The DeWalt and Ridgid models have adjustable steel legs, greatly increasing their utility and load rating. They fold up easily and slim down to about 2 in., so you can tuck them into small spaces. Fold-flat sawhorsesįold-flat sawhorses are light, reasonably compact, and great for light-duty tasks like painting or trimming a door. Prices and weight ratings are based on a pair of sawhorses, and all measurements are my own. I tested each of the various setups the same way: I loaded them with PT lumber, set them up on soggy, uneven ground, and cut both sawn lumber and panel products. I also prefer adjustable-leg models because they can be made taller than fixed-leg versions (which are usually around 32 in. I routinely use sawhorses for rips on panel products, so I need the ability to add sacrificial lumber to the top of the horse. Different users value different attributes. I was a little hesitant about this particular tool test because sawhorses are such a personal choice.

In more than 20 years of testing tools, I can’t think of a tool category with a greater diversity of products with such different features and attributes. Both have their pros and cons, and which to use depends on what you’re doing and your budget. I ended up with 13 sawhorses, in two types of setups-fold-flat and fold-up. The lockdown in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 brought a unique challenge to my test-since I couldn’t go out shopping, I ordered the best-selling folding sawhorses on the Lowes, Home Depot, and Amazon websites. When I started digging into what’s available, I found a surprising number of different designs, weight ratings, and degrees of compactness. I just don’t have the room in my truck or shop for a set of nonfolding horses, so when former editorial director Justin Fink asked me about my interest in testing commercially made sawhorses, I was intrigued. The problem with site-built horses is that they’re heavy and big. I’ve also used homemade wooden horses quite a bit. Like every carpenter who’s been at it long enough, I own or have tried several sets of commercially made sawhorses. Patrick lists the pros and cons of each sawhorse-noting that the ability to add a sacrificial top and height-adjustable legs are two of his personal preferences-and names two noteworthy products “Best Overall” in each category.

He ended up with two setups-fold-flat and fold-up-and tested both groups by loading them with PT lumber, setting them up on uneven ground, and cutting both sawn lumber and panel products. Synopsis: Senior editor Patrick McCombe ordered 13 of the best-selling sawhorses from popular online retailers.

Saw horse