DeWalt 52 in. W x 20 in. D 8-Drawer Rolling Tool Cabinet

Why I chose this cabinet

I wanted a 52-inch rolling cabinet that could live in a small garage bay without eating all the floor space, hold a mixed set of mechanics’ and carpentry tools, and roll smoothly over imperfect concrete. The DeWalt 52-inch rolling cabinet checked the right boxes on paper: full-extension soft-close slides, 6-inch casters, an internal lock, and a work-ready top with liners included. After several weeks of loading it up and using it daily, here’s how it actually performed.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, the cabinet arrives mostly assembled. I had to bolt on the casters, side handle, and the two steel accessory rails; then hang the two included power tool holsters. The cabinet is manageable with two people—around 100 pounds empty—but I still recommend a helper for flipping it safely to mount the wheels. All the hardware and keys were in the top drawer, and the pre-cut drawer liners fit cleanly without trimming.

The powder-coated yellow finish is even, and the cabinet’s lines are straight. It isn’t the thickest steel I’ve used—DeWalt uses a mix of 18- and 20-gauge—but the frame is braced well enough that the carcass doesn’t rack when you push it or when you open multiple shallow drawers (more on that anti-tip consideration later).

A quick note on delivery: my unit arrived without damage, but the packaging isn’t overbuilt. If you’re receiving it by freight or curbside, inspect the lower corners and bottom edges before signing and keep the packaging until you’re sure it’s clean.

Drawer performance and layout

There are eight drawers in a sensible mix of shallow, medium, and deep. All ride on full-extension, soft-close ball‑bearing slides. The soft-close action is tuned well: the last inch pulls itself in without slamming, even with a reasonable load.

• Standard drawers are rated to 100 lb each.
• Selected drawers use double slides and handle up to 150 lb.

I loaded one of the deep drawers with an impact wrench, 4.5" grinder, a small orbital sander, and three batteries; another with sockets (3/8" and 1/2"), torque wrench, and breaker bar. No noticeable sagging, and the drawers remained square. With heavy drawers open, the cabinet stays planted if you’re on level ground, but like all boxes without an interlock, don’t open multiple heavy drawers at once. There’s no anti-tip mechanism, so common-sense use applies.

The included liners are a real plus. They’re grippy enough to keep sockets from skittering and thick enough that you don’t feel rivet heads telegraphing through.

Mobility and brakes

The casters are the right spec for a 52-inch box: 6 in. x 2 in. with two fixed and two swiveling with toe brakes. They’re rated high—up to a 2000 lb cabinet load—and the polyurethane rolls quietly over expansion joints and small debris. The brakes bite well on smooth concrete; on slightly dusty floors I still had no sliding when yanking open a loaded drawer.

The full-width tubular handle is comfortable and doesn’t flex. With two fixed casters, you’ll need a little runway to arc it into position, but that’s typical for this form factor. If your shop is tight, consider where you’ll park it before loading it heavy.

Build quality and rigidity

At 18/20-gauge steel, this is a mid-weight cabinet. The structure benefits from folded edges, good spot welds, and a stout caster plate area. It’s not as thick or as heavy as the priciest pro-grade boxes, but it’s noticeably more rigid than bargain-basement options. I did a basic twist test—grabbing the handle and opposite corner—and felt minimal flex.

The drawers fit square with even gaps; no rubbing on the slides. Edges are mostly rolled; I found one sharp paint burr inside a shallow drawer that I knocked down with a file in a minute.

Work surface and top load

The top comes with a pre-cut embossed mat. It’s grippy and fuel-resistant enough for daily tasks like small assemblies, layout, and sharpening. The cabinet’s load rating is 2000 lb, which speaks to the combination of frame and casters. I wouldn’t treat it like a heavy-anvil bench, but I had no qualms clamping a miter saw to it for an onsite day and stacking a few tool cases on top, totaling a couple hundred pounds, without any ill effects.

If you plan to use it as a primary workbench, consider adding a thicker rubber mat or a sacrificial plywood top to better handle pounding and hot work.

Organization and accessories

The two metal side rails and power tool holsters are more useful than I expected. I hung a drill and impact on one side and used the other rail with hooks and small bins for consumables. The rails accept additional DeWalt accessories like a charger mount, and because they’re just steel bars, you can adapt third-party hooks easily. I appreciate that these come in the box rather than as expensive add-ons.

Inside, eight drawers give you enough organization without creating so many skinny drawers that you lose track of where things live. With 18,500 cubic inches of storage, it handled an entire mechanic’s starter set, a woodworking hand tool kit, and still had room for batteries and PPE.

Security and safety

A central keyed lock engages all drawers. The mechanism is internal (not a cheap surface hasp), and the action is positive. I’m under no illusion that a keyed lock will deter a determined thief, but for jobsite or shared-shop use, it’s perfectly serviceable. Keys are standard cut; make spares.

Safety-wise, remember there’s no interlock. Keep heavy items low, avoid opening multiple deep drawers at once, and lock the swiveling casters when parked. Do that, and it’s stable.

Daily use

Day to day, the combination of full-extension slides and soft close makes a bigger difference than spec sheets imply. Being able to see the entire drawer at full extension speeds up work and cuts down on misplacing tools. The soft close keeps the cabinet quiet and prevents tool creep inside the drawers.

The yellow finish does show scuffs, but it wipes clean with a damp rag. The liners keep the interiors looking new, and they’re removable for cleaning.

What could be better

• No integrated power strip. The cabinet welcomes power tool storage, but you’ll need the accessory charger mount or your own solution for clean cord management.
• 20-inch depth is shop-friendly but not generous. If you’re used to 24-inch-deep pro boxes, long pry bars and specialty fixtures will feel snug.
• Packaging could be more robust. Mine arrived clean, but I’d like to see heavier corner protection given the size and weight.
• No anti-tip interlock. Common in this price/weight class, but worth noting if you have kids around the shop.

Value and alternatives

Feature-for-feature—soft-close slides, 6-inch casters, included liners and rails, and a 10-year limited warranty—this cabinet represents strong value in the mid-tier category. Heavier, deeper pro boxes exist and cost significantly more. Cheaper boxes exist but typically cut corners on slides, casters, or steel gauge. This hits a sensible middle: light professional or serious DIY use without the premium price tag.

If you need integrated power, look for models with built-in outlets. If you want maximum rigidity and depth, step up to heavier-gauge, 24-inch-deep cabinets. Otherwise, this DeWalt offers a smart blend of capacity, mobility, and features.

Who it’s for

• Home and garage users upgrading from a smaller chest or plastic solutions.
• Light to moderate professional use where mobility and capacity matter.
• Anyone who wants soft-close drawers and solid casters without the cost of a flagship box.

It’s less ideal if you need maximum drawer count for micro-organization, if you routinely load single drawers beyond 150 lb, or if you must have built-in power and anti-tip features.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 52-inch rolling cabinet. It delivers the right fundamentals—smooth full‑extension soft‑close drawers, stout 6-inch casters, useful side rails and holsters, and a practical worktop—backed by a 10‑year limited warranty. The steel is mid-weight, not tank-like, but the structure is rigid where it counts, and the drawers hold their ratings without drama. Add in the included liners, straightforward assembly, and real-world mobility, and you get a cabinet that’s easy to live with and capable of growing with your shop. If you need deeper drawers or integrated power, there are heavier options; for most garages and light pro environments, this strikes an excellent balance of capacity, quality, and price.