Good saw horses

signcrafter · Nov 28, 2020

I've gone through a bunch of different saw horses over the years and haven't found anything I've liked. Right now I have 4 of these and they are horrible.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...857146263.htm?tid=-7279314539802695586&ipos=1

They looked good and felt good when bought but the folding hinges ****. The screws fall out and the hinge binds and it's just not a good saw horse.

I'd like something that folds for storage and portability and works as it should. I'm willing to spend some money on them so I get something that is strong and works good.

mark#3 · Nov 28, 2020

I have the 'original store horse' saw horse, which is a very good 'horse'.Of course this is from a long time ago so the quality is superior to what is made today.But maybe not.Also maybe they still make them?

lardy1 · Nov 28, 2020

I've had good luck with the folding sheet metal ones. I forget the brand name. I'm on my third set in the last forty years or so.

Chucktin · Nov 28, 2020

Don't forget a sacrificial cap for any saw horses.

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RTM · Nov 28, 2020

I have two pairs of folding metal ones, one height adjustable, one not. My first pair are 20+ years old. They took a little while to break in where they would fold easily, but last time I did was a cakewalk. The new ones seemed cheesy last I looked. I have a 2x6 flat on top of the fist set, need to get one for the 2nd pair, a GS find. Will add the metal gauge later when I am up and moving.

Oops, forgot to measure. They look like these, one adjustable, one not

https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/allied-international-59504a

Paul_The_Builder · Nov 28, 2020

I have 4 of the DeWalt brand sawhorses from Home Depot, and I'm quite happy with them. They hit a good balance of foldability, durability, and sturdiness, while being lightweight and not cheap but not crazy expensive.

I used a pair of these sawhorses to hold 200lbs of Granite while I was cutting in a sink, so they're definitely sturdy.

nafterclifen · Nov 28, 2020

Like you, I don't have space to store a non-folding sawhorse. So I built my own (see #3 in the link below). I like them a lot but they aren't exactly light.

Collapsible Sawhorse with a Built-In Shelf

Another option, which I just purchased, is the "Hide a Horse" sawhorse. Interesting concept. They are light but also stable and sturdy. The original owner used to make a standard height (29") and tall height (34") but he sold out to Burro and they only make the standard height. If you do buy them, Home Depot has the best price. All links are below.

Original Company - https://hideahorsefoldingsawhorses.com
New Company - https://www.burrobrand.com
Home Depot - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Burro-Brand-29-in-Wooden-Folding-Burro-Sawhorse-2-Pack-FBP/313328953

signcrafter · Nov 28, 2020

Anyone have something similar to these?

https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/trojan-ts-27-tall-contractor-quality-sawhorse
Looks interesting. Just throw a 2x of whatever length in them and they set up quick. Says 1000 pound capacity per horse and lifetime warranty.

Otherwise there is these, 500 pound rating but still look quality and are a full saw horse, no 2x material needed.

https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/port-a-mate-pm-3300t

Gummi Bear · Nov 28, 2020

I bought some Zag folding sawhorses when I remodeled back in 01

They’re still doing great. They’re lightweight and sturdy. Easy to store.

It looks like Stanley has bought out Zag. They offer something similar

https://www.acehardware.com/departm...0a62663205cc10918f6339f0b6c881f4&gclsrc=3p.ds

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

LB-1911 · Nov 28, 2020

signcrafter said:
I've gone through a bunch of different saw horses over the years and haven't found anything I've liked.

I'd like something that folds for storage and portability and works as it should. I'm willing to spend some money on them so I get something that is strong and works good.

"Déjà vu all over again"

LB-1911 said:
Unless you have already tried and dismissed them - Give these a look

https://www.guardianfall.com/performance-safety-products/jobsite-equipment/product/sawhorse

Downwindtracker 2 · Nov 28, 2020

I could make some, but good fir 2x8 and 1x6 is really hard to come by , instead I bought a set of 2' and 3' folding aluminum ones. Like these https://www.rona.ca/en/featherlite-...ZrgJjqyPPVIqRuYB3cUaAjFAEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

dsimatt · Nov 28, 2020

I have these https://www.homedepot.com/p/TOUGHBU...site-Table-1300-lb-Capacity-TB-C700/205870356 they look similar to what you have but i really like them.

signcrafter · Nov 28, 2020

LB-1911 said:
"Déjà vu all over again"

I thought I had already made a thread on horses but when I searched this morning nothing came up. I never did get a new pair after that last thread and forgot about posting. Thanks.

metaldad · Nov 28, 2020

i also have the menards horses.
only thing i dont like, and i havent had the time, are the sharp edges.
ill dress with a grinder, eventually

Cheepbeer · Nov 28, 2020

signcrafter said:
I've gone through a bunch of different saw horses over the years and haven't found anything I've liked. Right now I have 4 of these and they are horrible.

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...857146263.htm?tid=-7279314539802695586&ipos=1

They looked good and felt good when bought but the folding hinges ****. The screws fall out and the hinge binds and it's just not a good saw horse.

I'd like something that folds for storage and portability and works as it should. I'm willing to spend some money on them so I get something that is strong and works good.

I’ve got the Lowe’s brand of those, yes they’re horrible. The cheapie plastic things I’ve got are more stable.

Rinspeed · Nov 28, 2020

I have a couple of the cheap Stanley adjustable and they are cheap but they do work.

joshmodelskidoo · Nov 28, 2020

Pulled some of these out of the trash and hammered them straight. I like them and the price was right. 24-in W x 29-in H Steel Saw Horse (1000-lb Capacity) https://www.lowes.com/pd/EBCO-24-in-W-x-29-in-H-Steel-Saw-Horse-1-000-lb-Capacity/3073379

Indexmill · Nov 28, 2020

Honestly, I am amazed at how usable even a cheap plastic set is. Give it a try before over thinking it.

nafterclifen · Nov 28, 2020

I used plastic horses before. Junk. JUNK! Not reliable, AT ALL. Once it fails, it's done for. And it will fail. So don't even bother or waste your time. Unless all that you're going to lay on it is 1/4" round trim or something.

Ralf11 · Nov 29, 2020

^ Bingo - I got a year out of them, waste of petroleum to make the plastic junk

Mohawk Dave · Nov 29, 2020

I was a framer for many years, and I still have and love my sets.

USA Made Trojan - ...they are HEAVY.

So, I use those for heavy stuff and then I have the HF metal folding things that screw to 2x4s and those stay outside in the weather and are "disposable" but get used for lightweight work like painting stuff etc.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000224RO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

BFHtime · Nov 29, 2020

I have always like making my own out of wood, although not collapsible. Those Trojans steel legs look great!! Foldable and strong looking. I have used some steel leg horse that were on the sloppy loose side. Also the thin steel horses tend to flex.

Downwindtracker 2 · Nov 29, 2020

I chose those folding aluminum , like guys who chose Snap-On, they are professional grade tools. For just sawing , you want something about 2' tall. A single one with a wide top, they use to be made out of 2x8s, for cutting a 2x4s. And a couple with sacrificial 2x4s for cutting plywood. I'm 6'1" with long arms and even 2' can be a stretch cross cutting plywood. I also bought two 3'ers, these are used a bench legs . I throw a piece of ply wood on them and I have bench beside what I'm working on . I can put my miter saw on it ,too

I paid $ 52.50 for the 2'ers and $75 for the 3'ers each. I consider it money extremely well spent, and I'm cheap.

jwsia · Nov 29, 2020

Ive got 2 pair these. Expensive but sturdy and made to last. They have gone up in price aLOT

https://www.fultoncorp.com/stablemate-folding-steel-sawhorse/

Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009XXDIE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

GrantCee · Nov 29, 2020

RTM said:
I have two pairs of folding metal ones, one height adjustable, one not. My first pair are 20+ years old. They took a little while to break in where they would fold easily, but last time I did was a cakewalk. The new ones seemed cheesy last I looked. I have a 2x6 flat on top of the fist set, need to get one for the 2nd pair, a GS find. Will add the metal gauge later when I am up and moving.
https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/allied-international-59504a

I've had a pair of these for about 15 years. They're wobbly until the legs are pulled out so that they're tensioned against the pair at the other end. Once done, they're pretty sturdy. I've had 1500 lbs of Hardi-Panel siding on them with no problem.

Mine didn't come drilled to attach a sacrificial 2x4 or 2x6, which struck me as odd, but easily corrected.

justanengineer · Nov 29, 2020

I've had the OP set for a decade now and beat on them hard through quite a few full renos and many smaller projects without complaint. They're solid side-side when hand planing and I've had 1k lb machine parts on them several times without worry.

tube_guy · Nov 29, 2020

Folding or not, once you use a pair like these, you won't go back to anything else unless you're traveling with them.

Make them out of pine and they're very lightweight and really very strong. I'm sure I've had about a ton on mine, and they were extremely stable. My wife and I even used them as a staging that we would stand on to do some painting.

Dimension them right, and they are stack-able to save space.

Downwindtracker 2 · Nov 29, 2020

I love Paul Sellers, but he is an English cabinetmaker not a carpenter, This is what a sawhorse should look like https://www.finewoodworking.com/2007/01/09/build-a-classic-sawhorse
The interior cross brace is optional and the taper should start half way down the leg. When I started as carpenter, the first thing the foreman asked you to do was to make a pair of sawhorses. For some carpenters, it was their first and last day.

jeepinerdeep · Nov 29, 2020

I use a pair of these for real work. Dewalt work stands.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...VRbKGCh2DbgBtEAQYASABEgLQl_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I built a steel staircase on them. Solid as a rock and the folding bits are stout.

Cheepbeer · Jan 26, 2021

https://www.ruralking.com/crimson-adjustable-steel-sawhorse-1300lb-24970001

I leaned on one of these the other day. Ten times more stable than the kobalt junk I've got.

Chucktin · Jan 27, 2021

Those RK sawhorses don't look that different from the Kobalt, Dewalt, etc variety. What makes them different and superior then?

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tarbellb · Jan 28, 2021

Not a sawhorse, more of a work platform.

Bora Centipede- https://boratool.com/work-stands/centipede-work-supports

Personally I grabbed two 4x4 models, cut a sheet of 3/4" ply in half, and use one or both as work stations out on site.

Cheepbeer · Feb 3, 2021

Chucktin said:
Those RK sawhorses don't look that different from the Kobalt, Dewalt, etc variety. What makes them different and superior then?

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I don't really know, all I did is feel one and it's not wobbly and sharp like my kobalt ones.

Chucktin · Feb 3, 2021

Thanks, our next trip to RK I'll check them out.

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Ign · Feb 3, 2021

If you want the folding sheetmetal ones, the Fulton Handy Horse is the heaviest, most robust and most rigid I've laid hands on.

Lowe's sells a variant almost as good.

The HDX ones at HD are beyond pathetic. Way too thin of material, poor design, super flimsy....just a joke all around

BBQguy · Feb 3, 2021

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-37-8-in-W-x-32-in-H-Adjustable-Steel-Saw-Horse-1-100-lb-Capacity/1001182062

I have a set of these.
They fold up and store nicely. Totally solid once you get some weight on them. I have put a sheet of plywood for a work surface on my set and applied most of my fat *** weight. Rock solid.

Chucktin · Feb 3, 2021

I notice most posters talk here about having a pair of sawhorses. I believe that's a mistake. You need at least 3 so that there's support for the "waste" you cut off and it (the cut off) does not pinch the saw blade, which can be dangerous.

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Ign · Feb 3, 2021

jwsia said:
Ive got 2 pair these. Expensive but sturdy and made to last. They have gone up in price aLOT

https://www.fultoncorp.com/stablemate-folding-steel-sawhorse/

Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009XXDIE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Wasn't aware of their StableMate model. Looks nice but spendy as you mentioned.

The Handy Horse hovers around $50, I think I got one on Amazon for $37 shipped awhile back. Not as large as the StableMate but still of respectable quality for stamped sheetmetal
https://www.fultoncorp.com/handy-horse-galvanized-steel-folding-sawhorse/

Ign · Feb 3, 2021

Chucktin said:
I notice most posters talk here about having a pair of sawhorses. I believe that's a mistake. You need at least 3 so that there's support for the "waste" you cut off and it (the cut off) does not pinch the saw blade, which can be dangerous.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

I rarely actually do any work on my sawhorses. They're just temporary staging areas to store stock off the ground, so I use pairs almost exclusively

slowtwitch73 · Feb 3, 2021

Trojan. I got sick of building 'horses, throwing away rotten ones, storing them, etc etc.

Trojans are there when I need, out of the way when I don't. Need a 10' wide horse? No problem. Need two different heights, no problem.

Good saw horses

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