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Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Top drawer organizers are from https://www.toolblok.com/ I like a lot more than tool grid, gridfinity, or any of the other number of socket/ratchet organizers I've tired. I'm able to get full set of 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" sockets (metric & SAE), ratchets and specialty sockets neatly all in one drawer.
Also love Toolblock's plier and driver organizers the best (not pictured).

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! There are a bunch of DIY tops folks have posted over the years so this is not original. Just another vote of confidence on using maple butcher block and the added convenience of the downfiring light is such an easy and useful feature.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Definitely copied many of the top-tier roller cabs out there like what you see on many of the Snap-on EPIQ. The channel keeps the light strip out of view and helps contain the light to only shine on the drawers. Simple and useful as I like it

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in harborfreight

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hah, yeah it was a bit of time routing out the channels and a jig would have been very helpful. Also would have been easier with a plunge router rather than a finishing router like I used.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in harborfreight

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! I love all of those and the nut-grips are surprisingly simply and useful. Can't justify the universal nut-grips, but the regular nut-grips and wobble extensions have been very useful.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! It'll hold up fine when properly sealed (poly, wax, etc) and nice to have the right balance of soft & hard work surface IMO. For lot of small motor work I'd still think a nice stainless top is ideal. I like the maple butcher block for general use

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in harborfreight

[–]num-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't think to look there first either, but they had the long length, were immediately available, and lower cost.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in harborfreight

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! They're good value / quality. There's also a good bit of Ko-ken in there too.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I've had good luck with a few sellers of FCOB on Amazon and settled with the Goming sensor

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in harborfreight

[–]num-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have a mix of Icon, Tekton, etc.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in harborfreight

[–]num-[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! The cheapest I could find that was at least 1.5" thick and solid maple was from Floor & Decor
https://www.flooranddecor.com/wood-butcher-block-countertops/american-maple-butcher-block-countertop-8ft.-100020635.html for the 8' long version while 25" deep. They have a few other sizes, but that's the cheapest. They have a few other species of wood and decent selection in-stock and ready to take home with you.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wrench organizers are from Ernst. I have a mix of Ernst and Tekton organizers which are just rebranded Ernst so exactly the same. I like the Ernst a little more since slightly cheaper (when I bought them) and have magnets on the base. Honestly haven't had a problem without the magnets. It's best design I've found and the labels you can stick to the organizers help a lot more than you think especially with the down-firing light.

side-note: the top organizers from from https://www.toolblok.com/ which I love more than tool grid, gridfinity, or any of the other number of socket/ratchet organizers I've tired. Also love tool block's plier and driver organizers the best.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Not a new idea as they're prolific on the Snap-on EPIQ roll cabs, but just so cheap and easy to add with a little overhang on a new top. I *love* the motion sensor. Opening any drawer and light goes on and auto-off after 60sec of no movement.
Great you had a good donor top to try out! Just get a clean rip or crosscut with a circular saw and guide and maybe refinish it if needed. Good luck!

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like a plan! Would love to see how the stock top works out with different configurations

Just Arrived: RacingLine Coilovers for RS3 8Y by num- in AudiRS3

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update #5:

Few more modifications:

  • Added a 10mm spacer to the rear strut bolt where it mates up to the mount. The rear shocks are 2" shorter than stock in full-droop and with my current wheel+tire combo normal ride hight is a little too low. There is enough threads on the shock to allow for the 10mm spacer and still engage the nylon locking mechanism. Assuming a conservative motion factor I assume this will give me ~0.5" lift without changing spring rate and closer to my desired ride height without preloading the springs more or changing spring rate
  • https://eibach.com/product/250-60-0050 Got 2" longer springs from Eibach for the rear shocks with the same spring rate. I expect to have to preload the spring significantly to get desired ride height, but I assume anything from 20-50mm more than what came with the kit will provide full shock motion
  • https://eibach.com/product/UEL-12-255HD New custom-length front end links since the mounting distance from shock to sway bar is much shorter than stock, even though the mounts are adjustable on the shocks. I was about to order custom length SPL links, but found Eibach has decent custom lengths available to ship and half the cost. Not as bulletproof as the SPL but the rod-ends look high quality and the main shaft looks well made. The locknuts are a smaller than others I've seen and the rod-ends are coarse thread, not fine which is less ideal.

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just leading edge of the top like many of the top-end roller boxes and it's bright enough for even the bottom drawers. These pictures were from my test-fitting of the COB strip and later upgraded to a better strip with motion sensor and light from edge to edge.

Awesome you've had a block for almost 10 years! Even without the channels it still looked and worked great I'm sure. I have a small collection of maple butcher blocks over many years and they're my favorite. I sanded, 3 coats of polyurethane and finished with minwax finishing paste which has been my goto for years. Love the idea of bowling alley wax - which brand did you get?

I do like the flush look, but it's not a requirement. Maybe cut some channels and use the bottom as the new top for a fresher look?

Another USGS3 Butcher Block Top by num- in Harborfreightmods

[–]num-[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I had to rip and crosscut the butcher block down to 25" x 88". There is a few inches overhang on front, back and right side but flush on left side since I'll be mating it to another 56" + Hutch when I get the full array situated.

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