Husky recently sent over one of their adjustable height workbenches for review.
If you recall from my recent review of Husky’s 144-position ratchets, we are in a paid partnership with Husky and Home Depot, where they send over some tools for review consideration.
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I was given a “menu” of several Husky tool suggestions, and on that list was Husky’s 72″ adjustable height workbench.
Benjamen posted about Husky’s similar workbench in the past when a new model came out, and while he seems to have had a very favorable opinion, I was still skeptical.
Where would I put a 72″ workbench? I asked about the 46″, and it turned out that the 52″ was in stock. With a please and a thank you, it was on the way.
I figure I’d set this up in the garage. No – the basement. Maybe it’ll be a nice compact workbench.
I finally decided it would go in the corner of the living room at least temporarily, until I cleaned up a proper workshop space for it.
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It arrived in fantastic condition, protected with copious amounts of styrofoam, and with the components separated so as to not rattle around.
Assembly was pretty easy.
Actually, it went together way too easily. Surely I was doing something wrong? But no, it really was very nicely laid out and with great documentation.
I sat on the bench to see how stable it was when raised up a little, and my kids wanted a try too.
There are two things I don’t want to forget to mention – the bottom cross-brace can be positioned at the rear of the bench, or at the center. I like having options like that. Since I don’t intend to access it from both sides right now, I placed it at the rear.
The second thing – the bench comes with feet and casters. I opted for the leveling feet, but at some point if I move this to the garage, I’ll want it on its casters.
I typically work in my office, and then I have an older laptop for working in the living room. But, with everyone home, and no sign of that changing anytime soon, I put a computer in the living room.
Here I am now. I have an inexpensive leather desk pad I ordered at clearance pricing when buying a notebook cover, and plenty of space to work. This is far more comfortable than working on a laptop on the couch.
The desk is rock solid, and far more stable than I expected. I had anticipated some wobble, and was expecting to test it as a computer desk for a little bit before moving it to workshop duty.
I am one of those people that tend to notice everything. I bought a standing desk for my office last year, and the bamboo top has sharp corners all around. This table top? Smooth and nicely eased. It has been a pleasure to use so far.
The Husky workbench doesn’t shake when I type. It doesn’t wobble. It’s solid and excellent in every regard I could think of.
That standing desk I mentioned putting in my office? It replaced an Ikea desk that I’ve had for years. The table top that comes with this Husky workbench is thicker than both. Thicker means more mass and stability. Plus, I can modify (drill into) it more easily in the future if needed.
I haven’t raised it up and down too much yet, and I don’t plan to.
The big benefit of a height-adjustable workbench isn’t so much that you could raise and lower it all the time, but that you can dial in the height exactly where you want it, and easily.
My Gladiator workbenches adjust in 1″ increments. If you want to adjust it less than that, you need to play around with the casters.
I don’t know how, but this Husky bench feels sturdier than my Gladiator workbenches – both of the bamboo ones I bought and the hardwood samples they sent a while back.
If you need to make big adjustments with this Husky workbench, sone user reviews mention removing the knob and using a hex driver or the appropriate bit socket chucked into a drill.
The bench has a 300 lb weight capacity. Adjustment range is 26″ to 42″.
The quality of the work top is also nicer than I had expected.
This bench measures 52″ x 24″. I like this size. I put a 48″ desk in my office, replacing a massive 60″ long L-table. I think that 52″ is a nice size – large enough to not feel cramped, and small enough so as to not dominate a space.
I am extremely pleased with this Husky height-adjustable bench/table/desk, and am also glad I went with with the white color scheme.
It’s a solid-feeling workbench, but it doesn’t look like a workbench, and I am loving that.
I have been heavily considering buying another one, it’s that good.
The model shown here retails for $199. This table is available in 46″, 52″,62″, and 72″ sizes, in white and black finish options.
I have been trying to come up with a negative about the Husky table, but I’m still drawing a blank. You might argue “sure, it’s a good desk, but that’s less demanding than if it were used as a workbench,” and that might be true, but I am far less accepting of instabilities in this type of use. If it can handle my fidgeting as I type, and without bugging me – I’m easily distracted by things like a wobbling table – it can handle assembly tasks, precision work, or medium duty workshop tasks with ease.
Despite its 300 lb load rating, it feels far more stable than the larger and much higher-rated work tables I’ve used.
Oh, and the table top is supported about its center. This means that if or when it makes it to my garage workspace, I’ll be able to clamp things to it all-around.
I am loving it so far – thank you Husky!
Questions?
Buy Now: White via Home Depot
Buy Now: Black via Home Depot
As mentioned, this sample was provided as part of a paid partnership between ToolGuyd and Home Depot.
Jay
I hate that you even showed this now everyone’s gonna want one. I’ve been searching for the 2 drawer version of this for weeks with no luck. Can’t wait for them to be restocked.
Jared
Covid demand problem?
Stuart
Sorry. Certain sizes have been going in and out of stock.
Getting a sample of this and a particular tool cabinet took some time.
Jay
I just picked up the 52 in. 2 drawer version. You forced my hand.
Drew M
Drawers are only rated for ~35lb so I’m guessing they’re pretty wimpy. I was looking at that version and thinking about mounting the drawers to the underside of my tablesaw’s right extension table but I doubt they’re strong enough for that.
GML
Could you build your own drawers and install them yourself?
Stuart
In theory, yes, but you’d be limited a little as to the side and weight since you’d most likely be fastening them to the underside of the top.
I have a bamboo drawer box that came with my standing desk, and have been considering adding it to the underside of the Husky.
Drew M
I wonder if this could be cut down/modified to a size smaller than 46″. I’m thinking this would be an excellent starting point for a miter saw station that I can also use with my Panto-router.
My plan had been to build something with a shelf below for the pantorouter and I’d swap the “machines” as needed. The adjustable height would mean that I might also be able to use it as an outfeed for my tablesaw or adjust it down so the Pantorouter’s table is at the same height as my tablesaw (maybe).
Benjamen
The shaft for driving the leg opposite the crank runs in a channel under the table, you’d have to cut that down somehow.
John
That they manufacture and market two sizes so similar (46” and 52”) makes me think there must be some tool-specific or use-specific reason. But I’m unable to think what that might be.
I do like the observation that the height adjustability lends itself to an outfeed table.
Stuart
User preferences. It’s similar to brands having so many different sizes of tool chests and cabinets.
Dave
If you lower the height a bit on the 46″, it will slide right underneath the 52″. And that will fit underneath the 60″. I do not have a 72″, as those are relatively new, but I expect the 60″ should fit under that in the same manner.
This works best with the bottom brace placed at the rear, rather than center.
Greg
I bought one last year. They were clearing them out @my HomeDepot. 175.00
Great product.
OldDominionDIYer
I saw one of the two drawer models at my local HD today and I was duly impressed, very nice unit!
Mike
I’ve been using one of these at my office for a few years now as a sit/stand desk. Works great and after I retire it will go back home to my workshop.
Carl Sampson
I have two of these and also a Gladiator workbench. The Gladiator is far more sturdy than these and the top much more durable. These tables are good as a desktop or for crafting type activities but if you use them for heavier tasks they do disappoint. I had used them as height adjustable outfeed and sidefeed tables for table saw cutting of sheet goods but they were a bit flimsy in that task. The top is closer to softwood than hardwood and dents a bit too easily. You can’t really hammer or pound on anything on the table top.
Justin
I was interested until I saw the height adjustment mechanism. That looks really annoying!
Stuart
Yes if you want to adjust it multiple times every day. No if you make adjustments only occasionally.
Also, keep in mind what I said – some users have reported success in using power tools to drive the hex-drive crank. I don’t think this is officially recommended, and I haven’t measured the crank arm to see what size it might be, but it seemed worth mentioning that it’s being done by some people (at their own risk – this isn’t something I would try or recommend either).
Justin
Yeah… that did get me seriously thinking about gutting a $20 electric drill from harbor freight and wiring it it permanently.
Dave
These tables are fantastic. I have at least 15 of them in our office/warehouse. They are used both as desks and workstations, where products are prepped and packaged. The adjustable height works great because we can lower the table for larger items.
My favorite feature is that every size table will nest inside/underneath the next larger size table. This way we can store a 60″, 52″, and a 46″ table in a much smaller space, and only pull out the smaller tables when needed.
I have found the assembly to be easy enough, but slightly annoying. The threaded inserts on the underside of the tables are never lined up with all the holes in the supports, and some serious tweaking/pulling is required to make the last couple line up (all bolts are left loose until the end). Additionally, the shaft on the bottom (connecting each side) is sometimes damaged on one end or the other, and will not assemble properly without some quick work with a file. The same can be said for inserting the crank handle – sometimes easy, sometimes not so much.
Tony
I have had the drawer-less version as a work from home desk for 2 years now. Couldn’t be happier, unless the drawered version was around then.
I echo someone else’s sentiments above that when I get to retire, I look forward to using it as a proper work table.
Ken
I just assembled the 72” version this weekend.
I am very impressed with the product.
The packaging is over the top protective. I spent more time breaking up the packaging styrofoam into smaller pieces for disposal then building the table.
Everything in the box was in perfect condition.
I do recommend you have a 1/4” rat tail file on hand. I had two screw holes in the center steel brace that would not line up..needed to open one side of these two holes about 1- 2mm. I attribute the alignment issue to slight dimensional change in the wooden top.
Do not tighten all screws until all pieces are loosely assembled.
Even with this small issue on the hole alignment I would recommend this table.
Scott K
This look really nice. It seems like great timing- buy it now as an adjustable desk while you work from home and then move it elsewhere when work conditions change. I would love an adjustable height table right now- I’m currently using a standard desk with a box under my laptop when I need to stand. It’s not ideal, but it works.
Javier A.
I had been eyeing one of these at Home Depot for a while, and luckily found the 52″ 2-drawer version on clearance for about 30% off back in March 2020. I immediately set it up as a standing desk when my company moved to work from home at the start of the pandemic, and it has been FANTASTIC for that purpose, at 1/4 of the cost of most standing desks on the market. You did a great job of highlighting the features and I agree with literally everything you wrote, so I’ll give you a virtual tip of the hat and say “well said.”
Joe
Nice review. I wanted one of these but ended up just buying a standard husky workbench since these were not in stock at the time. I am wondering through, how does the lifting mechanism lock the table height in place? I assume there is more to it than just crack a few turns out and thats it
Stuart
There is no added locking mechanism.
David Zeller
I have two of different lengths, both with drawers. The longer is in the workshop as a project/assembly type table with wheels. The drawers are shallow, which I prefer to keep clearance for sitting underneath. They hold extra sets of common tools well – screwdrivers, calipers, etc. The second is upstairs where I work with with painting, leather, learning silversmithing for jewelry, and other crafts. No wheels on that one, as it acts as a stationary bench along the wall. It was nice that it could adjust to the same height as my other bench in an L configuration.
David
I bought three of these a couple years ago. With one, I made a second bottom brace. I installed the extra brace and the factory brace in place (middle and back spots) and set a piece of plywood across them. I then set two of the 26″ wide $49.00 multi drawer top cabinets on the plywood and filled them with “stuff”!
Drew Miller
What did you make the second brace out of?
Michael M
How hard would it be to add a custom top? I’m thinking of using it as a kitchen table base
Ruth
Ok, so far my rotating rod doesn’t line up with the opposite end. I read insert the rod into the opposite leg and then slowly turn the crank til the rod will slip into the right leg. That sounds easy but my crank won’t turn! It’s frozen, only turns about a 1/4”. Any suggestions?
Kate
I am stuck at this point too. Had read in another video comment to try a rubber mallet. That worked But – the next step to place the bar assembly – it’s too long once the hex bar is in place so would have to go back. If I fit the cover then the hex bar isn’t connected. I feel like my desk came with wrong parts, since most reviews are saying this was “so easy.” So dissatisfied!!!
Kate
Follow-up: other advice I found was to insert the crank handle and turn counter clockwise to adjust the hex alignment to fit the rod. This worked for but I ended up taking the whole assembly off the table and putting together first standing upright. Needed to be able to hold in place while screws went into cover. Then flipped the whole thing over(you need 2 ppl) and screwed to table top. Similar to others, one screw at table back was out of alignment so I had 15 screws ttl, not worried, still solid.
King
So I love the table it’s a really good table it’s pretty sturdy I got it for Christmas last year I use it in the garage in my work area the only thing I have a problem with is we ordered the ones with the drawers and I got the one without the drawers it is what came I’m just wondering why is it not an option to buy the drawers by themselves after you’ve already purchased the table?