When it comes to valuable items to have around the workshop, construction site, or DIY project, it’s tough to beat a good pair of adjustable height sawhorses. These handy A-frame-shaped supports are useful for just about any cutting task, as well as for painting or other detailed work. They also allow you to set up a makeshift table just about any time the need arises.
Adjustable height sawhorses are the ideal choice because they have the added advantage of you being able to adjust the height. This allows you to easily and quickly change the height of the sawhorses. Doing this will allow you to create the ideal work surface for whatever your needs are at the time. Compare all of that to traditional sawhorses; these limit you to a single height which may not be ideal for all of your cutting tasks.
Some of the sawhorses that I listed below also offer extra features like vices, built-in clamps, shelves, and other really cool things. Most of them are a folding sawhorse or offer folding legs, this is great because you can fold them and store them away when they’re not in use.
Let’s take a look at what adjustable height sawhorses are, how do you use adjustable height sawhorses, the best adjustable height sawhorses on the market, and how to pick the right one for you!
What Are Adjustable Height Sawhorses?
Let’s first talk about what a sawhorse is. A sawhorse is frame support that is very sturdy; they’re usually made from metal, wood, or plastic. These help support a piece of material that is being cut by some type of power tool. This could be a jigsaw, circular saw, hand saw, or some other tool. They can also be used simply as a sturdy workspace to place your materials.
Sawhorses are most commonly used by carpenters when building. However, there are plenty of hobbyists, homeowners, and DIYers using them as well for projects around the house.
How Do You Use Adjustable Height Sawhorses?
For those who don’t know, here’s a quick rundown on how to use an adjustable height sawhorse. Before you do anything, you’ll want to make sure that the sawhorses are parallel and not to far away from each other. However, you also need to make sure that they’re not too close either. The sawhorses need to be steady to support whatever materials you’ll be placing on top of them. You’ll also want to make sure that all of the legs sit flush on the ground so that they’re not wobbly.
Depending on what they’ll be supporting, the sawhorses should mostly support the ends of the material. I would like to note that the ends shouldn’t be so far over to the point where the materials could topple off once you make cuts.
One last thing that I would like to mention about adjustable sawhorses is one of my favorite things about them, and they’re stackable. It doesn’t matter if they’re made from wood or plastic. So this means if you don’t want to or you can’t fold them flat, you can easily just stack them on top of each other.
Best Adjustable Height Sawhorses – Reviewed
Here are some of the best adjustable sawhorses you can purchase today.
Best Overall – Kobalt 42-in Steel Adjustable Saw Horse
The Kobalt 42-in Steel Adjustable Saw Horse is about as good as you can get when it comes to adjustable sawhorses. It comes with a ton of useful features, like built-in carry handles, folding legs for easy transport, and independently adjustable legs.
Each saw horse has several integrated shallow channels for supporting materials like dowels, oddly shaped items that need extra grip, or pipes. Each one also has 2 x 4 support grooves, and they can be used in conjunction with a flat piece of plywood to create a solid and flush work surface.
These sawhorses are made from high-grade steel that is incredibly sturdy. This offers unmatched reliability, durability, and support. The load capacity is 800 lbs. per sawhorse, which equals a total of 1600 lbs. when you combine the pair.
The legs can be adjusted from 22 inches to up to 33 inches. This range allows you to change the height of the cutting surface as the situation demands. It also means people of different heights are able to use these sawhorses at their own ideal height.
Standout Features:
- Load capacity is 800 lbs.
- All of the legs on these can be independently adjusted for uneven surfaces.
- Non-damaging feet for when you’re working on sensitive flooring.
- The top surface features several shallow channels for working with non-flat items like pipes and dowels.
- Has integrated 2×4 support grooves. These allow you to easily create a solid and flush work surface.
Runner-up – Dewalt Adjustable Metal Legs Sawhorse
Easily adjustable, well-built, and rugged. The Dewalt Adjustable Metal Legs Sawhorse makes an excellent choice when you’re looking at purchasing a top-performing saw horse for a reasonable price. The design of this is fairly straightforward as well. Its frame is made of high-quality metal and plastic that can support up to 2500 lbs. when used as a pair.
This saw horse has a unique sliding mechanism that allows you to set your desired depth, which is between 31” and 39”, on each leg with ease. This means you can set each leg to a slightly different depth when working on any uneven surfaces. There’s also a V-groove integrated into the top of each saw horse, which makes working on a curved or rounded surface very easy.
Rubber inserts on the bottoms of the legs provide a solid grip on nearly any work surface, while the 2 x 4 cutouts near each edge allow you to set up a pair as a stable workstation.
Standout Features:
- Load capacity: 2500 lbs. when used as a pair
- The sliding mechanism lets you set the desired length for each leg.
- V-groove on top for working on rounded or curved workpieces.
- Integrated 2 x 4 cutouts.
- Rubber inserts on leg bottoms provide excellent grip.
Budget Pick – Stanley Adjustable Sawhorse Twin Pack
If you’re looking for a functional and well-made pair of sawhorses at a price that won’t break the bank, then you’ll have a tough time beating the Stanley Adjustable Sawhorse Twin Pack. This height adjustable sawhorse twin pack features many of the same features as some of the more expensive options, including the anti-slip rubber grip on the feet, the easy height adjustable legs, and unique sliding width adjustment.
The height can be easily adjusted to both the closed and open positions. There is also a handy tool trap that opens to easily stash your most needed tools. Each sawhorse pair can hold an impressive 1000 lbs. However, that is slightly less than other models available. However, the amount is still more than enough for the vast majority of projects.
In addition to everything I just shared with you, this sawhorse is a folding sawhorse. Each one folds up flat so you can easily store them. This makes them a great option for those who work in smaller workshops or limited storage space.
Standout Features:
- Load capacity: 1000 lbs. (pair)
- Legs can be adjusted to both open and closed positions.
- Small tray for storing tools.
- Both height and width are adjustable.
- Folding sawhorse folds flat for storage.
How to Pick the Right Adjustable Height Sawhorses
I understand it can be difficult to really know what sawhorse to pick because of all of the different options and features. The good news is there aren’t a lot of things that you need to consider to make the right decision. Here’s everything you should take into consideration when picking out adjustable height sawhorses.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is one of the main features to consider when choosing a pair of adjustable sawhorses. Of course, your weight capacity requirements is going to depend on the type of work you plan on doing. If you’re working on seriously heavy pieces, then going with the highest-rated sawhorse makes the most sense. On the other hand, if you’re planning on just ripping plywood and cutting 2 x 4’s, then any weight capacity will be more than enough for you.
Height Adjustability
As this is an informative buying guide for adjustable sawhorses, all of the above models feature legs that have adjustable heights. This is an outstanding feature to be on the lookout for when purchasing sawhorses. This is because it greatly increases the sawhorse functionality and overall usefulness around any workshop, DIY project, or job site. If you’ve ever had to cut material on a pair of sawhorses that was too high or too short, then you know what I’m talking about.
It’s important to consider what your ideal cutting height is when using sawhorses. The ideal height will vary depending on your own arm length, height, and personal preferences. Most adjustable sawhorses have a fairly wide range, but it’s worth paying attention to this number, especially if you’re particularly tall or short.
Durability
Arguably one of the most important features to consider when it comes to any sawhorse is durability Sawhorses get pretty beat up after using them for a while, whether it be them getting banged up from being moved around or just wear and tear from using them all of the time, you’ll want to make sure they’re up to the task of being knocked around and having heavy objects dropped on top of them.
All sawhorses made of metal tend to perform the best when it comes to durability, although newer plastic polymers are being used to create sawhorses, and it’s surprisingly good for durability.
Wrapping Up
There’s everything you need to know about adjustable height sawhorses! We hope this buying guide helped you find the best option for you! Do you plan on buying adjustable height sawhorses after reading this guide? Do you own some already? Please feel free to leave a comment? We would love to hear from you!
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