Unique Uses for Sawhorses in Woodworking
Contents
Most people buy one of the best sawhorses to support boards for cutting. But a pair of sawhorses can do much more. Here are some extra ways to use them.
#1. Workbench
If you need to have a portable workbench, then all you need are a couple of sawhorses and a plank of wood. Clamp the wood to the sawhorses and you’ll have a stable working surface. You can even create a more permanent option by screwing your wood plank to the top of the sawhorse platform.
#2. Low Work Platform (Not Scaffolding)
Do not use sawhorses as scaffolding. OSHA’s scaffold standard says scaffolds must rest on stable footings and that unstable objects must not be used to support them. Most sawhorses are not rated as a work platform.
For work at height, use a ladder or a rated work platform. A sawhorse pair is fine for holding long material at a comfortable working height.
#3. Drying Rack
Set up a pair of sawhorses in a dust-free area, then lay thin boards or strips across them. Set freshly finished cabinet doors or trim on top to dry. If the finish gives off fumes, keep the area ventilated.
#4. Jobsite Table
Lay a sheet of plywood across two sawhorses for an instant job site table. A plywood shelf across the lower braces adds storage for tools.
#5. Space Buffer
Set a few sawhorses around your work area and run caution tape between them to keep people, especially kids, out of the cutting zone.
#6. Cutting Grid
Lay several sacrificial boards across a pair of sawhorses to make a cutting grid. Set the circular saw depth just below the workpiece and cut between the boards. The grid supports both sides of the cut, so the offcut does not drop and pinch the blade, which helps reduce kickback.
Sawhorses support your cuts, and with a sheet of plywood or a few boards, they also become a bench, a table or a drying rack. Always check the load rating before you put weight on them.
