Build a Low Sawhorse

This simple build is an underrated essential.

- By Roy Berendsohn

Low sawhorses seem counterintuitive as a work surface, given that they’re shorter than most workbenches, but you won’t believe how much you’ll use these to raise your projects above clutter on your workbench, or on the floor for projects too tall for your bench, like cabinetry. Build two of these at a time, then rest a plank or piece of plywood on top for a convenient work platform. If you build these out of construction lumber or 5/4 stock instead of the 1 pine that we use, they’ll easily be strong enough to stand on. If you make the lower shelf out of ½ plywood, you can shave some weight without sacrificing strength.

CUT THE SIDES

Start by crosscutting the sides using a circular saw and a 40-tooth ATBR combination blade. Choose whichever end will become the top and mark its center. Then measure and mark 1¾ out from the center and make a mark on the left and right. On each side of the panel, measure 11½ up from the bottom, and draw diagonal lines from there to the marks at the top. This produces a cut line with a pleasing slope and space for the horizontal 1x4 T-brace at the top. Make your measurements carefully, particularly if you are building two sawhorses. You'll want them to be the same height so you have a stable work surface.

Now mark the triangular cutout at the bottom. Measure in 3 from each edge and draw a 45-degree line toward the panel center. Cut along the sloping lines with a jigsaw to the point where they intersect (1).

ATTACH THE CLEATS