As you probably already know, Home Depot and their Husky tool brand offer a broad range of tools, workshop supplies, and equipment.
Husky is a ToolGuyd sponsor, and I have been looking through their catalog for ideas on what to review next. Along the way, I came across several products that I would consider to be the ultimate workshop upgrades.
In my experience, Husky tools and accessories are reasonable priced and reliable. They’re a great go-to for a wide range of miscellaneous tool needs, especially when I need something fast.
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For example, when I punctured an irrigation line last year and needed to patch it up, I drove to my local Home Depot, picked up a Husky ratcheting PVC cutter and supplies, and got back to make the repair.
Husky also has a Lifetime Warranty on hand tools, from big to small.
But I’m not talking about any of that here. Here, I’m talking about the type of things that made me go “WOW!”
Let’s talk about a couple of ultimate workshop upgrades.
Husky PRO Duty Tool Storage System
The first time I saw this Husky Professional Duty tool storage system mobile workbench, I let out a crude word or two. It looks awesome. This is what my current rolling tool cabinets wish they could grow up to be.
This 72″ 20-drawer mobile workbench can hold up to 220 lbs of tools per drawer, except for the top drawer and all 3 deep bottom drawers, which can each hold up to 400 lbs.
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It can support up to 6000 pounds, has a 9-gauge steel base frame, 16-gauge steel body and interior panels, and 18-gauge 304-grade stainless steel work surface.
The 6-inch x 2-inch shock-absorbing casters would work perfectly on my definitely not-leveled floor! I also like that it only has 4 casters, rather than 4 plus 2 in the middle. Tool boxes with casters in the middle tend to be a lot harder to move around when needed, at least in my experience.
It also features a Kwikset SmartKey security locking system.
But wait, there’s more…
It can be expanded with side lockers, a hutch, and top cabinets.
Part of the WOW factor for me is the drawer configuration, which looks perfect for my needs and preferences: longer and deeper drawers on top for socket rails, larger tools, and supplies, shallow drawers for high-efficiency hand tool storage, and deep drawers on the bottom for power tools.
Home Depot and Husky covers the PRO Duty system with a limited lifetime warranty.
This is way more of a tool box than I need, but a guy could dream. Did you know Husky made something like this?!
Like I said – it’s an ultimate workshop upgrade!
While the $3500 price tag seems steep – for just the mobile workbench component – it’s much less heart-stopping than many of the other brands I checked when looking for similarly sized and spec’ed products.
P.S. This is where someone should say in the comments something like “oh, how I wish there were independent reviews on this new Husky PRO Duty tool storage system. If only Home Depot knew of a great tool reviewer who is especially passionate about tool storage products!” Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
Update: Save on the PRO-Duty Mobile Workbench for a Limited Time
After drafting this post, I learned that Home Depot has a special buy on the black Husky PRO-duty mobile workbench.
As part of Home Depot’s holiday season pricing, the mobile workbench – in black – is $2998 right now, reflecting $500 in savings.
Many of the black-finish add-ons and attachments are also at promotional pricing.
Husky 80 Gallon Dual Stage Air Compressor
There is a huge jump in capabilities between portable air compressors and stationary shop compressors.
Home Depot’s Husky 80-gallon 2-stage 175 PSI air compressor is on my wishlist, for when I’m finally ready to make the upgrade.
From the recommended applications chart, it can power everything from nailers to automotive air tools.
This is a 5HP 230V model, with 22A power draw, which is typical for air compressors of this size.
It can deliver 15.1 SCFM at 90 PSI, which sounds great to me. I’ve been wanting to get an air cooler for machining applications, and it “only” requires a minimum of 8 SCFM, which is well beyond the capabilities of every portable air compressor I have ever looked at.
Keep in mind that an air compressor like this is a commitment, as it needs a bit of space and usually requires a dedicated circuit. This is the type of air compressor you connect to wall or ceiling-mounted airline tubing, rigid piping, or hose reels for shop-wide access to its abundance of compressed air power. One day!!
Husky 290pc Mechanics Tool Set in EVA Trays
While not quite as dreamy an upgrade as a heavy-duty 20-drawer mobile workbench, or an air compressor that can handle any air tool or accessory needs I might ever have, I am excited that Husky expanded their line of tool tray-equipped mechanics tool sets.
They now have a larger 290pc set that appears to be particularly drawer-friendly.
I can hear some of you saying that you can do the same with foam sheets and the like. True, but it won’t be as clean-looking as this, and not with clear size markings.
Here are all of the EVA foam-tray tool sets they have right now, and I’m hoping to see even more!
Question: I am a HUGE fan of foam tray and modular tool sets, hence my excitement for these. How do you like to store your mechanics tools? One or more portable tool boxes, trays in tool chest or roller cabinet drawers, or loose in drawers with different storage accessories?
More Husky Welded Garage Storage!!
Husky has a very nice system of welded garage cabinet and storage system. I have a couple of the wood-topped workbench-height base cabinets, and have been wishing for more.
I have a trio of Husky welded steel garage cabinet test samples from an earlier partnership, and they’ve been fantastic for helping me get things organized. I plan to add two more cabinets to help me transform a corner storage pit into a more productive area of my workshop.
The 5-drawer cabinet is a very good option, and I find myself especially fond of Husky’s 2-door and 2-door plus 1-drawer cabinets. This surprised me, as I tend to very strongly prefer drawers over doors for tool, parts, and equipment storage.
These are the Husky heavy-duty welded cabinets, and they also have regular-duty cabinets at lower price points.
Now is a good time to buy; Home Depot has “special buy” pricing right now, and periodically throughout the year, which puts less hurt on your wallet.
Christian Reed (REEKON)
Husky Tool Chests and Workbenches are great.; we have more than 50 of them in our office and make great desks and tool storage in our shop. It’s funny that despite being super heavy duty, they almost always cost less than buying normal ‘professional grade’ desks that most offices have.
TonyT
Do you use the Husky height adjustable workbenches too?
Steven L
I bought a 52″ height adjustable heavy duty workbench about 18 months ago. The 52″ has four casters which I prefer over 6 casters. Like it. Recommend it.
Have filled the drawers and it rolls smoothly.
I never lower the top all the way down. In the space below the top I place items needed for my current project. I rotate stuff in and out of that 52″ “drawer” as my needs change – really easy to grab things placed there
Stuart
I do and am ordering another one. They’re fantastic in my opinion! I rarely adjust it though, but the adjustable height was great for initial setup and I might tweak it on occasion. It’s a lot easier then getting on the floor and using set screws or similar.
Mr. C
I look at Husky’s Height Adjustable workbenches as perfect a “height adjustable office desk”.
They’re cheaper than almost any “standing desk”, stronger, and you can clamp/drill/etc to it. Try doing that with something stamped IKEA that’s filled with cardboard.
But they’re not a “standing desk” in my book — not tall enough for most people. They’re more a “sitting desk that’s adjustable for people who find most desks just don’t fit them right.”
But that’s a mouthful.
Joel
The Husky height adjustable workbenches are awesome! I use one in my classroom as a standing desk during class, then lower it during lunch or grading. Perfect size for my laptop and a curved monitor that I mounted on an adjustable swim arm to maximize the workspace.
Jeremiah
Look closely, as Husky makes three level /grades of tool chests/cabinets/carts.
Regardless of that, theor heavy duty grade is am awesome set up.
MoogleMan3
I came to post about their workbench tops; I have a couple I wall mounted using rockler’s heavy duty shelf brackets (similar to the fastcap ones) to make a decent L shaped PC/workstation desk. They’re heavy and have stayed flat. Great price too.
Bob
I do like the layout a lot . And I like the side lockers. But at the on sale price of 3k just for the box….NO thanks. 9k for toolbox, two lockers and tow hutches. I can’t see it selling well.
For comparison the Horror Freight’s 72” x 22” deep are 1600 normal price and very good quality. Yes the husky is 2” deeper. And I definitely prefer a deeper box but not for double the price.
There are a lot of internet only toolboxes like montezuma that are in this quality level for quite a bit less money.
Chris I
Is the word Horror an autocorrect error? Or intentional?
Mike
I can’t buy husky with first hand reviews from trusted sources.
I bought a husky rolling toolbox years ago for $200 on black Friday (was 50%). That same box now goes on sale for $400. That jump in price makes it hard to pull the trigger on a second one knowing what I paid in 2018.
gene
See what it goes for this time next year.
Stuart
I believe you are mistaken and are talking about a different tool box.
In 2017 and earlier years, the Husky Black Friday 46″ “mobile work center” priced at $199 featured:
9-drawers, 14,357 cubic inches of storage capacity, 75 lb drawer slides on the top drawer, 50 lbs drawer slides on the other drawers, an assembled depth of 18.10″, and weighed 189 lbs.
The Husky 46″ “mobile workbench tool chest” that’s on sale for $400 now/soon for Black Friday 2022 has the following specs:
9-drawers, 19,650 cubic inches storage volume, 100 lb drawer slides, 24.5″ assembled depth, and 226 lb weight. The bottom drawers have extra slides and hold up to 200 lbs.
It’s a different product than what you bought for $200.
The newer style, which is deeper and with heavier duty drawer slides, first appeared in 2018.
The older model (or similar shallow model) was $239 in 2014 and then $199 in subsequent years thru 2017.
The Black Friday special – the newer model – was $300 in 2018. Prices did go up since then across most brands. The price of similar models were $348 in 2019, $348 in 2020, and $398 in 2021. The power strip might have been a new addition since then, I’m not certain.
Take a look:
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2014-tool-deals/
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2015-tool-deal-adscan/
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2016/
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2017-tool-deals/
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2018-tool-deals/
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2019-tool-deals/
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2020-tool-deals/
https://toolguyd.com/home-depot-black-friday-2021-tool-deals/
Leo B.
I got you, Stuart- Oh, how I wish there were independent reviews on this new Husky PRO Duty tool storage system. If only Home Depot knew of a great tool reviewer who is especially passionate about tool storage products!
Stuart
Thanks! Anyone else? 😉
In all serious, I really want to explore the best Husky has to offer.
I’ve been extremely pleased with their tool storage products over the years. I have a heavy duty mobile workbench tool box still in my possession, and plan to get my hands on a 46″ workbench, as I finally have the space to test one.
TomD
It looks very nice but why is it 3x the price of this one
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-61-in-11-Drawer-1-Door-22-in-D-Mobile-Workbench-with-Sliding-Pegboard-Back-Wall-in-Red-Black-48-22-8561/304094257
Stuart
72″ length with 20 drawers, each with 200 lb load capacity (or 400 lbs), vs. 61″ length with 11 drawers, each with 100 lb load capacity, and 1 drawer.
Husky shipping weight: 788 lbs.
Milwaukee shipping weight: 405 lbs (including the pegboard back)
Husky: 16 gauge steel frame construction, 4 casters
Milwaukee: 20 gauge steel frame construction, 6 casters
The Milwaukee and like-priced Husky cabinets are fantastic!!
But the Pro-Duty cabinet is in a completely different category with respect to construction and load capacity.
Is it worth it? That’s something only a hands-on review and long-term testing can answer.
Joellikestools
I am not the biggest fan of kaizen type foam. The principle is great and it is easy to use. Although it is hard to keep clean and I just really don’t like the texture. I like to make my own options with scrap wood and magnets. I have also used some flatware organizer trays that fit my work toolbox perfectly.
That workbench tool chest looks sweet. I use a less robust Husky one and have few complaints for what it is. That one looks like a nice upgrade.
Stuart
That’s not layered like kaizen foam. The ratchet set I tested in the past had a smooth easy-clean top surface.
Kevin+M+Smith
I’ve picked up a couple of their 20ga storage cabinets in the past couple weeks, plus have had one of their tool carts that I’ve used for welding gear for about a year now.
They aren’t anything great, the hardware is cheap and the protective plastic they put on them is irritating as all get out, but they are functional, well priced when on sale, and are good enough for my needs. I use my gear, I don’t abuse it!
Mr.X
While I think the pro-level Husky storage does look nice, and many Husky tools look to be of much better quality that those available just a few years ago, I remain skeptical about Husky Compressors. I bought a two stage (imported) Husky compressor a few years back only to find that the motor was faulty. The replacement unit had a badly warped pulley on the pump side. The replacement for that had a leaky tank. To be fair, Home Depot was excellent throughout this ordeal and management gave me a substantial discount on the single stage Dewalt 200psi portable unit I ultimately purchased. I noticed that the unit pictured above has a USA sticker on it and hope that these are better built than the Husky units of old. I would love to have a reliable and reasonably priced two stage as the Dewalt unit I have sometimes struggles to keep up with certain applications. Please post your experience when you get your Husky compressor set up!
Stuart
Unfortunately I’m far from ready for a compressor like this yet, but I do have my eye on a different Husky. More on that soon.
CoBlue
It’s amazing that you can spend almost two thousand dollars on a compressor and it still isn’t quite powerful enough to run stuff like nice air sanders. That expense is why I’ve never seriously considered more than trivial use of pneumatic tools.
MM
The specs on this particular compressor are terrible.
Compare to this Eaton 5HP single phase, 17 CFM at 175 PSI, 19 CFM at 100 PSI:
https://eatoncompressor.com/product/5hp-air-compressor-single-phase-2-stage-80-gallon-vertical/
I have owned the 7.5HP horizontal tank version of that compressor for 19 years. It has a very slow RPM 4-cylinder pump, it is actually quiet enough you can have a phone conversation right next to it while its running.
mark
My favorite tool storage system has to be “toolgrid” by mantis. Not super well known and pricey but it’s easy to adjust as you add tools. It’s the most space efficient system I’ve seen and it’s honestly like playing grown up man Legos to setup. Super satisfying.
Matthew
A couple of years ago I came across a deal too good to pass up on a Husky 432 piece mechanics set. Unfortunately, it was a lot of pieces and no organization. I was able to find a US vendor that made foam cutouts for a very similar Husky tool kit. It wasn’t cheap but it was perfect and houses all of the sockets and ratchets that came with the set.
I’m not a fan of wrenches in the foam as it is easier to lay flat in a drawer or on a peg board to me.
These foam socket sets that Husky has seem to be reasonably priced and decent enough quality for most of my needs. If I wasn’t already set it would be more intriguing.
Mike
The 24.6” depth of the box is a deal breaker, which means the drawers are 23.6” or less in depth.