Looking for saw horse recommendations . . . I’m done!

[IRQVET]

Looking for saw horse recommendations . . . I’m done with the cheap plastic folding saw horses. Looking to upgrade to something more substancial but also DIY freindly as I’m not making a living with this stuff.

Looking at the Dewalt or the more expensive Bora alternative. Need real world advice.

Go!

 

[KSJeff]

Harbor Freight has two Bauer versions. I have the more expensive 1300lb set. $50/each. Been solid for me.

 

[Snapped-off]

Picked up the Masterforce metal stands recently. They seem pretty good.

Not sure if Menards is down south that far or not.

 

[Black300zx]

I've got a pair of these dewalts and I like them a lot. Sturdy, height adjustable, collapse easily to store. Insert a couple 2x4x8s into the grooves and you can make a really large work surface. I don't, however, remember paying THAT much for them. Yeesh.

DEWALT 33 in. H Metal Folding Sawhorse with Adjustable Legs DWST11031 - The Home Depot

Adjustable Metal Legs Sawhorse from DEWALT provides a secure working foundation on uneven surfaces. Comes with rubber inserts on legs for stability.

www.homedepot.com

 

[AC-WC]

Ebco all the way. Super light weight, super strong, easy setup.

EBCO® Storaway™ Folding Steel Sawhorse

Steel folding sawhorse holds up to 2,000 lbs. per pair (each sawhorse sold individually). All-steel construction is galvanized to protect from rust and corrosion. Compact design has folding legs for easy storage and transport."

www.menards.com

 

[Rusted Nut]

Toughbuilt. I bought a pair of these for the carpenters on a commercial project two years ago, they’re still going strong.

Sawhorses | Saw Horse Table | ToughBuilt — TOUGHBUILT

Premium ToughBuilt signature Sawhorses are all made with 100% Steel Construction, Heavy-duty Powder Coast and Zinc-Plate finishes. For any tough job, ToughBuilt!

toughbuilt.com

 

[wandrur]

Another vote for Toughbuilt here.

 

[NORDFORD]

You can screw straight or you can screw around. Screw straight. Stablemate is what you want…

Professional Grade Sawhorse

A StableMate Professional Grace Sawhorse will be "the last sawhorse you will ever need" as it is made to withstand the toughest of projects. Each sawhorse folds up for easy storage and transporting, and has a weight capacity of 1,500 pounds. Stablemate Sawhorses are great for house projects...

www.fultoncorp.com

 

[Dakotadadv8]

OP I have sets of Kobalt plastic sawhorses from Lowes they are great, insert 2x4s they are even better. Easy to fold when done and light. Put on 1/2 plywood makes great work table and miter saw table.

 

[RTM]

I have a pair of something like these, and they've met all my DIY needs. Just scored these cheap at a GS, after experience with the ones listed below the link.

Vulcan Vulcan YH-SH017 Folding Sawhorse, 1200 lb Weight Capacity, Steel YH-SH017 | Zoro

Order Vulcan Vulcan YH-SH017 Folding Sawhorse, 1200 lb Weight Capacity, Steel, YH-SH017 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

Have another similar pair, but height adjustable, and they've been holding up a vacuum press for the past 10+ years, had them for over 20.

Top pair is still bare, lower pair has a 2x6 on top, slightly longer to be able to clamp to the ends.

 

[AFSOC]

Toughbuilt C700s. I love everything about them, save their weight.

 

[BTL-A4]

+ one more on the Toughbuilt (TB-C550 ot C700). I broke some other ones I had and went with these and they've held up well. I have 4 of them. They are $50.


I also really like my Dewalt folding table (Model# DWST11556). It sets up in about 5 seconds, so I actually use it more than I do my older Craftsman one that takes about 2 minutes to set up. The Cman has an electrical plug, which I like. I use both quite often on projects.

 

[nafterclifen]

If space is a concern, check out the Burro folding sawhorses. They travel well (in the car, truck, etc) so they really come in handy.

Burro Brand 29 in. Wooden Folding Burro Sawhorse (2-Pack) FBP - The Home Depot

The AMAZING 29 in. Folding Burro sawhorse is strong, light-weight (7.5 lbs.), compact and easy to carry. The Folding Burro holds over 3600 lbs. per pair and can be set-up for use or ready to put away in a matter of seconds. Once folded down it can be stored away into the tightest of spaces...

www.homedepot.com

 

[Nutria]

Ebco all the way. Super light weight, super strong, easy setup.

Inexpensive too.

 

[LopezBart]

There are lots of plans on the web for wooden and steel saw horses. Kicking the legs out a bit along the direction of the support beam really helps stability when you're pushing things. If you really abuse them, skip the folding ones; even some heavy duty metal folding sawhorses didn't like a 350 lb cedar log...

For those who subscribe to the "there's no kill like overkill" school:

 

[Beemer]

Trojan Saw Horse Legs, pretty heavy duty.

 

[nadogail]

I built my own from common lumber, loaded them heavily with Harde Plank and was surprised they carried all the weight .
They are still firm and strong.

If in doubt; build it stout.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have these as well as a set sold by Menards under the Masterforce name, I think they are the same. Harbor Freight has a copy cat set that is probably just as good. The slots allow for 2X lumber to fit in. A couple of 2X4's and plywood and you have a table supported the entire length.. A couple 2X6's and you have an elevated top for cutting without worrying about cutting into the horses.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B8TVVQX/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[RMERR]

Funny, I was just shopping/researching these this morning. I've got 6 of the 29" Burro fixed frame, but even stacked they take up too much space. I've looked at them all, but I'm really leaning towards the Rigid brand, wood across the top and aluminum legs. But the deal maker for me is adjustable height (I'm 6'2"), they adjust from 31"-39" H. Whenever I've had to spend much time working over the Burro sawhorses, my back is always a little sore later. That's just too low for me to working at.

 

[dchawk81]

I built my own from common lumber, loaded them heavily with Harde Plank and was surprised they carried all the weight .
They are still firm and strong.

If in doubt; build it stout.

I was about to say I've never needed sawhorses but I remember my dad building his when I was a kid. They don't fold so they aren't like these fancy manufactured ones but they're cheap and sturdy.

 

[Lassen Forge]

What ever happened to those reinforced sheet metal clamps (spring loaded) that you used lumber (generally 2x4's, tho I had a set for 4x4's) for the legs and the top runner and made your own sawhorses? You can screw/nail them together or leave them so they come back apart and store in no space whatsoever...

 

[antman213]

The new sheet metal style like toughbilt are garbage. In short order all the little extras break. Simple is better for items like this

 

[carmantl]

BORA

 

[danski0224]

I've used the plastic ones for years.

No issues. But maybe I'm not asking too much of them.

 

[KnurledNut]

Have used the USA Fulton TS-110S for so long, nothing else seems adequate. Compact, extremely strong, bulletproof, no frills.
I cant stand the majority of current offerings. Under-built and overcomplicated.
Unfortunately, these are NLA. Their are similar versions from other companies that are close enough to the original that I would go with them if looking.

https://www.toolboxsupply.com/produ...ding-sawhorse-2000-lb-25-h-x-38-w-steel-black

 

[danski0224]

The folding adjustable ones that fold into themselves like above do not fold once adjusted to a different height.

Ease of adjustment should be considered if setup and breakdown happens. The model above was a pain with the fiddly wing nuts.

Tapco has (or had) a tall adjustable horse that's quite sturdy. These do not appear to be available any longer. The Beechcraft Bronco looks identical, maybe they were the OEM for Tapco.

 

[jrsavoie]

You can screw straight or you can screw around. Screw straight. Stablemate is what you want…

Professional Grade Sawhorse

A StableMate Professional Grace Sawhorse will be "the last sawhorse you will ever need" as it is made to withstand the toughest of projects. Each sawhorse folds up for easy storage and transporting, and has a weight capacity of 1,500 pounds. Stablemate Sawhorses are great for house projects...

www.fultoncorp.com

I can't screw, drill or tap straight without a guide anymore.
I have no idea what happened to me.

 

[Max]

The folding adjustable ones that fold into themselves like above do not fold once adjusted to a different height.

Ease of adjustment should be considered if setup and breakdown happens. The model above was a pain with the fiddly wing nuts.

Tapco has (or had) a tall adjustable horse that's quite sturdy.

I have the adjustable ones and agree 100% with you. I do use them rarely, but the are a PITA to use.

However, the ones @KnurledNut posted about are not adjustable and should be better to use…

 

[slowtwitch73]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000224RN/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sparky 1971]

The new sheet metal style like toughbilt are garbage. In short order all the little extras break. Simple is better for items like this

They must have changed them. I've had my Toughbilts since 2011. I'm not a framer so they don't get used all that often, but probably about 10X a year. I know of no little extras and AFIK, nothing has broken..yet. I had them on a job and needed horses at home that were decent so I went to Menards to buy another set, that's when I bought the Masterforce which I believe are the same thing other than color, probably the same OEM. Nothing bad has happened with those either and I've had them since I believe 2016. My only problem is the potential finger pinch when folding them up, but that would be operator error in not paying attention.

 

[RonnieC]

I built a pair of I-beam sawhorses from 2x4’s with plywood gussets. Came out nice.
YouTube guy Next Level Carpentry has a video on them.

 

[cgrutt]

I have a few sets of the plastic ones everything from really cheap no frills to a fairly expensive set of dewalts with some adjustments (height, etc). I also have a set of boras that have been set up with a piece of plywood and left outdoors since beginning of summer. Just recently used a pair of metal folding ones like the Stablemate linked above. They all worked fine and do what they're supposed to do. My friend's pair was a PITA to fold back up not sure if legs were bent but couldn't get them back in place when I was done. If I had to pic just one set it would be the Boras without a doubt strongest of the bunch and takes up the least amount of space when folded up. Important to screw a piece of 2x4 on top of the metal ones so you don't cut through them if you go that route. I also have and have used other's B&D workmates not my first preference but they have their place too.

 

[PlanB]

Find a plan on the web, hit the lumber yard and build em.

 

[Toolfool]

I have two sets of these. Been using them (GC/carpenter) for close to 30 years. have stacked 25+ sheets of wonderboard on a set without an issue. Attach a 2x to the top of each one and you're set. The adjustable height is a bonus. And they fold up to store easily.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PQMTJW2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[KnurledNut]

The folding adjustable ones that fold into themselves like above do not fold once adjusted to a different height.

Ease of adjustment should be considered if setup and breakdown happens. The model above was a pain with the fiddly wing nuts.

Tapco has (or had) a tall adjustable horse that's quite sturdy. These do not appear to be available any longer. The Beechcraft Bronco looks identical, maybe they were the OEM for Tapco.

The ones I mentioned dont adjust. I even included a picture.

 

[jar944]

 

[BombShelter]

I love my Centipede (now made by Bora), I have 1.5"-4'x8' foam board I place on top and use my track saw all day long.

https://boracentipede.com/

 

[dscheidt]

What ever happened to those reinforced sheet metal clamps (spring loaded) that you used lumber (generally 2x4's, tho I had a set for 4x4's) for the legs and the top runner and made your own sawhorses? You can screw/nail them together or leave them so they come back apart and store in no space whatsoever...

they're still around, they still ****. (My sawhorses are this style. I was reading this thread in hope of finding something else.) done right, with angled cuts on the legs, etc, they're sturdy enough for any sort of framing stuff, and they're cheap enough.

 

[danski0224]

The ones I mentioned dont adjust. I even included a picture.

I obviously didn't look closely enough.

I have the same ones, but adjustable.

 

[andys]

I have a pair of plastic folding ones with a plywood top screwed to pair of 2x4s on edge. The whole table is mounted to a pair of HF furniture dollies so it rolls all around the basement.

I also have the sheet metal clamps that use 2x lumber to make any size you want. Currently, there's a pair of these holding about 100 2x4s in my garage. They've been in that spot with varying loads for a few months now and are 100% sturdy.

Like you, this isn't my living so maybe a fresh pair of plastic horses is the answer.