Butcher Block Bench: Husky, Gladiator, ?

[victor252]

Hey GJ,

I'm looking to get (2) 6' butcher block workbenches that would first function as a kitchen island and a computer work station, and later become sturdy work benches in my garage. I'm not a tradesman but I don't like buying wobbly junk. I'm looking at the $400 price area and I have these options on my radar:

1) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-H...pip_alternatives-_-312383950-_-306659735-_-N&

2) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-6...-Solid-Wood-Top-Workbench-G7200S-US/206288247

3) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gladiat...ight-Birch-Top-Workbench-GAWB06HWEG/206390573

What do you all think? Am I missing something? Is there a better option in this price point?

 

[boatshoes]

I have option 2 (8-foot version) but would also consider option 3. Option 2 is ridiculously stout. I don't understand the folding legs part of option 1, who's going to fold up a 120lb table and store it?

 

[bob15]

Not sure where you live, but look on C-list and F-B for better and thicker tops. The HD's I've seen are only 1.25" thick. The ones we had at work are a full 2" thick top which equals a big difference in strength.

 

[victor252]

I have option 2 (8-foot version) but would also consider option 3. Option 2 is ridiculously stout. I don't understand the folding legs part of option 1, who's going to fold up a 120lb table and store it?

I think the best things about option 1 is that it appears to use heavier gauge steel than option 2, and I like the embedded power strip but it's not critical.

 

[boatshoes]

I think the best things about option 1 is that it appears to use heavier gauge steel than option 2, and I like the embedded power strip but it's not critical.

OK, they say the steel is different, but the weight capacity of option 1 is 700lbs less than option 2. So you're paying more for less capacity (and 20lbs more weight to lug around).
I too like the built in power strip but I'd find a way to attach one.

Edit: the reviews are pretty negative about the stability of the folding legs

 

[victor252]

OK, they say the steel is different, but the weight capacity of option 1 is 700lbs less than option 2. So you're paying more for less capacity (and 20lbs more weight to lug around).
I too like the built in power strip but I'd find a way to attach one.

Edit: the reviews are pretty negative about the stability of the folding legs

I think you've convinced me not to go with option 1. Option 2 might be harder to mount a vise to than the Gladiator bench but those additional cross members might make it more stable.

I'm surprised no one here seems to have experience/opinions on these two work benches. We do have a long running thread on work benches but I guess everyone else is building their own.

 

[boatshoes]

My vise is mounted with wood screws but I don't load it up so it doesn't need to be overbuilt. Your other option is to add a topper wood piece under your vise that can be secured with through-bolts wherever you need, then have some studs coming up through for the vise.

 

[Max]

I just went through the same search and ordered the gladiator bench. It's got a much thicker top (1.75" vs 1.25") and they specify the wood as Birch. Option 1 supports 700 less lbs because it has folding legs so the supporting bench structure is not as rigid.

I want to mount a woodworking vise to the underside of one of the benches (I bought two) and it looked like it'll be a lot easier to do with the gladiator. Still, until I get the benches built, that is just a theory.

Pluses for the Husky bench is 18 ga. vs. 20 for the gladiator, and it's got a wider space below between the legs (64" vs. 57.5") if you are putting stuff under the bench where it matters.

If you wade through all of the reviews and Q&A you can pretty much get whatever details you want...

I did find some very nice benches that were more expensive: https://www.zoro.com/proline-workstation-solid-maple-lt-blue-hd6030mhdle-l14/i/G1113091/ at about $700 a pop. But the metal underneath was going to be an issue for my wood vise, so I dumped that option...

 

[driftpin]

I expect you will be happy with the Gladiator. I'm not-sure about the pricing for the butcher block top, I suspect there may be other sources for that which might beat the price Gladiator has. I know IKEA has some wood countertops at not-bad pricing, and if it's not thick-enough, just use one or two pieces of 3/4" plywood as underlayment. I just looked, they have 8 ft X 1-1/2" countertops:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/thic...ce-measurement:98x1 1/2 "$98x1 1/2 "_worktops

I bought a no-wood top Gladiator workbench which appears identical to the one pictured in your link, I bought it off craigslist, I think I paid $60. I had a piece of 3/4" plywood I used for the top, and it's now serving in my shop. I don't need a 1-1/2" or 2" thick top for the work I do, I'm using the workbenches to hold top-boxes and tools (a drill press), and supplies on HFT wheeled dollies underneath. Our son has a couple of the Gladiators in his garage, and I was impressed with the stout construction. I have a lot of Gladiator Premier welded steel, powdercoated cabinets, and think the Whirlpool Corp. has turned-out a good value for the $. I bought them on-sale at a considerable discount. I also re-configured some Gladiator shelving for storage in the space of the garage side-wall returns (I narrowed the depth-before and after pic), and I am very-happy with how they turned-out.

 

[mbunimog]

I have several 2 inch thick butcher block table tops if anyone is interested. Got a bunch at an auction and used several for work benches but still have left overs. The biggest one was 10 ft long by 36 inch wide but most are 6 ft long. They are very heavy

 

[gerryw]

Ikea used to sell butcher block tops, had one on my classic 96 , held up very well.

Gerry

 

[Shiftless]

Ikea used to sell butcher block tops, had one on my classic 96 , held up very well.

Gerry

I’m happy with my IKEA butcher block top. For purists, it’s not a “true” butcher block. Butcher blocks have vertical blocks of wood with the end grain exposed on top.
I’m told the latest IKEA butcher blocks are made like laminated flooring.
My older one has 1 1/2 inch wide strips glued together sideways. Expand this thumbnail pic to see what I mean.

Maybe this isn’t pertinent to your question because as you can see, this is a home made bench. There is framing lumber as well as some MDF under the IKEA top for a total thickness of 3 3/4 inches.

 

[victor252]

Thank you all for the responses. I'm leaning towards the Gladiator although the Husky is still a nice looking bench. I think the Gladiator might be more comfortable as a computer desk without having that angle iron cross piece like the Husky uses. I think the Gladiator will also be slightly cheaper with a veteran's discount through Lowe's. But if the I can't get a pair of them in a reasonable time-frame, I can always fall back on the Husky option.

Boatshoes made a good point about a better way to mount a vise.

Mbun, thanks for the offer of the butcher block, but I think I'll just order a pair of benches rather than spec out legs and tops.

I still welcome any comments or opinions.

 

[Mike Folks]

Go to www.grizzly.com find their T21250 Butcher Block top. 6Ft X 30", 2.50" thick

 

[victor252]

Update:
Home Depot has a sale on their Husky benches and storage products. On the advice of this forum, I bought option (2) for $246. It will go in my kitchen where I can put a couple shelves under it for more storage. I'm still leaning towards the Gladiator for the desk but I wanted to say thanks to boatshoes and others. Here's the deal:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-R...od-Top-Workbench-in-Black-G7200S-US/206288247

 

[justnutsandbolts]

Buy used and save. Where are you located?

 

[victor252]

I'm in Virginia near D.C.

 

[victor252]

Second update:
Lowe's has a sale on the Gladiator workbenches (possibly in response to the HD sale. Gotta love competition!). The price is marked down from $400 to $360 and a veteran's discount for another $36 still works. I ordered a 72" Gladiator workbench. I'll compare it to the Husky 72" offering when I pick them up in a couple weeks.

Once again, thanks for the advice, everyone.

 

[Max]

My benches came in - the gladiator #3 option. They are very sturdy and my woodworking vise fit underneath no problem. I am very happy with them.

 

[B T C]

I have a 72" Gladiator bench that I bought several years ago. They're quality benches, imo. Mine has the maple top, which they no longer appear to offer.

 

[Fatboy148]

I have a 72" Gladiator bench that I bought several years ago. They're quality benches, imo. Mine has the maple top, which they no longer appear to offer.

Same here. I currently use it to stack "stuff" on. I found it not deep enough for a workbench. For the workbench, I ended up making one with a 30" x 12' maple top that I bought new off Facebook Marketplace. I put the top over a "Steevo" style steel structure.

 

[victor252]

Here's the 72 inch Husky acting as an extra counter for my kitchen. I'll add a shelf or two underneath when I feel the need.