A folding saw horse is one of those pieces of equipment that you didn’t think you needed, but when you get them you wonder how you ever managed without them before.
They make carpentry so much easier because you are no longer struggling to find a good surface to support your timber. And they improve your work because the wood is held nice and steady while you work on it.
If you are working on large pieces of wood a pair of saw horses can support any size, and you can even make a portable worktop by placing a board on top of them. They are great for working on job sites away from your workshop and for increasing the size of any work area, whether at home or on-site.
They may seem like a simple piece of equipment but they do have some useful features so it can be a bit confusing choosing the best folding saw horses. And as you’d generally always buy a pair of saw horses it is worth getting it right.
But we have some solid support for you. Here is our pick of the best folding saw horses to make the decision easier for you – so you can ride off with the best one for you!
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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1. ToughBuilt TB-C650 Folding Sawhorse
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2. Bora Portamate Speedhorse PM-4500T Saw Horse Pair
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3. Steelman 92786 Adjustable Height Folding Saw Horses Pair
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4. Bora Portamate Speedhorse XT PM-4550 Adjustable Height Saw Horse
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5. ToughBuilt TB-C550 Folding Sawhorse
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1. ToughBuilt TB-C650 Folding Sawhorse
Specification
| Top Length | 42-Inch |
| Load Capacity | 1300 lb |
| Dimensions | 4.52 x 42.44 x 5.51 inches |
| Weight | 8.32 Kilograms |
Features
- 25”-32” Height Independently Adjustable Legs
- 2×4 Support Arms
- Material Support Pegs
- Pivoting Feet
- Powder-coated and Zinc-plated Steel
ToughBuilt produces a highly rated range of quality and, not surprisingly, tough folding saw horses. The ToughBuilt C650 is near the top of its range but at a great price with most of the features you’re likely to need.
Like all the best folding saw horses it is heavy-duty, supporting up to 1300 pounds per saw horse, has 2×4 support arms to create a work table and folds down to a compact size.
This model has the nice extras of having independently height adjustable legs and pivoting feet to maintain steadiness and a level work table on uneven ground.
What We Like
It is quality built and tough, has all you would expect plus a few nice extra touches, particularly the multi-level height adjustment, and the support pegs built into the legs for upright cutting. And all at a great price.
What We Don’t Like
To be honest, not much.
If you are especially tall you may want to find a saw horse with a higher maximum height, but 32” is still better than the 30” of most saw horses.
PROS
- Multi-level Height Adjustable
- Tough Construction
- Good weight and length capacity
- Supports For Vertical Cutting
CONS
- Not the highest available
2. Bora Portamate Speedhorse PM-4500T Saw Horse Pair
Specification
| Top Length | 45-Inch |
| Load Capacity | 1500 lb |
| Dimensions | 45 x 3.25 x 30 inches |
| Weight | 36.8 Pounds |
Features
- Quick Release Set Up and Collapse
- Pre-drilled Top
- 30” Fixed Height
- 2×4 Support Arms
- Material Support Pegs
The award-winning Bora Portamate Speedhorse range of saw horses is so named because of the quick-release mechanism that offers instant setup and teardown. You can fold the legs instantly and in any order for less fiddling and more time-saving.
The Bora PM-4500T has a market-leading 1500 lbs capacity for each saw horse, giving an incredible 3000 lbs capacity with this pair of folding saw tables.
The 45-Inch tops are pre-drilled with holes to allow you to attach a 2×4 to the top surface – to protect your materials, the saw horse, and your tools from getting damaged.
What We Like
The Bora PM-4500T is one of the largest and strongest saw horses available and the quick set-up and collapse mechanism is very slick and folds into a neat package.
So it’s good for heavy users and people who move around a lot from job to job.
What We Don’t Like
Fixed height. And some users have advised that caution needs to be exercised when folding with sharp edges.
PROS
- Market-leading Weight Capacity
- Instant Set-Up and Collapse
- Pre-drilled Top
- No Assembly Needed
CONS
- Fixed at 30” Height
- Watch your fingers
3. Steelman 92786 Adjustable Height Folding Saw Horses Pair
Specification
| Top Length | 42-Inch |
| Load Capacity | 1300 lb |
| Weight | 17.7 pounds |
Features
- 27-¼”-32” Variable Height
- 2×4 Support Arms
This pair of Steelman 92786 Saw horses are built of sturdy high-grade corrosion-resistant steel with galvanized legs so they are built to last.
Each independently adjustable leg has 8 different 1-inch increments for flexible height adjustment helping you create a level work surface on uneven outdoor job sites.
What We Like
Being able to set the height independently for each leg by up to 8” is great for those working on uneven surfaces, stepped levels or slopes.
What We Don’t Like
Basic features. Having no feet or rubber on the legs may be an issue for some. And the legs can be prone to jamming on folding or unfolding.
PROS
- Independent Height Adjustable Legs
- 32” Maximum Height
- Solid Construction
CONS
- No feet on legs
- Legs can jam
4. Bora Portamate Speedhorse XT PM-4550 Adjustable Height Saw Horse
Specification
| Top Length | 45-Inch |
| Load Capacity | 1500 lb |
| Dimensions | 45 x 3 x 36 inches |
| Weight | 1 Kilogram |
Features
- 30-36” Height Independently Adjustable Legs
- 2×4 Support Arms
This XT PM-4550 model in the Bora Portamate Speedhorse range of saw horses has the same features as the PM-4500T mentioned above – the quick-release, non-sequential leg folding, market-leading 1500 lbs capacity and 45-Inch long tops with pre-drilled holes.
The extra feature of the XT is that it has height-adjustable legs up to an impressive 36-Inch height. So this would be an ideal choice for woodworkers needing a higher work surface.
It does appear that the material support pegs are sacrificed to accommodate the adjustable legs.
What We Like
The Bora XT has all the same benefits as its cheaper brother but adds the extra benefit of a higher work level and flexibility for jobs on uneven ground.
What We Don’t Like
If you don’t need the extra height and independently adjustable legs then you don’t need to spend the extra on this XT model.
PROS
- 36” Maximum Height
- Market-Leading Weight Capacity
- Instant Set-Up and Collapse
- Pre-drilled Top
CONS
- Cost if don’t need the extra height
- Sharp Edges
5. ToughBuilt TB-C550 Folding Sawhorse
Specification
| Top Length | 41.5-Inch |
| Load Capacity | 1100 lb |
| Dimensions | 41.54 x 4.13 x 4.65 inches |
| Weight | 13.34 lbs |
Features
- 28.82” Fixed Height
- 2×4 Support Arms
- Material Support Pegs
- Pivoting Feet
- Powder-coated and Zinc-plated Steel
We wanted to include a lower-cost option for those on a budget that don’t think they’ll need a top specification model. There are cheaper sturdy metal saw horses than this ToughBuilt TB-C550 but the price difference is so negligible we would recommend this for those on a budget and still get a high-quality saw horse.
What We Like
This model still has most of the features we think you want in a saw horse but with the lower cost comes a lower specification. If it is enough for the jobs you plan on doing, or for occasional use then it is great value.
What We Don’t Like
At a little under 29” high it could just be too low for you.
PROS
- Great Value
- Tough Construction
- Good Features Level
CONS
- Low Height
- Lower Specification
FAQ/Buyers Guide
What are the 2×4 support arms for?
The slots at either end of the top section are designed to allow you to create a work table using two sawhorses and 2 lengths of 2×4 timber. They are sized so you can drop the 2×4 perfectly into the slots of each sawhorse to join them together and create support for a board. Lay the board on top and you have yourself a custom size work table.
What are material support pegs?
They are fold-down supports built into the legs. You can use them to support something like a board on its edge so you can work on it vertically if needed. Or even just to support it as you turn it over to save damaging the edge on the ground.
How do independently adjustable legs and pivoting feet help?
There will be many times you don’t have the benefit of a completely level area to place your sawhorses; perhaps on bumpy ground, a slope or even with a step.
Don’t forget there may be times you need a large area to work in and you have to go beyond your usual level area. So you may have to set up on different levels. These features allow you to level up your sawhorses to create a steady and level work area.
What about length?
Apart from the obvious ability to hold larger pieces to work on, a longer sawhorse is also more stable.
Conclusion
We put the ToughBuilt C650 at the top of our list of the best folding saw horses because it has a durable, sturdy construction while packing in all the features most users should need – at a price that isn’t much higher than more basic models.
The Bora PM-4500T gets unusually high 5-star ratings but it comes at a much higher price. If you think the impressive fast folding and unfolding mechanism and extra weight bearing will be a useful benefit for you, then you may consider it worth paying the extra.
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I am a woodworker with over 19 years of experience crafting everything from furniture to ornamental pieces. I take pride in my ability to bring out the beauty of the wood I work with, creating unique and lasting objects. My passion for woodworking has been a life-long pursuit and I strive to push myself further and further with each new project. I am dedicated to the craft and take great satisfaction in the final product that I create.Read More.
