I will soon say goodbye to my Husky 62″ mobile workbench roller cabinet, and wanted to share some thoughts after using it for nearly two years
Home Depot and Husky sent me this sample in mid-2021, and I have enjoyed using it since then.
You can find my early impressions about the mobile workbench here.
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This roller cabinet is part of Husky’s heavy duty lineup, featuring 19 gauge construction. It has 14 drawers, an adjustable-height wood top, and 6 swivel casters.
I never used the adjustable-height top. It’s a good-to-have feature, I didn’t use it outside of initial testing.
6 swivel casters are a game-changer. Many if not most roller cabinets have a combination of swivel and fixed casters. This one has locking casters at the ends and swivel in the rear. Although I very rarely moved the cabinet around, all-swivel casters were hugely convenient.
The drawers have been perfect. They opened and closed smoothly and with minimal effort. The drawers are rated to 120 lbs, or 240 lbs for the deep bottom drawers.
I was both optimistic and doubtful about the drawer configuration.
The left bank of drawers measure 15″ wide and nearly 22″ deep, and the right bank of drawers measure a little more than 39.5″ wide x nearly 22″ deep.
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Most drawers are 3.05″ deep. A couple of the narrower drawers measure 2″ deep. The bottom drawers measure 10″ (left) and 6.8″ (right).
I loaded up the drawers with hand tools, power tool accessories, smaller tool cases, and misc. parts and supplies. The smaller deep drawer held bulkier things, such as large dust collection fittings. The larger deeper drawer held large accessory boxes and cordless power tools.
I mainly used the roller cabinet for tool storage, but also as a workbench on occasion. It excelled at both.
I should have better-utilized the power strip on the right side. It features 6 outlets and 2 USB charging ports.
I thought I might miss having a 4-inch drawer, such as for deep sockets, but I didn’t. If I need 1/2″ sockets or drive tools, I retrieve them from a different tool box.
A deeper top drawer might have been convenient for cordless power tools and batteries. But, I hang my cordless drills and impacts off a different tool cart. I mention this because my new test tool box has two deep top drawers, and it will be interesting to see how my experience with it differs.
Still, this Husky 14-drawer configuration provided incredible storage density, which I tend to prefer.
There are different kinds of organizers you can use to better optimize deeper drawers for tools such as pliers. But what about wrenches, screwdrivers, or hex key sets? Shallow drawers are great for hand tools.
In theory, maybe the drawers could have been a fraction of an inch wider if not for the adjustable height worktop mechanism. However, I liked knowing I could raise the top if I ever needed a taller work surface or the ability to clamp something down.
The adjustable height table top would also make it easier to install a bench vise or other clamp-through fixture.
I have used and tested many different types of mobile workbenches, roller cabinets, and tool chests. This is one of the sturdiest. The drawers never flexed or fought back. There were no hiccups.
I’m at a struggle to find something I didn’t like. If I had to find one negative, it would be that this heavy duty 62″ mobile workbench is only available in matte black.
I have tested and parted with many tool cabinets over the years. This is one of the few that I will truly miss. It delivered a consistently excellent experience.
If I didn’t need the space to begin testing new storage products, this would have had a permanent place in my garage. It will soon be donated locally.
Key Features & Specs
- 62″ x 24″
- Height-adjustable from 38″ to 48″
- Max load of 2500 lbs
- 31,721 cubic inches storage volume
- 6 swivel casters (4 locking)
- 1-inch wood top
- Built-in power strip (6 outlets, 2 USB)
- Includes drawer liners
- Tubular lock
Price (as of the time of this posting): $1159
The Husky test sample was provided as part of a paid partnership with Home Depot in 2021.
Steve L
I have the 52″ heavy duty cousin, also matte black, two locking swivel casters and two fixed casters. Has worked out very well for me.
I really don’t change the height of the top. Leave it 4-5″ elevated with opens up the cavities below the top. In the front cavities I put whatever I want to be able to grab quickly. The back has one full-width cavity and I keep my guide rail T-tracks (longest is 50″) and accessories in that. When I have notes or plans I use a spring clamp on the top’s edge to hold down my papers.
Bought it after you reviewed the 62.” Would buy again in a heartbeat.
Nathan
question do you ever wheel this around loaded in your space and use it as a table top or just to bring the tools to your work.
I find today with my short rollaround I do not ever use it this way. I load up a tool bag sometimes and cart it over to what I plan to do (like a brake job on the car) or such. or assembly tools for a project might go in a bag etc.
and only once in 3 years did I wheel it away from the wall to fully use the work table top it has (it’s only a 36 inch type device) but I used it as a sanding suport.
If you don’t roll it around would you consider a static cabinet then?
Odd question perhaps but it’s why I haven’t bought a wide job like that – thought about it alot but ended up making a new workbench. It does have casters though becasue I thought why not – but they haven’t been used.
Steve L
Mine holds mechanic and woodworking hand tools in the shallow drawers with accessories/cases in the deep drawers. No power tools. If I am setting up to work for a while I move it behind me – can pivot from where I am working to the rolling cabinet
I keep battery chargers on the top plugged into the power strip – unplug the power strip and roll it.
Stuart
It depends. With a tool box like this, I grab what I need from it. Even with smaller roller cabinets, I don’t move them unless I need more than I can carry in one or two trips.
I have to move a lot of the same things for the same tasks, I rethink how or where the tools or parts are stored.
Wayne Costanza
I have emailed you guys twice and got no reply.
Stuart
Yes, about Dewalt ratchets I haven’t seen or heard anything about yet. I’m still l looking into it.
Sorry, I receive many emails every day and it’s easy to fall behind, especially when I don’t have an immediate answer.
Wayne Costanza
Want sure if it was getting thru. Figured it could have looked suspect for scamming that’s why I removed the link. Sorry to hijack this post.
Stuart
Sorry. I receive so many emails and messages that I cannot always immediately respond. I do try to follow up on everything, though it can be a challenge. Once I respond you’ll have my direct email.
Big Richard
What is your question Wayne? The contributors on this site can be helpful resources as well. After all, this is more of a community than a one man tool blog.
Stuart
He was asking about the new interchangeable ratchet that has been popping up at retailers. I’ve seen more listings, at other retailers, DCF510B, but there’s little context and no ETA yet.
Jim
Stuart,
What new tool box are you testing now? I ask because I’m looking for a roller box for my son and I really like full width top drawers.
I guess it’s because my tool box for the last 15 years of work and 8 years of retirement has a single, deep, full width top drawer, and I love it.
Stuart
The Pro Duty model – I was eager to see what it could offer for 3X the price.
I’m also aiming to check other brands’ industrial lines soon.
I am also testing a modern 26″ wide Craftsman, which is proving to be adequate. It’s different than the one I bought 10 years ago, but decent.
I have had great experiences with Husky over the years. I’m still trying to pick up a standard grade 46″ locally – that has a full-width top drawer. Their 52″ is also appealing in my opinion, and you have the option of standard or heavy duty frame construction.
The great thing about Husky is that they try a lot of new things. For instance, there’s a new 84″ 22-drawer unit with a layout I haven’t seen before.
its_jake
What are those red knob doodads in the “Example drawer loadout from early testing in 2021.”?
Stuart
Woodpeckers box clamps, the old style. I keep these older aluminum clamps in the garage for misc. wood project glue-ups, and have a box of their newer plastic ones for when constructing multiple drawers, cabinets, or other such things.
Jared
I think this unit looks great. Big wide drawers are my favorite – that way I can stick all of a certain type of tool in a single drawer. I don’t like many extra-deep drawers either because I don’t store my power tools in my tool chests (although maybe that would change if I had the space).
I’m not sure adjustable height is needed – but I could see it being handy if you plop a benchtop tool on it and want to adjust it to a comfortable working height.
AlexK
Great review. Not for my needs or budget, but i would consider it if needed, based on your review. I’d like to see photos of all the drawers open. Actually, I’d love to see “all your tools and stuff” and how you have it spread out. The top photo has what looks to be a 55″ track leaning on the side. The Cats paw looks different than any I’ve seen. As its_jake asked, I’d also like to know what those doodads are.
Looking at all the stuff you have would make me feel like a kid in the greatest toy store. I can’t image how one can keep track of all that stuff as well as have enough shelving and storage to keep things off the floor.
Stuart
The Cats paw is pre-Walmart Hart, and the pry bar too.
Too many tools can be a good problem to have, up to a limit. At some point, too many toys can impede my ability to play with what I want to, when I want to, and how I want to.
The track is a new Milwaukee that just just came in.
JML
I can’t find an answer to this question: can these be used without the casters? I’m planning on getting a lineup of steel cabinets for a basement and don’t want/need casters – I want the setup to look more finished and not like a mechanic’s garage with carts moving around (no offense intended!). The Rousseau cabinets seem to be able to be configured that way, but they’re so expensive that they’re out of the question (even those made for Texton).
Stuart
Most steel cabinets can be used without casters, it’s just a matter of fabricating a sub-base with leveling feet that looks clean and can support the weight.
I have been looking at Rosseau recently, and re-familiarizing myself with Lista. Industrial solutions like those are designed for perfectly flat and level concrete floors. In a garage setting, the floor is going to be pitched, sometimes in more than one direction.
Industrial cabinets usually have forklift bases and cover panels, and garage settings might require a leveling platform or foot attachments. You could always create a toe kick to cover them up, at least until you can plan out a base.
Designs also tend to change over time. Other times, different suppliers manufacture the same cabinet in a different way. I recently experienced this with a steel storage product.
There are also an increasing number of garage cabinet setups where you have fixed cabinets designed for feet instead of wheels. Most are pricey, however.
Shorter roller cabinets can be pushed under height-adjustable workbenches. Jacking up the workbench slightly allows for wheels to be gently angled into more discreet positioning.
TonyT
What about a used Rousseau?
At work, we build our machines with casters from McMaster-Carr plus leveling feet that can be extended past the the casters.
Steve L
Cabinet is delivered without casters installed. The casters attach to the bottom of the cabinet’s frame – bolt holes are drilled and tapped.
The caster mounting holes are there to be used. You just have to locate a foot to level and raise the cabinet off the floor.
James
My 62” Husky came with casters attached. It’s a different model with 2 stainless pivot lift tops and charging drawer on the left hand side. The cabinet is built like a tank and weighs in at over 400 lbs empty. It would be virtually impossible for the average homeowner to install or remove the casters easily without a pallet jack. When fully loaded if I don’t lock the casters and it gets leaned on or gets bumped it will float across the floor. When fully loaded I can move the cabinet in and out of a space 63 inches wide without touching the sides. I never thought a Husky product would be so solid and nice. Purchased online on sale at HD with my military discount for $850 before taxes and shipping.
JML
TEKTON, not Texton (autocorrect not caught).
The Rousseau seem to have a section for the bottom that lifts the cabinet off the ground, which would be ideal for what I have in mind if I could afford them. And what a great color selection they have!