so I can just turn around and grab what I need.
K-Dog
Well-known member
I am 5' 7" in my work boots. I could not reach any thing on top of my tool box.
03silvergt
Well-known member
I had the 44" HF top and bottom and traded it for a Snap On Classic with a hutch. I wrench in a shop daily and love having the work space. No real heavy work gets done on top of the box as thats what the workbench is for but it's nice to have the extra workspace. I can also leave tools out on top surface overnight and still lock them up if the job runs over to the next day.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126026303@N04/14918863461/ https://www.flickr.com/people/126026303@N04/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126026303@N04/14735317468/ https://www.flickr.com/people/126026303@N04/
You have the same box I have. I love it. It looks different now. Theses pics ae about 3 years old
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brandyspaw
Active member
I worked for a couple of decades as a mechanic and I had top chests on my roll cabs. Even after I moved on to other jobs in the dealerships I still kept my top boxes until about the time I retired.
As of late I've moved away from the concept. I recently sold off my Snap-on KRL BelAir top and bottom and instead bought the 56" HF roll cab along with the HF 5 drawer tool cart. In my home garage with limited work bench space having the top surface of a roll cab makes a lot more sense for me.
As of late I've moved away from the concept. I recently sold off my Snap-on KRL BelAir top and bottom and instead bought the 56" HF roll cab along with the HF 5 drawer tool cart. In my home garage with limited work bench space having the top surface of a roll cab makes a lot more sense for me.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
Back in the day, I only had a top box. Then, I guess you'd call it a bench top tool box. Although it was often in the back of my car...
Now I have 2 rollers, both have top boxes. One is still that original one.
Now I have 2 rollers, both have top boxes. One is still that original one.
ftb
Well-known member
Ordered a hutch for my SO took box. At the time it looked purposeful. When it arrived I realized what an expensive mistake it was.
- My worktop area has shrunk. No more bulky items to inspect or tear down.
- My forehead is sore from bumping into the lid. I no longer can lean over something on the worktop.
My previously useful tool box has become almost unusable. I spent a lot of money on the armoured worktop and the hutch. Selling the two and putting money towards the top box is out of question. I will be thousands out of pocket (it's a 72" box).
I thought at some point of ringing SO head office and getting them involved in sorting it all out - I was p*ssed off with the situation so much.
Reading on here, many people are happy with their risers. Now my question to you my fellow happy members. What and how do you use it???
I need someone to lay it out for me. Tool organization? Do you utilize the peg board? Any pictures? I need to find use for this monstrosity. I need to understand what SO engineers had in their minds when they designed it. Please show me the way. I was almost ready to sell the whole damn thing including the box and start again.
- My worktop area has shrunk. No more bulky items to inspect or tear down.
- My forehead is sore from bumping into the lid. I no longer can lean over something on the worktop.
My previously useful tool box has become almost unusable. I spent a lot of money on the armoured worktop and the hutch. Selling the two and putting money towards the top box is out of question. I will be thousands out of pocket (it's a 72" box).
I thought at some point of ringing SO head office and getting them involved in sorting it all out - I was p*ssed off with the situation so much.
Reading on here, many people are happy with their risers. Now my question to you my fellow happy members. What and how do you use it???
I need someone to lay it out for me. Tool organization? Do you utilize the peg board? Any pictures? I need to find use for this monstrosity. I need to understand what SO engineers had in their minds when they designed it. Please show me the way. I was almost ready to sell the whole damn thing including the box and start again.
vettex2
Banned
peg board? 
buy a bench
buy a bench
GTA Matt
Well-known member
What box do you have, a krl or kra? I can see a hutch being a problem with a kra, they're not really deep nor tall enough, but a krl should have plenty of usable space. I really like mine, it houses my laptop, a spare parts/nut/bolt bin and I built a shelf of sorts to hold my scanner and a multimeter so they don't take up valuable space on the top.
I don't want to sound like a jerk but who exactly are you pissed at and why do you feel the need to co tact their corporate office? A hutch is not for everyone in the same way some people buy pickups and some buy sedans. Different strokes for different folks. I have a hutch and I'm 6'3" and have the same problem with height so I cut some solid 2" thick aluminum spacers to go between the box and casters and raised the whole thing up and it worked well.
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WittHay
Well-known member
My question is; What kind of large items do you tear down on top of a $10,000 tool box?
Jweebothee
Well-known member
me and the techs i work with use the shop benches, (we have 4) to do tear downs on, I have never worked in a shop that did not have a decent work bench to do such chores, (if you are not in a shop without a workbench, i apologize) but even in my home shop, i have a old desk i got for free to do such work,
ftb
Well-known member
peg board?
buy a bench
Merely trying to find more uses for the hutch you know?
Why would you complain to headquarters about it. No one twisted your arm right? I think your only solution is to buy a portaband and cut and channel your shins so ya stop hitting your hat rack.
Complain? Assumptions. I spent a bit of money with SO and several of their drivers and have had good experience when I need help.
KRL1023.
Thank you.
I thought of putting the whole things on blocks of timber to raise it.
A gearbox or a diff or suspension.
Good for you and apologies accepted. No bench of that kind in my shop.
People seem to assume I'm throwing dummy out of a pram but all I asked was for some examples (thanks to those who answered) and pictures.
mudflap
Well-known member
Lol.........................
mudflap
Well-known member
Most of us baby our boxes..But sometimes i think thats like not sleeping with your wife, so she can still be a virgin for her next Husband...F that...tear it up.....lol
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
The quickest thing to do is get some wood and raise the whole rollaway/hutch up to a level that your forehead clears.
TheGrooveking
TheGrooveking
mudflap
Well-known member
An have to admit ..i have tractor envy..Mines a 71, 966 But no where near as nice as yours....But she is still reliable..and getting the job done..
jfcasey
Well-known member
Is a 1022 or a 1023 honestly short to you? I've always been impressed how tall they are. A guy in our shop has a 1022 with a kra hutch and you'd have to be at least 6.5ft tall to hit your head on the top of it.
OP, I've always thought of a hutch to be used like gta Matt, it's a place to leave your computer, do paperwork, and tear down small parts. Rebuilding a transmission is a tall order to do inside a hutch.
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Teenager with old tools
Well-known member
I've always thought the same thing. Or buying a 200 pound vise just to restore and stare at it is like marrying an ex **rnstar and never having *** with her.
Op you'd think for the price they could even offer an extra tall version
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MrJason
Well-known member
I hear where you're coming from. My brother bought the hutch for his KRL.. and when it arrived, he instantly had buyers remorse.
His impression of what he was getting, was a little different than what he got.
He is a heavy line tech, specializing in axles and gear maintenance for a large fleet.
He ended up building a rolling bench, and affixed it down on top... for differential third members disassembly and reassembly.
So, I can really empathize with you here. For some the loss of bench access, works really well. For others, not so much.
Jason
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His impression of what he was getting, was a little different than what he got.
He is a heavy line tech, specializing in axles and gear maintenance for a large fleet.
He ended up building a rolling bench, and affixed it down on top... for differential third members disassembly and reassembly.
So, I can really empathize with you here. For some the loss of bench access, works really well. For others, not so much.
Jason
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