Not everyone has the outdoor space that can justify a 12′ x 8′ workshop that you have always dreamed of building. However, this should not stop you from exploring the possibilities of utilizing any space in your yard that may be available. An existing shed, an extension of your garage or reworking a pole barn are options that can be considered in building a workshop.
My friends don’t think much about the idea of finding a set of sawhorse plans to build a sawhorse for the workshop. Maybe they remember their dads all bent over cutting boards with a handsaw. They probably think power tools have made the sawhorse obsolete. Maybe they think the plastic kind work fine. I say that a wood sawhorse may be one of the most valuable (and forgotten) shop accessories I will own. Here are a few reasons why.
Right tools and materials
Do you know anything about building a workbench? Have you built one before? Are you just going to wing it? Are you going to run down to the lumber yard and buy a bunch of 2 x 4’s and plywood and slap something together? I sure hope not. There is always a right way and a wrong way to do something. The right way almost always guarantees a project that will be satisfying and functional. In the this case the right way is to get a good set of workbench plans.
Workbench vs Sawhorse: Which is Stronger?
Unlike the straight legs on a workbench, sawhorse legs tilt outwards from the top (splayed). Mechanical engineers know that this immediately adds strength to any kind of structure. Add to that a couple of side braces (gussets) and it becomes an indestructible frame that can effortlessly hold hundreds of pounds. A workbench, on the other hand, is more likely to wobble over time, and will need to have its joinery tightened up periodically.
Every good work shop needs a strong, durable and functional workbench. So you have the ideal work shop but are still in need of a great workbench. Isn’t it about time that you build the bench of your dreams. The first thing to consider is what will the bench primarily be used for. Most workbenches that people build are for general use, there all specialty benches though designed for woodworking, electronics or even gardening.
Using a Sawhorse to Cut Large Panels
Cutting down large sheets of plywood can be a pain. If I’m not down on my hands and knees in the garage, then I’m precariously trying to balance a 4 x8 sheet on the edge of a table. If I can get a couple sawhorses built, I will instantly have one of the best panel cutting stations I’ve seen. Simply add a 1×4 board across the bottom of each sawhorse to serve as a support for the plywood sheet. Then position a sawhorse at each end of the panel and lift the plywood up onto the supports. Be sure to clamp both sides of the plywood to the sawhorses. You can then use a circular saw and a ripping guide to safely cut down a plywood panel into any size you need – without ever having to get down on the floor.
On the other hand, if you have one of these, it would be more relaxing working on a project. A workbench is the most efficient assistant a craftsman could have. It can stand a long time without complaining and its vise serves as hands that can keep your materials in place. With it, you will never be in need of an additional hand because it can do what a person can and often in a more competent way. Moreover, since you know the types of work that you are going to do on it, you can choose the proper material for a bench that can accommodate the pressure and action that you will most likely be exerting. This factor is very crucial especially in ensuring your safety as well as in maintaining the quality of the furniture.
By designing a moveable workbench on wheels, you have the ability to relocate your area whenever you need to. For example, a workbench that can be easily moved outdoors when the weather is nice or when you are using toxic paints that cannot be used in closed in spaces, this is the perfect solution.
