When Husky asked if I wanted to review their 62″ mobile workbench as part of our paid partnership with Home Depot, I had some reservations.
The configuration looked very interesting, and I was very curious to see if it would meet my needs, as I tend to be very opinionated and demanding when it comes to tool storage solutions.
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Would the adjustable height mechanism be useful? Would it be wobbly? What about the drawer lengths? Depths?
This 62″ tool cabinet has 14 drawers, mot of them shallow. How would this fit in with my various needs?
Before I could answer all that – how would delivery go? I typically dread tool cabinet and other freight deliveries given the potential for damage and lengthy frustrations that could follow.
However, despite the wooden base being beat up a little by forklift operators (I don’t think a pallet jack could do this), the Husky tool cabinet arrived perfectly intact.
As for the drawer configurations, I really like it!
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Since I’ve been treating this as a loaner (I typically donate tool storage test samples), I have been experimenting with different layout configurations and have not yet settled on a long-term arrangement. (That’s why this drawer is empty.)
I am more a fan of narrow shallow drawers, but this cabinet is arranged in more of a 1:2 configuration. And… it works.
I have one drawer home to 4 different wrench sets – inch and metric combination and ratcheting combination wrenches, and there’s room for some other accessories in there. In the drawer shown here, I have room for a couple of socket sets, hand tools, long accessories, right angle clamps, and a bit organizer box, and with space for more.
Here’s a look at all of the drawer dimensions. As you can see, there are a couple of 2″ drawers (3), a lot of 3″ drawers (9), a 10″ drawer, and a 6.8″ drawer.
Right now, I have the larger drawers filled with cordless power tools and some bulky dust collection accessories.
The DIY cabinets I took apart and moved to make space for this cabinet had 2″, 4″, and 6″ drawers. I’m looking to build a new cordless power tool battery cabinet, but aside from that everything moved into this cabinet with ease.
If you have a lot of bulky tools, you might want to look at one of Husky’s other tool cabinets, this one is really aimed towards hand tools and other shallower items. Keep in mind that most of the drawers are 2″ and 3″ deep.
As you tell from the top image and description, the cabinet has an adjustable height table top.
I actually made use of this feature a couple of times, when I needed to clamp something down the to the table top, and it worked out quite well.
I was worried it would be wobbly or somehow less sturdy than a solid-top workbench would be, and found my concerns to be unfounded.
You can raise the top, and in doing so also uncover a little more internal storage spaces, or leave it down, which is how I have it most days.
There’s a power strip with USB charging ports, and this isn’t something I typically make use of, but it can be convenient.
Husky equipped this cabinet with 5″ all-swivel casters (4 locking), and this makes moving the cabinet a cinch – or as easy as moving a 62″ x 24″ mobile workbench can be be. The all-swivel casters means I can push it into position without needing a lot of side clearance.
I have another tool cabinet to the right of this Husky, and stacks of wood to the left. If this had fixed wheels anywhere, even if just the middle, I would not have been able to move the cabinet in and out of its space. A cabinet like this won’t see a lot of traveling, but I’m happy with how it moves.
Lastly, one thing I’ve come to appreciate are the 120 lb full extension soft-close drawer slides. The deep bottom drawers have double slides for 240 lb weight capacity (each). I typically don’t like wider drawers because they can be a drag to open and close (literally), but I haven’t thought twice about that with this cabinet.
So far, my experiences have been quite positive. The only negative thought I had about this cabinet was when I moved everything over into this tool box and found myself wishing for a single 4″ drawer. However, that sentiment quickly passed when I saw how many hand tools and misc. workshop accessories I could cram into this thing.
I’m working on a mobile workbench with bulk storage, and that will likely handle my deeper storage needs, such as holding larger 15-cell cordless power tool batteries and accessories such as a router table coping sled.
Although my drawer configurations are still a bit in limbo, I could not be more pleased with this setup.
If it doesn’t work for you, Husky has quite a few other models, such as a 72″ mobile workbench with deep extra-wide top drawer.
Price: $1019
This is the matte black version, with 2,500 lb weight capacity and 19 gauge construction. If you prefer a different color or are on a tighter budget, you can get 21 gauge cabinets in several other color options for $849.
Thank you Husky for supplying the test unit. The review sample was also provided as part of a paid partnership with Home Depot.
Aaron S
Thats not a workbench, its a lifestyle! I hope for your sake that this is a long term review.
You should rig something up so you can do the height adjustments using a power drill.
Stuart
I actually misplaced the crank and used an L-wrench to raise it for the photo, but you’re right in that it can also be raised or lowered with a cordless tool. I just need to pick up an appropriately sized hex bit or bit socket.
There are no conditions as to how long to keep it for, but the plan is to eventually donate all storage products. For personal use, this would absolutely be a keeper.
Brandon B.
I really like the lift-top; not so much to use as a workbench but to make it really easy to bolt tools down. I could see this being a good spot to keep tools that see a lot of metalwork (benchtop drill press, grinder, vise). Any chance you can get a vise on here and let us know how the benchtop’s substructure is able to withstand the racking and twisting involved when all that leverage is applied? =)
Jared
That looks awesome. I would love something like that for my hand tools. I am constantly reorganizing because I can’t fit everything into one of my units. Shallow wide drawers would work great for me – the only concern might be fitting pliers up on their edge in a rack. Might fit – I’m just not sure (although I could probably skip that and lie flat with drawers that size).
The worktop… hmm. It’s interesting. Converts that unit into a nice work spot. I’m on the fence whether I’d use it a lot or not. It’s cool though!
Scott K
I’d love to eventually get something like this for tool storage. The amount of stuff you can fit in these is amazing – especially when you have a really small workspace.
frampton
The word is that they have mastered the adjustable height thing. The benches have become very popular with the standing desk crowd, in lieu of the motorized height-adjustable desk.
Kane
Height adjustability is a factor for work ergonomics. If a user is more comfortable at a different work height, they are less strained/fatigued, which in turn means better productivity and less liability to the company.
Wayne R.
I spent some time recently in an office where every cube was equipped with a motorized height adjustment, and just like in cars, that adjustment was largely used just one time.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yeah, I could see that feature used more in workshops than in offices. But the one time I could’ve used it, I wanted the bench to get lower, not higher.
bwh
I hate the over reliance on shallow drawers. Too often you cant fit a deadblow hammer, or a drill bit index, or anything other than a flat pair of pliers or wrenches.
I’m not talking about the need for super deep drawers for power tools, but basic hand tools and accessories seldom fit in many of these boxes because of how shallow the drawers are.
Stuart
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdNlHajy2e/?igshid=nuwdf2l650hc
Fits my standard dead blows just fine, and I can test with larger ones later.
bwh
Only the center drawers or your bottom left drawers. Top left are too shallow.
That’s a big problem on many of HDs new chests.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Heavy-Duty-72-in-W-18-Drawer-Deep-Tool-Chest-Mobile-Workbench-in-Matte-Black-with-Adjustable-Height-Hardwood-Top-HOLC7218BB1MYS/302255876
8 of the drawers in that example are too shallow and will barely fit a drillbit index from Dewalt/Milwaukee unless you lay it open or remove the liner. With liner it will drag the bit index case on the bottom of the other drawer. Similar problem with holesaws.
They added drawers to increase the amount of tools you COULD fit. It gives them a bigger number for potential capacity rather than actual capacity.
Stuart
I tested it now, and my Dewalt 29pc drill bit set fits just fine, and the same with Milwaukee Shockwave accessory boxes.
I’ve got 14 drawers, and I really don’t mind that I can’t fit my thickest drill index in the 3 shallow and narrow drawers.
There are limitations to 3″ drawers, but not many – this is perfect for me.
I wonder if I would have preferred if one of the wider drawers were shallow, but they’re fairly large and I do like being able to load them with mixed contents. All my drawers need to be reorganized, but the shallow drawers are full of layout and measuring tools, cutting tools, gluing accessories, and other misc. tools that a 3″ or deeper drawer would be wasted on.
They have other cabinets where 3″ is the shallowest drawer depth.
The 72″ would probably work well for me as well, although some of the main 5.18″ drawer might be too deep for what I’d use it for.
MM
Looks nice! I like toolboxes of that size/configuration and the adjustable height top sounds very handy. Time will tell if the table lift mechanism is durable. I’m also curious how the casters hold up. But assuming it performs decently well it looks like good value for money.
Mike Perry
I have this one…
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-72-in-18-Drawer-Mobile-Workbench-with-Adjustable-Height-Solid-Wood-Top-in-Matte-White-HOLC7218BT1M/309192961#overlay
I had to replace all my tools due to a fire in my garage about a year ago. This thing is pricey so if I didn’t have insurance money to burn, I’m not sure I would have bought it. I’m glad I did. The drawer action is super smooth as well as the lift and it feels extremely well built and will last a lifetime.
David Zeller
I have two of their rolling work tables with height adjustable tops and like them. They are steady and as sturdy as a rolling bench can be anyway. Both mine are the models with two full-width drawers. The adjustment mechanism works well.
Tom D
How does the steel/drawer feel compare to the Milwaukee workbench? I have the raised one and it is very sturdy compared to the Trinity we got later.
Stuart
I don’t have any similar Milwaukee units on hand for comparison.
This one is extremely sturdy, and if memory serves me correctly, it’s constructed at least as well as the Milwaukee.
This is part of their heavy duty 19 gauge lineup.
Wilbur
Don’t sell shallow drawers short (no pun intended). I’ve been on the lookout for a ~46″ bottom/top set that has a LOT of shallow drawers because I’m tired of having to sort through a pile of tools to get the one I want. I don’t store 8″ circular saws in my tool chest, those go in the jobsite box, but the screwdrivers, micrometers, drill bits, pliers, pry bars, punches, chisels, SAE and metric wrenches? Shallow drawers with non-skid liners and soft close, please, so I can open, grab, close quickly.
A bunch of 2.5″ drawers, please, and only a couple of full width 6″. I could live with mostly 2.5″, a couple 4″ and a (optional) “sidesaddle” of 4-6 12″ wide, 6″ deep drawers.
MC 703
Interesting concept with the adjustable top. I need to minimize horizontal spaces in my garage as they become “crap magnets”
Let’s hear about those DIY cabinets!
Ben
Is the top piece just a panel glue up? I’ve been thinking about getting one but I’d like to put dog holes in it if I do.
Stuart
Yes, the wood is laminated together. It’s a 1.2″ thick wood butcher block-like material, similar to wood countertops.
Paul
If it’s “mobile” how do I get it in the truck easily?
Stuart
Mobile crane or gantry?
Steve F
Related I’m really looking for a crank adjustable height workbench to use as a desk that I can convert from sitting to standing and double as a workbench. Stuart did a review of a husky one that seemed perfect and cheap but they seem to be discontinuing it. The black are unavailable in any size and the white is limited to some options and not in store. Any recommendations of something I should look at, I really want to keep it under $200-$300.
Stuart
The Husky table (https://toolguyd.com/husky-adjustable-height-workbench-review/) is still available in white in all sizes and with standard shipping rates, at least in my region. If the configuration you want isn’t available, check back periodically.
With that review sample, it wasn’t available in my desired size, and then it was restocked ahead of the holiday shopping season.
I was and continue to be seriously impressed with its sturdiness – it makes a nice desk and light/medium-duty workbench. I wouldn’t take a sledge hammer to pound a vise attached to it though.
It’s also possible that people are still buying work-from-home supplies. A lot of industries have still been unable to catch up to user demands.
Stacey Jones
I wonder if a heavy power tool like a planer or radial arm saw would be too heavy for the adjustable height mechanism. It might be nice for that to raise/lower planer to match extensions. Although it would be nicer to have multiple ones that weren’t so wide.
Charlie
I got the 52″ inch version on sale for $300 (!) a few years ago and love it. They discontinued it shortly thereafter, but I would have bought another if it had been available. Mine was the original version without the power strip. Prices went up, up, up shortly thereafter…but it was retailing for $350 at the time.