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A sawhorse goes by several names—buck, sawbuck, trestle. It’s even called mule or pony by some woodworkers. Whatever you call it, it’s that beam with A-frame supports on both ends. Its job is to keep steady the material you’re cutting.
A bit of history—the earliest form of the sawhorse was a three-legged prop for cutting logs called saw-goat. In the 18th century, it evolved into its four-legged cousin, which is the predecessor of our modern sawhorses.
Much has changed since then. The most notable innovations include the use of materials that are lighter and stronger than old-fashioned sawhorses. Also, with the increasing need for portability and ease of storing tools, most of the present versions can now be folded.
Sawhorses are typically used in pairs, though several applications require only one piece. You may use it as a makeshift table, workbench, platform, scaffold, or barrier. Whether you decide to buy or build one yourself, what’s certain is that you’ll find this piece handy in your workshop or garage. It’s like an assistant or an extra pair of hands.
The advantage of building a sawhorse is that you can customize it to the exact specs that you need. On the other hand, the easier route will be to buy it off the rack. If the latter sounds more like you, you’ll have to do your homework to find the folding sawhorse that meets your needs. Our guide below will give you a head start.
 |  |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | ToughBuilt C700 Sawhorse | Worx Pegasus WX051 Work Table and Sawhorse | 3. DeWalt DWX725 Heavy Duty Work Stand | 4. Black + Decker WM125 Workmate Portable Work Bench | 5. Stanley STST60952 Jr Folding Sawhorse |
| Total capacity, pounds | 1300 | 1000 | 1000 | 350 | 800 |
| Material | Steel | Plastic | Aluminum | Wood/steel | Plastic |
| Single or pair | Single | Single | Single | Single | Pair |
| Weight, pounds | 23.04 | 28 | 15.4 | 15 | 10.6 |
| Adjustable height | ✓ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Max height, inches | 32.09” | 32” | 32” | 30” | 22” |
| Portable | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | 3-year limited warranty | 3-year limited warranty | 2-year warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Our review | Review | Review | Review | Review | Review |
| Where to buy |
Guide to buying the right folding sawhorse
Though shopping for this tool is quite straightforward, there are some specifications that need to be matched to your needs. Start by asking the following questions.
Capacity – what weight does it support? It must be capable of supporting the materials that you typically handle in your shop.
Material – is it made of wood, hard plastic, or metal? Plastic is lighter and easier to handle than other materials but will not be as durable as steel. Wood is sturdy and produces no clanging sounds but can be unwieldy. There are other materials, like aluminum and combination types, and you’ll have to decide which ones are preferable under your working conditions.
Height – most sawhorses are adjustable, but does it have the height levels that are comfortable to you and the other users in your shop?
Durability – does it have a sturdy build? Too many folding parts in a sawhorse may compromise its stability and strength.
Portability – do you need a sawhorse that you can move now and then? If so, then it must fold and open easily, have a lifting handle, and not weigh so much. Conversely, if you’re looking to have a permanent fixture, then portability doesn’t matter so much.
Storage – is its footprint in harmony with your workspace? When not in use, can you fold and pack it away to a corner so that it occupies less space?
Other features – thoughtful details, added functionalities, and package extras will no doubt catch your eye. Some sawhorses come in pairs or with repair kits. Others multitask as a ladder or a workshop table. These are nifty features, we understand, but not enough reason to buy right away.
What are we saying? Be an intelligent buyer. Don’t buy on impulse or base your decision solely on attractive details. Sure, you can factor these things into your final choice, but always keep one eye on the critical specs mentioned above. Shortlist products based on this piece of advice, and you’ll be fine.
We’ve created a Top 5 list below to help you along with your search.
Top 5 Best Folding Sawhorses for 2019
1. ToughBuilt C700 Sawhorse
- Total capacity, pounds: 1300
- Material: Steel
- Single or pair: Single
- Weight, pounds: 23.04
- Adjustable height: ✓
- Max height, inches: 32.09”
- Portable: ✓
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
If you’re looking for a sawhorse that’s built to last, then ToughBuilt’s C700 should be first on your list. Its solid steel construction makes it the ideal support for handling and cutting heavy materials. You can adjust its height from 25” to 32”, and fold it to a compact size of 39.84” x 5.12” x 5.51”. It is sold as a single sawhorse, but if you buy two units, you can easily convert the pair to a multitasking job site table with a total maximum bearing capacity of 2600 lb. In terms of strength, height adjustability, and cost-effectiveness, we believe C700 is one of the best folding sawhorses out there.
- Telescoping legs – legs adjust to different height settings.
- Lock on folding legs – when set up, the folding parts lock in place for overall stability.
- Pivoting feet – this design makes setting up on uneven terrain easy; the flat base prevents sinking on gravel or dirt.
- Flip-down support pegs – the tabs along the A-frame legs come in handy when you need something to hold a sheet or a thin board.
- Clamping jaws fit 2×4 and 4×4 – the end slots can adjust to these sizes of wood when using the sawhorse as a table.
- Non-slip surface – the top of the crossbar has padding to prevent materials from slipping off.
- Built-in handle – there’s an easy-carry handle along the top part.
- Transforms into a job site table – you can buy a pair and turn this into a 2600-lb capacity working table.
- Easy to set up and fold.
- Plastic handle – the carrying straps may break easily with frequent use.
- Quite heavy – not the best choice if you need to move it around a lot.
- Sharp edges – some items were received with rough metal edges.
- Comes as a single sawhorse – some images show a pair, which can be misleading. If you need a pair, make sure to double your order.
- Flimsy non-slip padding – the material quickly wears away and loses grip.
2. Worx Pegasus WX051 Work Table and Sawhorse
- Total capacity, pounds: 1000
- Material: Plastic
- Single or pair: Single
- Weight, pounds: 28
- Adjustable height: ✖
- Max height, inches: 32”
- Portable: ✓
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
What if you need a sawhorse that doubles as a work table, but you don’t want to buy a pair? Well, that’s what the people at Worx had in mind when they designed Pegasus WX051. It’s both a work table and a sawhorse—literally a workhorse! Though made of plastic, its 1000-lb capacity easily matches those made of steel. When used as a worktable, it has a capacity of 300 lb. No doubt, this is a heavy-duty, compact, and multifunctional sawhorse.
- Versatile – converts to a worktable quickly; does not require assembly.
- Spacious tabletop – the table provides a working area of 31” x 25”.
- Comes with tools for securing materials – includes four clamp dogs and two quick clamps.
- Built-in indentations – when set as a sawhorse, there are indentations to keep materials steady.
- Clever tabletop design – when set as a table, there are indentations, grids, wells, and straight-edge channels to make tasks easy and small tools organized. It has also provided a spot where you can attach a power strip.
- Can handle materials with irregular shapes – the clamps can secure round and other curved shapes.
- Compact design – folds to a depth of 5” for portability and space-saving storage.
- Has a spacious lower shelf – can be used for storing tools and materials.
- Link-lock system – when set up, a lock system secures the legs and other folding parts for stability.
- It comes with a warranty.
- Height is not adjustable – the fixed height is 32” which may not be comfortable for some people.
- Quite heavy – though made of plastic, it’s quite heavy to move around.
- Very expensive – more expensive than some steel sawhorses including ToughBuilt C700.
- Table underside is not flat – pinch clamps can’t have a tight grip on the table’s waffle-design bottom.
- The lower shelf is not sturdy – the shelf bends at the hinges when loaded.
3. DeWalt DWX725 Heavy Duty Work Stand
- Total capacity, pounds: 1000
- Material: Aluminum
- Single or pair: Single
- Weight, pounds: 15.4
- Adjustable height: ✖
- Max height, inches: 32”
- Portable: ✓
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
We describe DeWalt’s DWX725 sawhorse as tough, lightweight, and compact. This combination of qualities makes DWX725 an ideal folding sawhorse to use in field job sites. If you buy a pair, you’ll get a combined capacity of up to 2000 pounds, which is pure muscle. It does look too pretty to use, we agree, but underneath that sleek exterior is rugged strength.
- Excellent build quality – provides a solid working base for heavy projects.
- Versatile – it can be used as a tool stand if you have the appropriate mounting brackets. A pair will have no issue supporting a platform.
- Highly portable – it even has a transport latch for conveniently carrying a pair together.
- Easy setup, folding, and storage – the legs are equipped with locking levers for fast and secure setup. It folds away neatly.
- Padded feet – the rubber boots protect the floor from scrapes and marks.
- It comes with a warranty.
- Height is not adjustable – the fixed leg height can be a major issue for tall people.
- No clamps or built-in slots – it lacks the thoughtful details for holding materials found in C700 and WX051, such as the 2×4 slots and indentations.
- Non-adjustable non-pivoting feet – unlike C700, DWX725’s feet cannot adjust to uneven grade or floor surface.
- Tends to slide on a glossy surface – because it is too lightweight, it will not stand firmly on a high-sheen surface such as epoxy-coated floors.
- Legs may spread out – without braces, the legs tend to splay outwards if loaded to the max.
4. Black + Decker WM125 Workmate Portable Work Bench
- Total capacity, pounds: 350
- Material: Wood/steel
- Single or pair: Single
- Weight, pounds: 15
- Adjustable height: ✖
- Max height, inches: 30”
- Portable: ✓
- Warranty: 2-year warranty
People who do minor DIY jobs around the house prefer something lightweight like Black + Decker’s Workmate WM125. It is perfect for propping up a piece of furniture or a bicycle that needs fixing. The wooden top part acts both as a worktop and a vise, while the steel frame provides solid support. The design is well thought out, and it works as intended. WM125 is so light you can fold it flat and hang on a pegboard—that’s not something you can say about conventional sawhorses. So if you need one that you can stow away as quickly and neatly as that, then you can’t have it better than this workmate.
- Compact – it folds flat with easy-slide mechanism; can be stored freestanding or hung.
- Adjustable vise and clamps – the vise jaws can be cranked to accommodate irregularly-shaped materials. The swivel pegs adjust in various ways.
- Inexpensive – it costs half the price of mid-range sawhorses, yet offers the best value in terms of design and quality.
- Well-balanced – it can handle materials up to 6 or 8 feet long without tilting.
- Well-made – the holes line up, and the details are neat.
- It works as advertised.
- It has non-skid feet.
- It carries a warranty.
- Requires assembly – many users find it fiddly to assemble. Many users found the YouTube video on “Black and Decker workmate 125 assembly” very helpful.
- Height is not adjustable – the fixed height is 30″, which is lower than the height of most sawhorses.
- Rubber feet keep falling – you’ll need to drill bolts to keep them in place.
- Roll pins are difficult to insert – the pin for fastening the handle is difficult to secure. Also, hammering too hard may damage the handle.
- The material is not thick-gauge steel – though adequate for light-duty work.
5. Stanley STST60952 Jr Folding Sawhorse
- Total capacity, pounds: 800
- Material: Plastic
- Single or pair: Pair
- Weight, pounds: 10.6
- Adjustable height: ✖
- Max height, inches: 22”
- Portable: ✓
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Stanley’s STST60952 Jr folding sawhorse comes as a set of two, and they’re functional, durable, lightweight, compact, and inexpensive. You’d think twice about washing wooden or metal equipment, but not these plastic sawhorses. You’ll have no problem washing them with soap and water or using them for applications that expose them to water. They have cutouts for holding 2×4’s and bottom shelves for storing tools.
- Very portable – the pair folds flat and weighs about a third of Worx Pegasus WX051’s weight.
- Small storage footprint – it barely takes up space when folded.
- Inexpensive – it offers great value for money.
- Has storage shelves – the bottom trays keep small tools in one place. The shelves also lock when loaded to keep the sawhorse open.
- Makes sawing easy.
- May collapse if not braced – two 2×4’s will fit in the slots and make the setup stable. Loading the bottom shelves will also lock the base and keep it steady.
- It’s overrated at 800 pounds – 350 pounds looks more like its capacity.
- Some pieces have misaligned slots – you’ll need to apply some pressure to align the slots.
- Too light for moderate to heavy use – designed for occasional use only.
- Low-quality plastic – can’t take rough handling. The material will chip off easily.
Conclusion
Whew, so a sawhorse is not only a prop for cutting materials. It can also function as a worktable, vise, or tool organizer. Take note, though, that not all models of sawhorses can have all these capabilities. You’ll have to go through what a model is designed for and all the specs we’ve discussed above. Yes, it sounds like a tough job, but this list will make it a lot easier for you.
If you’ve noticed, no two products in this list are similar because we’ve carefully chosen each to represent a different category of sawhorse. For instance, we’ve featured ToughBuilt C700 to represent all-steel sawhorses. If you search Amazon for all-steel sawhorses, you will find a huge range of products corresponding to this description. We’ve simplified your search and provided our pick the best folding sawhorse in this class instead.
We hope we have given you all the different options and helped you in making a smart decision. All you need to do now is determine how you plan on using your sawhorse. Then go over our Top 5 best folding sawhorses and find out which one will address your need best.
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