We had an idea for a heavy-duty rolling DIY workbench for the Pro Tool Reviews shop. It involved getting a couple of existing workbenches and modifying them somewhat. One of the “ingredients” was the Husky Mobile Workbench with adjustable-height top. Before we went crazy, however, we thought we’d review this 72-inch long Husky workbench on its own to see what kind of base we would be working with.
We’re no strangers to Husky workbenches. In fact, we’ve reviewed the latest Husky 52-inch 15-drawer tool chest and found it to be an incredible bargain compared to much higher-priced solutions from Snap-on and others. They’ve done a good job of delivering decent quality steel build quality alongside convenience features like soft-close drawers, integrated power, USB charging, and oversized casters. That trend continues with the new Husky Mobile Workbench with Adjustable-Height Top. In fact, they added even more.
Husky 72-inch Mobile Workbench Adjustable Work Top
The Husky 72-inch Mobile Workbench makes for the most innovative and obvious feature this workbench has to offer. You can raise and lower the top using an included crank handle. It takes 72 turns to get from fully-seated (38″ tall) to its maximum height of 51″ but we found a workaround for that. Using a 10mm Allen socket and a Milwaukee FUEL 12V drill we found we could raise and lower the table in mere seconds. Just use Low speed and set the clutch at 10 to avoid damaging the mechanism. The wood top can handle up to 300 pounds according to Husky specifications—and we saw no reason to doubt that. Stability is provided by a sort of “T” design which keeps the top from twisting as it is raised and lowered from twin center posts.
Now to Cover Our Bases
Before moving on, how this 567-lb workbench arrived truly impressed me. Over the years we’ve received many different toolboxes and workbenches for review and use. This one came on a pallet frame with the wheels pre-attached. To get it ready you simply needed to take an impact driver or wrench with an Allen socket and remove about 12 bolts. This allows you to knock away the lower wood frame and free the unit to sit on the ground. After that, you need only install the crank handle, side handle, metal cord wrap tabs, and non-slip drawer mats.
Build Quality Matters in a 72-inch Mobile Workbench
Our workbenches tend to move around quite a bit. That means we need something durable and built to handle a decent amount of tools. Each drawer can support around 100 pounds of tools. The bottom deep drawers can handle 200 pounds. Both those bottom drawers and the wider top drawer feature dual slides. Our guess would be that the top drawer also supports up to 200 pounds of tools. All-told, Husky claims up to 2,400 pounds can be supported within this mobile workbench. We have no reason to doubt that given our experience with this box and others we’ve used.
The casters seem to be well-made, and the presence of six rotating wheels means you can literally spin the Husky adjustable-height mobile workbench 180 degrees in place. The casters lack grease fittings, but you should be able to periodically maintain them and the drawer slides with a bearing grease (we recommend at least once a year).
Husky 72-inch Mobile Workbench Adjustable Work Top Build Quality
19-gauge steel sheet metal makes up the outer construction of the Husky Mobile Workbench with Adjustable-Height Solid Wood Top. Underneath, however, you’ll find what we believe is a 10-gauge steel frame around the perimeter of the base and across the center wheels. Husky also powder-coated the outer areas to give it more durability against scratches. Overall, the system feels stout—particuarly for the sub-$1,200 price.
The drawers lock with an integrated barrel lock system that splits the top three drawers from the bottom fifteen. The locks are keyed identically, but it does allow you to keep a majority of your tools protected while allowing access to the top section.
We Drop Our Drawers
Each of the steel drawers features fairly robust ball-bearing slides with a soft-close catch at the back. The slides are riveted into both the double-walled interior frame of the workbench as well as the drawers themselves. They pull and close fairly straight with almost no play. The drawers have a nice roll over at the top to give them rigidity.
Power Outlets and Dual USB Ports
Both consumer- and Pro-oriented toolboxes and workbenches consistently include some kind of power management. With the Husky Mobile Workbench with adjustable-height solid wood top, that shows up on the right side. The integrated power strip also includes two USB ports which operate at around 1.2A each (2.4A total possible). This matches the Husky 60-inch mobile workbench we also use in the shop.
Adjustable-Height Husky Mobile Workbench Options & Pricing
- Husky 72-inch Mobile Workbench w/Adjustable Top (18-drawers) – $1098
- 62-inch Mobile Workbench w/Adjustable Top (14-drawers) – $948
- 52-inch Mobile Workbench w/Adjustable Top (9-drawers) – $749
Conclusion
Overall, Husky makes some very well-built workbenches and toolboxes priced well below their better-recognized competition. It’s no doubt that there are a limited number of manufacturers making these boxes for various brands—which begs the question: How does Husky sell such a feature-rich solution at a much lower price? Who cares. Save your money and stick one of these in your workshop or garage. Can you get a product with thicker-gauge steel, more color choices, and heavier-duty drawers? Absolutely. The question is whether or not that falls into your list of requirements.
Is there room for improvement? Sure. The casters, while well-sized, are very basic models and lack grease points. I always value taller drawers for holding thicker tools like meters, tapes, etc. With the 72-inch Husky, you only get the double-wide across the top, and then three at the bottom.
If you are looking for an ergonomic mobile workbench with an adjustable top, Husky’s three models are the only game in town. While it does cost $1,200, you can get that price under $1,000 if you just want a 72″ workbench with a fixed solid wood top. Husky even has an 8-drawer model in stainless steel for $800. We can enthusiastically recommend the Husky 72″ mobile workbench with variable-height top based on its build quality, features, and value.
