Husky provided their Pro Duty 72″ 20-drawer mobile workbench for review purposes, and I have been thoroughly using and testing it these past couple of weeks.
Home Depot’s Husky Pro Duty tool storage system offers a modern and modular mobile work station solution that’s engineered around the needs of professional and demanding users.
As such, it’s priced at a premium, at least compared to consumer storage products. Compared to the other professional tool storage systems I looked at, the Husky system seems competitively and even compellingly priced.
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I need more time to use and test it further, but I have some early thoughts you might find interesting.
To start, the mobile workbench is the heart of the Husky Pro Duty system. Husky also offers side lockers, a hutch with fold-down cover, and top lockers in two sizes.
One top locker size (72″) can be installed above the hutch, and another (63.5″) is solid in pairs for use above a full setup with the workbench and two lockers.
See the Full Husky Pro Duty System
You can start with just the workbench – which is the only part I’m testing for review – or build it into a complete system. You can also add just a top hutch or single side locker. Home Depot and Husky offer the Pro Duty system in several pre-configurated combinations, and you can purchase the components separately as well.
The cabinet I’m testing is red, and it’s also available in black. The red workbench comes with black trim, and the black workbench with silver trim. Both have a stainless steel worktop.
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The same add-on options are available in both colors.
The very first thing I noticed was how easy it was to move the workbench into position.
There are 4 locking swivel casters, with a combined load capacity of 6,000 lbs. Each caster has spring shock absorbers.
Normally, larger mobile workbenches – at least consumer models – have 6 casters.
This one has 4 swivel casters, which makes it more maneuverable. It was easier to move this into position than with other larger mobile workbenches and tool cabinets I’ve used before.
My floor is uneven in some spots. With these casters, all 4 casters touch the floor, a benefit of the shock-absorbing system and absence of middle casters.
Pull handles on both sides also made the workbench easier to move around.
The top is made from 18-gauge 304-grade stainless steel. The frame is made with 16 gauge steel, and the base frame 9 gauge.
Each drawer can support up to 220 lbs. The deeper top drawer and deep bottom drawers have double pairs of drawer slides and 400 lb load ratings.
Husky equipped the workbench with a Kwikset SmartKey system, which allows for easy rekeying multiple locks to the same Kwikset key.
There are two locks – one for the main section, and another for the right side bank of drawers.
There’s a 6-outlet plus 2 USB power strip on the right side.
All of that sounds good on paper. In reality, it does provide for a more premium user experience. The drawers feel to be of very high quality – they don’t rack or sag, and open and close smoothly.
The soft close feature is a convenience, and also provides some closed drawer retention strength, which is typical.
The 20 drawers are a dream, and can fit much more tools than the Husky 62″ tool cabinet that previously occupied this space.
I wasn’t quite expecting the workbench to be as large as it is; this is not a workbench as much as it is a workstation. This fits well with how I use tool cabinets and chests.
I typically place tools, parts, workshop equipment, and other things on top of a mobile workbench. There are times when I clear the tops for heavy parts or equipment.
The Husky Pro Duty workbench measures 72″ wide x 24.6″ deep x 44.2″ tall. The outgoing 62″ workbench measured 24.1″ deep and 38.1″ tall.
The storage volume belies its actual size and capacity. The 62″ cabinet is described as providing 31,721 cubic inches of storage volume, while this 72″ cabinet is said to have 34,326 cubic inches of storage volume.
While a roughly 10% difference doesn’t sound like a lot on paper, I can fit a lot more tools due to the drawer count and dimensions.
The first cabinet shipped to me (shown on its pallet, above) with handling damage – it seems someone rammed the box with a fork lift – but the second was perfect.
I didn’t photograph the actual damage, but one of the drawers and part of the frame were crumpled inwards. A replacement drawer wouldn’t have fixed the damage.
Always unwrap steel storage products with the freight driver still there. It’s quicker to refuse a delivery than to arrange for return pickup, although I would add that Home Depot’s customer service has been great about refusals and returns over the years.
With how the test sample was arranged, the return and replacement was done via Home Depot customer service. I called their Pro Xtra phone number, and they were able to sort everything out rather quickly.
The workbench has a net weight of 788 lbs, and gross weight of 851 lbs. Setup is easy, especially since the casters are installed at the factory.
The mobile workbench has a retail price of $3498. If you add on two side lockers, a top hutch, and two top lockers, the total price would be $8990. The Pro Duty system is covered by Husky’s Lifetime Warranty.
Is it worth it? That’s of course the question to ask, as this cost much more than consumer tool storage products.
The Husky Pro Duty roller cabinet has the heaviest gauge frame of any tool storage cabinet of this size I’ve tested before, and the heaviest duty ball bearing drawers I’ve ever used. It’s a solution to demanding tool storage and organizational needs, and exists in the space between consumer and industrial products.
So far, I think that Husky did a fantastic job – the design, construction, and quality have all impressed me.
Yes, you can get slightly smaller and considerably less expensive roller cabinets with similar drawer counts. But, the difference between 220 lb (or 400 lbs doubled up) drawer slides and 100 lb drawer slides is something you can feel when opening and closing a drawer loaded with tools.
Mobile workbenches, tool cabinets, and tool chests of this caliber – and price – are intended for heavier users that are in and out of their tool boxes daily.
Husky’s “standard duty” 72″ ball bearing tool cabinet is constructed with a 21 gauge steel frame. This Husky Pro Duty mobile workbench has a 16 gauge frame and 9 gauge steel base frame. 16 gauge steel is 82% thicker than 21 gauge steel.
Husky’s 72″ standard duty mobile workbench has 6 casters and can support up to 1800 lbs. This Pro Duty model has 4 casters and can support up to 6000 lbs.
Overall, the Husky Pro Duty workbench is stronger and built for more demanding use, even if you don’t plan to load it up with 3 tons of tools and equipment in and on top of it.
Husky offers top hutches and side lockers for their standard and heavy duty mobile workbenches, but the Pro Duty system is the only line where you can have a top hutch, side lockers, and top cabinets.
A fully equipped Pro Duty setup, with hutch, 2 side lockers, and 2 top cabinets, measures a whopping 127″ long x 94″ tall x 25″ wide. That’s more than 10 feet long and nearly 8 feet tall.
I was eager to test the mobile workbench as a standalone product as a representative sample of the Husky Pro Duty system.
There are some areas where more attention could have been paid, such as how the welded vertical dividers have visible seams, or how the corner guards are rather plain. But we’re talking about cosmetic nitpicking that I didn’t notice until I started looking for compromises and imperfections.
I generally prefer wood-topped tool cabinets and workbenches, and this only comes with a 304 stainless steel top. However, given its 44.2″ height, I have been using and testing it as a work station rather than a workbench.
Stainless steel is resistant to common chemicals and easy to clean. After using it, and placing things on top that I never think of with a wood worktop, I’m glad I didn’t have the opportunity to choose otherwise.
The added height can allow for precision work, but I have been taking most work to a shorter workbench.
If this tool cabinet were to be a permanent addition to my workshop, I might plan to remove some wall cabinets and add the top hutch and upper cabinet in the future. I could definitely make use of the side lockers, but sadly I’d never have the space.
I didn’t explore whether a vise could be added, as the height of the worktop is not ideal for this.
So far, the Pro Duty tool cabinet has exceeded my expectations, which I had based on positive past experiences with Husky standard and heavy duty tool storage products.
I had intended to only temporarily adjust my workspace to accommodate the size of the Husky Pro Duty mobile tool chest, but I’m liking it far more than I had anticipated.
I still plan to donate the sample, but extended the testing timetable.
It’s not that the Pro Duty workbench is a joy to use, but that it delivers an invisible experience, melting into the background of things.
Do you know the feeling when you upgrade from a tool that frustrates you, to one that doesn’t? This is like going from pliers that you can never really break in to ones that are smooth and effortless to use. Or, it’s like upgrading from a drill or impact driver that can only drive certain fasteners 90% flush, to ones that perfectly seat fasteners every time.
The Husky Pro Duty line is built far better than average consumer ball bearing storage products. Side by side, the differences are apparent.
Is there a difference in the smoothness of the drawers? Yes. Is there a difference if a drawer can hold 100, 220, or 400 lbs if you’re only loading it with 50 lbs of tools? Yes. Does it matter to you? That’s a question you’ll have to answer.
The biggest surprise to me is in how much I’m enjoying configuring the 20 drawers to my needs. It’s going to hurt when it’s time to give this cabinet up.
I think Husky did a great job with the Pro Duty system so far, and hope they expand upon it.
With respect to the price, $3498 seems very competitive for what you get. This sounds like a lot of money compared to products built for consumer needs, but it’s the floor when talking about storage aimed at automotive, professional, and industrial users.
Thank you to Husky and Home Depot for providing the test sample for review. Husky is not an active sponsor, but has partnered with ToolGuyd within the past 12 months.
Peelman
it uses Kwikset keys?! jesus, i wish more manufacturers would figure this out. barrel keys and all those short no-name, un-rekeyable things can get bent (pun intended).
Stuart
Yes – Kwikset SmartKey.
blocky
I agree. imo, on value-oriented tool chests, they should just leave off the feature entirely.
Stuart
Why?
It’s good to lock up tool chests and cabinets when moving them.
An easily rekeyed lock is a premium feature. Having basic locks on lower priced tool cabinets is still better than not having any lock.
Bonnie
Those cheap barrel locks seem even less useful than a simple clasp and a dollar-store master lock.
Stuart
Tool chest locks have mechanisms that extend to the rear, mechanically locking all drawers in a bank in one motion with a key. It’s quick and usually easy, and unobtrusive.
Some boxes have a lockbar that’s placed in front of all drawers and then secured with a padlock, but typically only the cheapest consumer products or premium industrial where visual security confirmation is required.
MM
The idea of Kwikset Smartkey makes sense. Kwikset KW1 profile is probably the most common profile key in North America used not only by Kwikset but by others who copied the same shape. Having the ability to easily have your toolbox take the same key as your front door makes a lot of sense.
However, in my experience the Smartkey locks are junk quality, low security, and they don’t even work all that reliably. Granted the average toolbox doesn’t need an Abloy Protec2 but a lock that works smoothly and reliably is essential.
Bruce
Given that tool check keys are absolutely about keeping your co-workers from ‘borrowing’ your tools, kwikset is an excellent choice. They are generally pretty low security in comparison to better lock systems, but perfect for this application. No more worrying about getting matching key sets for your tool chest products purchased at different times. I like it.
Sco Deac
My dad always said that tool box locks are designed to keep honest people out.
JoeM
…I think, feel free to correct me if I don’t get this correct, there was a Milwaukee version of this that you were looking into, Stuart. Review or personal use, I don’t remember exactly.
But I found it really interesting when another ToolGuyd poster mentioned they had brought one into their nursery at home, to use as a changing table. With all the drawers and cabinets, it proved perfect for storing absolutely everything needed for taking care of the baby. In fact, I think I got extremely excited when someone other than myself mentioned using things “Outside the Box” so to speak. It’s something I do all the time, and the uses for a lot of tool system cabinets like this aren’t limited to just the tool shop areas of one’s life.
If this one is made, even slightly, in the same vein of the other one, I would expect this one to get an absolutely glowing score. I’m not saying they don’t go bad, or that one can’t be made wrong… I just mean that some designs for these are universal because they’re infinitely useful. This gives them a huge benefit over other brands’ decisions not to make a particular design like this. I can think of a few “Harbor Freight” cabinet designs that have had a lot of backlash from some of the ToolGuyd posters, due to quality control issues as well as lacking the design features of a standard like this one.
I’m not normally for Husky, or other US Big Box brands, but in all honesty I am not positive this one can really go wrong. It’s a relatively standard design, tried, tested, and true. So… short of a quality control issue on this exact workbench, how can one find faults in it without an extremely close inspection of every fastener and sheet of metal, looking for defects?
Stuart
No – Milwaukee never offered tool storage products of this grade.
The question isn’t about finding faults, but about determining what you get for 2.5X to 3X the price of 72″ tool cabinets designed for consumers shopping for home use, and making sense of how on-paper specs translate to real-world and in-use benefits and user experiences.
None of what you get here are standard on the tool storage products you can find at home centers – not the heavy duty shock-absorbing casters, the 220 lb drawer slides, or frame construction of this strength and rigidity.
JoeM
Okay. Definitely not the one I was thinking of then. Though, I was regarding the general design as standard, across brands that make them. I think the relatively common shortcuts of what grade they fit in are definitely something Tool Folk like all of us would consider before purchase. I’m glad you corrected me on that point, because it did remind me of that factor! You got my back on that one, Stuart, Thanks! (Insert Smiley Emoji that I don’t know how to do on the site.)
Aside from grading, it does appear to be just like the one I’m remembering as a baby’s change table to another user on ToolGuyd. In that sense, I think we can agree that, even if it isn’t worth daily rough use with tools, it is certainly not useless for other things.
Y’know… a tiny veer off topic for the Article, but along the lines of my thought about alternate uses… Many of these garage sets of cabinets would make a very attractive, perhaps humourous, Dinette Set. Hutch, Buffet, Table and Chairs, all themed like a garage. It’s not exactly “Pretty” but these big cabinets are far from being “Ugly” as a whole… I’m definitely Utilitarian in my tastes, so the versatility of garage storage would actually suit my style better than overly ornate furniture. Don’t know if anyone else would agree for their favourite brand, but I do find the tool industry is much better at providing ample space and sorting capacity for large furniture-sized cabinets like this one.
Maybe I’m just taking the “Form Follows Function” ethic a bit far on this. Dunno. I just like the general versatility, I think.
Stuart
Realistically, there are no household applications for something of this size and cost. $500 roller cabs are popularly adapted for household and kitchen use due to their value.
I avoid sharing about most of the adapted uses and “hacks” I see online because there are inherent liabilities. A rolling cab can – in theory – be used as a changing table or dresser, but not furniture for a toddler or small child due to the tip-over hazard. Furniture above a certain height should be secured to the wall, and kitchen islands should be anchored to the floor.
Xrh07
Milwaukee chests are light-medium duty.
And definitely aren’t built as heavy as 56-72″ U.S. Gens.
Icons are also built heavier than Husky Pro at the same price point.
JoeM
I’m living in a tiny apartment, I can’t use anything that big to start with. But, given the chance, and the choice, I’d rather go with the DeWALT Yellow and Black permanent storage for my tools. Keep TSTAK off to the side for when I gotta move the tools I need for a task.
Just a personal thing on this. A lot of people would find this a bad idea, but I think of storage differently. I think of all my work and living spaces differently. Mostly because… to be honest… My life and my skills overlap so often, keeping my tools much farther than a few feet away is just inconvenient for me. If I had a whisk, or stirring spoon, that I could chuck into my drill or impact driver, I would absolutely own that. If there was a way to closer connect my tools to the rest of my life, I would take that route in a heartbeat. I’ve never truly been a normal type of tool user.
But I do appreciate what you mean here! What I was thinking about was definitely not a Milwaukee, I was simply remembering another user’s use of a rolling cabinet like this for his baby’s change table. I found it quite ingenius!
Robert
JoeM, maybe this is the solution for you SDS whisk and stirring spoons.
Robert
Helps if I give the URL
https://www.instructables.com/Making-Cooking-More-Fun-by-Adding-Power-Tools/
Franco
” I’d rather go with the DeWALT Yellow and Black permanent storage for my tools”….the Dewalt is not in the same class as this Husky.
Based on the specs and comments from Stuart and the price of the Husky, this is in the Snap On and other truck tool brands, as well as the many other non truck based, but priced and aimed at the pro category.
TomD
Heh I’m the one with a Milwaukee in the bathroom as a changing table. That thing is so heavy duty I simply can’t imagine what this one must be like. The Milwaukee is about 1/3 the price and perfectly fine for what we’re doing with it.
One thing I do notice is that many rolling toolboxes don’t ever roll again once they’re in place. It’d be interesting to hear from people who actually move theirs a lot – airplane mechanics perhaps.
Kilroy
I use a rolling Husky tool cart as the “cat station”, to hold cat food, litter, & related non-toy accessories.
Works well, and provides a small surface on top to use when filling the cat’s bowls.
fred
I wonder who HD went to for the OEM on these. They certainly look to be a step up from some of the other Husky toolboxes. The UPC (873388014590) doesn’t provide much in the way of clues. My guess is that it might be Tool Vault – but their 72 inch cabinet sports 6 casters:
https://toolvault.net/product/tool-vault-elite-72-17-drawer-tool-cabinet/
Pond Boss
Country of origin? Just asking because this is a almost six figure investment
Stuart
Imported – I believe China.
DRT42
Maybe I would get used to it, but my instant reaction is that I don’t like the drawer layout. The top drawer is too deep, and likely so are the bottom drawers. I like lots of smaller drawers so I can see everything immediately. I don’t store circular saws or large stuff like that – I store mechanics tools and I don’t want them getting lost in a giant jumble of junk.
Ironically, I am looking at getting another tool cabinet in the very near future. But I don’t think it will be this one.
Stuart
I used to think the same, but then started keeping more bulkier tools, cordless power tools, batteries, and the like.
The outgoing Husky had a lot of shallow drawers, which I loved, but I find I like having a deep drawer on top and bottom.
A top deep drawer is traditionally used for storing deep sockets in vertical organizers. It can also be used for pliers racks and other space-saving holders. The length allows for tools such as long breaker bars and pry bars.
Peter
Recently getting a tool chest that was my first issue as well. Drawers that are not deep or wide enough. Yet I filled the tool chest anyway so more than anything I should have gotten a tool chest long ago. When you’re poor you don’t even consider things you don’t absolutely need
Stuart
There are plenty of storage options when on a very tight budget. If you have a smaller tool cabinet or chest with narrow drawers, you can always equip it with a side-mounting accessory (DIY or store bought) for holding longer pry bars and breaker bars vertically.
When money is the limiting factor, there are plenty of value options and solutions. When time and effort are more valuable, that’s when more premium priced solutions coming into play.
Nathan
So having not been in the market for one this size ever. Nor owning something of this size. How does it compare to snapon and Mac or Waterloo?
I could see Waterloo being a potential oem
Looks good but I would think the hutch and other add-ons remove the attractiveness of the casters
fred
Could be Waterloo – but most of their offerings (either their own or branded as Craftsman, Kobalt etc.) usually bear UPC’s starting with 721615
Stuart
Leagues better than any Waterloo box I’ve used or seen.
I can’t compare against Snap-on.
I’d say it’s at least competitive against the Harbor Freight Icon line.
ToolGuyDan
At one point, you use the verb “betrays”. Based on the subsequent context, the correct word would be “belies”.
Stuart
Thanks! You’re right – *fixed*.
Betray can mean “to prove false.”
Belies – to fail to prove the true impression of something.
The actual storage volume betrays its cubic capacity specs. But the way I wrote it, the capacity spec belies the true storage capacity.
Either way, oops.
ToolGuyDan
Right, it’s quite the subtlety. Because the storage capacity is not proving an actual falsehood—that is, because Husky’s stated capacity is in fact accurate—we can’t use “betrays”, lest we thereby state that some falsehood is indeed being uncovered.
In related news: English is a terrible language. I’m always flabbergasted when I meet anyone who has successfully learned it. For anyone reading this who thinks English isn’t all that hard to learn, check out this hidden rule that you’ve been following your whole life: what makes the sentence, “Give me the general-purpose, blue, thin, new, wonderful book of grammar on that shelf,” sound so awkward, whereas “Give me the wonderful, new, thin, blue, general-purpose book of grammar on that shelf,” rolls off the tongue by comparison?
Jeremiah
I’ve been looking at this set for about a year now. While it is pricey compared to the other Husky lines, it is worth the money.
The good thing about Husky is that thry offer 3 different levels of boxes Herr, this one being theor newest, as well as highest quality.
Price wise, this is not really for the home use, diy guy. However, I have noticed one very important issue. If you plan on getting the largest set-up they offer, you may as well go ahead and purchase it all together. Reason being, if you start with the centerpiece tool chest and then add all of the individual pieces, it comes to $10,438. If you buy it all at once, it is only $8,999. Of course these are before any ProXtra or Mil discounts one may or may not be able to get. Even if you have a super high interest rate, I don’t see you paying almost $1,500 in interest over time.
Stuart
If you’re not in a rush, some of the components have been on sale.
The workbench is normally $3500. It went on sale twice for $3000 as deals of the day, and then went to $4000 for a little bit before coming back down to $3500.
If the price drops within the return period, you can contact Home Depot for an adjustment.
Rollover
Used modular cabinets make much better toolboxes for a fraction of the cost. They have 25″ deep drawers and are rated for 400 pounds per drawer. You can put any size (depth) drawer in any location. Vidmar, Lista and Lyon are the major brands. Put 2 on a frame with wheels, make a top and you’ll never go back to toolboxes.
Saulac
Nick picking, I want to see longer mounting bolts on the casters, in the last pict.
Bob
Quality, repair parts, product support, residual value are all less than a mainstream brand. My biggest gripe with off brand storage of this price point is resale value is non existent compared to truck brands yet your paying 7/8th the cost of the “good” brand. I am constantly seeing nearly new used truck brand boxes on the classified sites for 2/3 cost. Even 20 year old boxes in good condition are holding decent value. If you decide xyz mechanic trade is not for you, no one is buying this husky or icon or Montezuma or ETC box for more than a few hundred bucks. I agree with previous poster mac, snap on, vidmar, lista, are a known quantity and the value is always there.
Obviously this is not important to everyone. If your 20 years into a career you know what you need and don’t need. Still the money saved over a higher end cabinet vs residual value or lack there of on a off brand doesn’t add up. Or put another way it’s not cheap enough to be worth the hassle of dealing with the off brand problems. Quality, repair parts, product support, residual value.
I am not tied to the truck brands. In fact I think their easy credit schemes are a bit predatory. But I know the known quantity products will hold value.
MM
I’m not sure if this is universally true but the 3 Snap-On dealers I’ve dealt with have all offered 100% of *current value* trade-in credit on used boxes if you are upgrading, and that is honestly incredible value.
For example, my main toolbox is a 54″ KRL series roll cab. I paid about $2k for it nearly 20 years ago. Currently those boxes list for $7999–and they offered me that full amount as trade-in credit if I wanted to buy a bigger box.
Bob
Holy smokes! I have a 1990’s vintage Matco I bought for super cheap I’d be tempted to trade it for a new box with this kind of trade in deal.
eddie sky
Wow. If I were starting a side business or hobby that could make some money, this is way less than Snapon/MacTools offerings.
But seriously, HD, if you are going to offer to ship/deliver, its another $20 in lumber to protect from low-wage pallet jack jockeys. Right?
Stuart
I only once received a tool box from any maker that was fully crated, and its shipping size was far larger due to an air gap on all sides.
It’s not just $20 in lumber – full crating would increase their container capacity with respect to overseas shipping, warehouse storage space, and freight to the customer.
All of that would mean higher costs that most consumers wouldn’t be eager to pay.
Franco
A consumer could definitely buy one of these, like they could buy a Snap On, but that is not what HD has aimed this at.
The model Stuart has is $3500 and the pic of the full black workstation is $9000. This is aimed at the pro who is looking at Snap On, Matco, Proto, or the higher end stuff you find at Strictly Tool Boxes. This is definitely above the US General boxes.
I haven’t shopped in that category, but my guess is that they are trying to offer a comparable product, but at a better price.
From the pictures and Stuart’s specs and description, they look very nice. We’ll have to wait and see if these catch on with the intended market.
Frank
Tools in Action has the big one. It looks amazing. Great post.