Find the perfect saw horse for your project

A saw horse is a tool used to support wood and planks while cutting. It has a simple design comprising a single straight horizontal beam supported by A-frame legs. It's often used in pairs to keep the wood stable while cutting. It's extremely flexible and easy to move around. You can also customize it to your needs.

However, with so many options available on the market, you can easily be confused about which saw horse to choose. Remember that not all saw horses are the same. They come with different materials, load capacities, and heights. In this short guide, we'll walk you through the process of choosing a saw horse that meets your needs.

What material should you choose for your saw horse?

Saw horses are available in different materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. Let's take a closer look at materials to help you make a better choice.

Wood

Wood is the most popular material for making saw horses. Unlike other materials, wood is easy to work with. Its high load-bearing capacity allows it to support heavy materials without getting damaged. One of the main advantages of a wood saw horse is that it will not damage your saw blade when it accidentally comes in contact with the wood. However, wood can be quite heavy, especially hardwood. On the other hand, softwood is lightweight but breaks easily. While it's possible to find models with legs that fold in totally, making foldable saw horses from wood is challenging.

Metal

Saw horses made from metal are solid, sturdy, and durable. They are ideal for heavy-duty projects and the most challenging work environments. Most metal saw horses have adjustable height and can be folded for easy storage. They are great for people looking for a saw horse they can use extensively. Some metal horses have additional functionalities, a clamp, and storage space for tools. The only downside is that they are heavier than their wood and plastic counterparts. You also need to be careful when sawing because accidental contact between the metal and the saw can damage the saw blade. Still, metal saw horses are an excellent choice for professionals and DIYers.

Plastic

Plastic saw horses are very lightweight, making it easier to move them around. However, they cannot support heavier planks or boards and may not be the best option for tough work environments. They are best suited for lightweight projects like cutting plywood, spray painting, etc. Most plastic saw horses can be folded for easy storage, and some models come with additional features like clamps or shelves to hold your supplies as you work.

Load capacity

Load capacity or weight capacity refers to the amount of weight a saw horse can support. The weight capacity of saw horses ranges from light to heavy duty. It’s important to choose a saw horse with a load capacity that suits your project.

If your project involves working with large logs of wood, choosing a stronger and sturdy saw horse, particularly made from metal or hardwood, would be best. However, if you're handling lighter jobs like painting, lightweight saw horses made from plastic and softwood would make great choices. So, it’s crucial to know the weight capacity of saw horses before purchasing.

However, it's important to note that some manufacturers label the load capacity of each individual sawhorse, while others include the combined load rating. So, if the load rating is indicated as 300 kilograms per saw house, the rating for the pair is 600 kilograms.

Height

Saw horses come in different height ranges. Choosing the wrong height will strain your back and cause pain due to incorrect posture. The height of the saw horse you need should be based on your height. Most saw horses have a predetermined height. Many people prefer saw horses that come with preset heights.

You can also find saw horses with adjustable height. These saw horses allow you to customize the height of the saw horse to your comfort levels. To determine a saw horse height that suits you, place your finger in the middle of your lower back and ask someone to measure the distance from the floor to the finger.

Portability

If you mostly work in the workshop, portability may not be an issue for you. However, if you often go out to work, you’ll have to take portability into account. The two main factors affecting the portability of a saw horse are weight and size.

• Weight 

Heavy saw horses are not easy to carry compared to lighter options. However, the weight and load capacity of saw horses don’t relate. So, you may want to go for a lightweight model that can handle more weight.

• Size

Some saw horses come with foldable legs, allowing easy transportation and storage. It can be a bit difficult to transport full-size saw horses. So, if you're looking for a saw horse that is easy to transport, choose a foldable one.

Looking for the right saw horse for your next project? Feel free to browse through our extensive collection.