A sawhorse is a tool meant both for a professional and weekend DIY hobbyist. While it plays the role of a cutting assistant for a woodworker, he needs it to work in a compact space as well. But provided you have full knowledge on how to use a sawhorse, you will find superbly functional in several projects.
What is a sawhorse?
A sawhorse is a tool aid in cutting, trimming, and framing objects. This tool consists of two A-shape legs attached by a beam on top of each leg. They can function as a worktable if and when used in pairs by putting a plank or plywood piece as a tabletop at their peaks.
You can buy one from the market and they come manufactured with wood, plastic, and metal. But if you are in a budget, you can make a sawhorse on your own and the wood would be the preferable material in this regard. But now a day you can find the Superior Quality Sawhorses in the market.
Why and how to use a sawhorse?
Primarily, sawhorses are used as a support to cut, shape, and trim any projects. You can term them as the makeshift workbench too.
Besides being only the supporting legs of the temporary worktable, latest professional and DIY uses have opened up huge creative and innovative roles of this carpentry gear. Let’s explore them one by one.
A temporary workbench
You can make an additional and semi-permanent workstation by screwing two 2*4s at their top and putting a flat piece of plywood on top of them. To make it easy to carry, let 2*4 lumbers grow by a few inches so that you can conveniently hold them to shift the horse to a preferable space.
You can put a flat and thin piece of wood or a shelf under the top surface and across the brace to keep the devices in it. Thus you can avoid putting the cutter on the earth.
Scaffold for medium height workplace
You can avoid a stepladder while working on a ground 8-10 ft raised above the ground. Instant scaffolding made out of 2*4s and plywood up to 8ft of length is your rescue there. Not to mention, putting end blocks to resist the 2*4 lumbers from folding up would be safe and wise.
Larger Work Surface
Sawhorses traditionally made out of 2*4s but a bit larger 2*6s would create an additional work area. On its top, you can hang or clamp tools from the stick-out edges. But make sure that 2*6s are anchored from the bottom surface with 12-3/4-in size screws.
Outfeed Base for Your Portable Table
Saw
You can use the two overhanging 2*4s edges to make outfeed support for a portable table saw. You need to adjust the boards in a way that the saw sits steadily. Be careful that the placement of the board does not interfere with the fence. Now you can screw them to the sawhorses. For a fixed table saw, attach the saw table screwing through the holes. You should add a plywood piece or a hollow-core door to make the board even with the table top.
As
Racks for Painting & Drying
Span several 2*4 sawhorses in a row and it will serve as the dedicated platform for your painting projects. You can virtually accomplish painting pieces amounting to miles long distance. Put the finished one to the right of the platform to dry and take a new piece to paint.
These are some of the smart ways you can use your sawhorses. Working for a longer period on various projects may enable you to use your ponies the smarter and more innovative ways.
Happy Time with Your Makeshift Workbenches.
