DeWalt 52 in. Wide 8-Drawer Mobile Workstation

First impressions and setup

The day this 52-inch DeWalt mobile workstation landed in my shop, I cleared a path and set a pair of blocks by the door. It ships heavy and well-protected, and while the shipping weight tips past 200 pounds, the uncrating process is straightforward. Mine arrived with the casters and handle not yet installed, which I actually prefer—I can tip and position the cabinet more safely before it’s rolling. Bolting on the 6-by-2-inch over-toe locking casters and the tubular side handle took me about half an hour. The pre-cut top mat and drawer liners are a welcome sight right out of the box; not having to trim and lay liners saves real time.

Once upright, the first thing that stands out is the footprint-to-capacity ratio. At 52 inches wide with eight drawers, it strikes a balance between accessible, broad storage and not feeling like a skyscraper on wheels. The drawer faces align cleanly, the paint is even, and there were no burrs or sharp edges to catch a sleeve. It reads as a mid-heavy-duty cabinet rather than a light-duty box, and that’s backed up by the 18/20-gauge steel construction and a caster system engineered for up to 2,000 pounds total.

Build quality and design

DeWalt’s steel thickness here is a step up from budget cabinets—panels don’t drum or oilcan when you press on them, and the cabinet remains torsionally stable when rolling over rough expansion joints. The over-toe casters are a highlight: the brakes are easy to toggle with a boot or sneaker, hold consistently, and don’t drift when you bump the cabinet from the side. The full-grip tubular handle is long enough to control the load without knuckle-busting on drawer pulls.

Fit and finish are honest. Welds are clean where they need to be, the cabinet squares up, and drawer faces line up without adjustment. I also appreciated that the unit is made in the USA with global materials; the build has that “shop tool” sturdiness, not the flimsiness I see in entry-level rolling boxes.

Drawers and slide performance

This workstation is about drawers as much as anything else, and DeWalt did the basics right. Every drawer rides on full-extension, soft-close ball-bearing slides, which matters once you’ve packed them with deep organizer trays or lengthwise pry bars. The soft-close mechanism engages in the last couple inches and pulls the drawer home without the bang or bounce that shuffles small parts.

Load ratings are sensible: single-slide drawers up to 100 pounds, double-slide drawers up to 150 pounds. I don’t stage barbell-plate tests in my shop, but I did deliberately load the bottom drawers with heavy sockets, a sledge, and a couple of vises. The slides didn’t stutter or rack, and the face gaps stayed consistent. If you routinely store dense metal stock or multiple corded sanders in one drawer, you’ll be fine here. Full-extension also means no more half-hanging to reach that last box of staples.

The included drawer liners fit perfectly, have enough grip to keep bits from skating, and won’t bunch when you pull tool trays in and out. They’re not the super-tacky sort that traps every speck of dust, but they do their job well.

Security, top surface, and everyday ergonomics

The internal keyed lock is simple and effective—one turn locks all drawers. It’s not a high-security safe lock, but for shared spaces or jobsite trailers, it’s enough to keep honest hands honest. Two keys come in the bag; I stashed one in a magnetic key box on the underside.

On top, the embossed mat is thick enough to resist rolling edges on screws and keeps the surface from feeling like a skating rink for small parts. I’ve used the top as a staging area for a compact miter saw and a benchtop grinder during a layout change; the cabinet didn’t shimmy, and the casters held fast when locked. For assembly and teardown tasks, that stable, grippy top is more useful than a glossy steel surface.

Customization and modular options

One of the more thoughtful touches is the included pair of metal rails, power tool holsters, and short hooks. I mounted the rails along the side, slotted in the holsters, and put my drill/impact pair within arm’s reach of the top. It keeps batteries off the top mat and opens a drawer for things that actually belong in drawers. The hooks handle tape measures or a small square.

The workstation is part of a modular metal storage system, so you can expand with add-ons later (sold separately). I like that my base cabinet isn’t a dead end; if I add a matching top hutch down the line, the aesthetic and hole pattern will play nice.

In use: mobility and stability

This is a big cabinet, and the casters are the unsung heroes. Six-inch wheels roll over concrete expansion joints, air hoses, and the occasional stray screw without feeling like you’re pushing a shopping cart with a wobbly wheel. The width gives it a planted stance, so even with a top-heavy load—say, a stack of fastener organizers up top—it resists that sketchy side-to-side sway. With the brakes on, I can torque on a stuck fastener clamped to a bench block on the top without the cabinet sliding or pivoting.

Noise is minimal. Drawers glide quietly, and the soft-close dampens the shop’s soundtrack. If you share space or work odd hours, this matters more than you might think.

What I’d change

• Drawer count versus width: With only eight drawers across 52 inches, the format skews toward fewer, larger bays. If you love lots of shallow drawers for chisels or precision hand tools, you may find yourself subdividing with trays. The tradeoff is spacious drawers that swallow power tools and bulky kits without playing Tetris.
• Integrated power: I didn’t find an onboard power strip or pass-through, so charging batteries lives on a wall strip or a top-mounted solution. Not a dealbreaker, but competitors often include integrated outlets these days.
• Accessory depth: The included rails, holsters, and hooks are a great start, but if you want a fully dressed sidewall, you’ll likely buy more accessories. That’s the nature of modular systems, but it’s worth budgeting for.

Durability and maintenance

After weeks of daily use, there’s no sagging or slide crunch, and the paint has resisted scuffs from dropped sockets and the occasional careless clamp. The casters still roll smoothly and haven’t developed flat spots under static loads. I give the slides a quick wipe when dust builds up, and the liners lift out for a shake and vacuum—simple, practical maintenance.

It’s also worth noting the 10-year limited warranty. Storage cabinets aren’t fast-wearing tools, but slides and locks are moving parts. Having a decade of coverage in the background adds confidence, especially if this will live in a commercial shop where everyone uses it.

Value and who it’s for

This DeWalt workstation sits in the “buy once, keep for a long time” category. It’s not the cheapest 52-inch box, and it doesn’t try to be. What you’re paying for is a combination of structure (18/20-gauge steel that doesn’t fold under load), smooth, full-extension soft-close slides with real capacity, large locking casters that cruise over shop floors, and practical touches like the pre-cut liners and side-mounted storage. If you’re outfitting a professional shop or a serious garage where tools move constantly and drawers see real weight, the extra investment makes sense.

If you’re a hobbyist with a light tool load or you prefer a tall stack with many shallow drawers, you might find more drawer count per dollar elsewhere. But for users who favor wide, usable drawers, reliable mobility, and a stable top work surface, this hits a sweet spot.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt workstation for mechanics, carpenters, and serious DIYers who need a sturdy, mobile base with smooth, high-capacity drawers and dependable casters. It’s built well, rolls well, and stays put when you lock it down. The included liners and side accessories make it functional on day one, the modular path leaves room to grow, and the 10-year limited warranty backs the whole package. It costs more than bargain options, and I’d love to see integrated power and perhaps one or two additional shallow drawers, but the core experience—organization, movement, and durability—is excellent. If you value those fundamentals, this cabinet is an easy yes.