Constructed from high grade old growth MDF, these elegant pieces of fine woodworking would look great with any shop decor! har har! Last week, my buddy Ron Jones stopped by to drop off some project templates. He cuts the various templates we sell in our store using his Shop Bot CNC machine. He does a lot of other CNC work as well and frequently finds a good use for his various off-cuts. So this time he brought me a pair of his latest creation: MDF Sawhorses! Each piece has notches cut in it to accept the adjoining piece. The fit is so snug that you need a dead blow to seat all of the joints. They pack flat and go together in seconds.
I mentioned to Ron that I probably wouldn’t use them for anything with significant weight. He was quick to show me just how sturdy they are! And while I don’t recommend trying this at home, I do recommend pulling out a camera when your friends do something foolish as long as it isn’t life-threatening. Thankfully Ron and I both survived the ordeal.
So what will I use these for? Finishing. Every time I finish a project via HVLP, I find myself scavenging cardboard boxes from the trash or spanning a few 2×4′s across two garbage cans. These sawhorses are perfect for supporting work for finishing. If I cut a couple of long strips and notch those as well, I’ll have a nice long finishing rack. Perhaps the best part is that I won’t get upset when the horses receive frequent baths from various stains and finishes. I can also take them apart and pack them flat when not in use so they won’t take up much space. Not a bad use for some sheetgood scrap!
For those who requested it, here is the dxf file: Download Now!
Very nice saw horse. I was wondering if there was anyway i could by a pair from you guys if you would make and sell a saw horse pair
The best saw horse ever. period Elegant, simple, useful. They can almost be made as furniture, but you can paint and pound on them. Great project for kids to learn on. . I made a pair as birthday presents for each of my brothers that they are using 25 years later.
One addition: I put an electrical box in an end gusset so you only have to run 1 extension cord for power tools Be sure to run a GROUND wire down one leg from the box. A shelf is an easy addition also
Glad to find you folks> i have always wanted to pass this on. The story that goes with it is fun: a kid who learns from a seasoned carpenter.
Country Journal,October 1987, page 34.
For sketch up users I believe there’s a plug in to import DXF files so hopefully this makes the file accessible to everyone?
Looks like any type of plan to build from is going to be a ways off. I am getting with Marc to provide the dxf file but in the meantime anyone is welcome to email me and I will send the dxf:)
It would be great to have plans. They would be a nice addition to my shop.
That would be great! These would be nice to have in the shop.
hmmm…I have seen those before somewhere…. :-)
It would be great if you could post a link to a .dxf or .sbp. TIA
Funny!!! I forgot I cut you a set, lol How are they working out for you? If anyone is interested I could probably throw some dims on a PDF and create a quick plan… I have the ACAD file as well
RJ
Really being picky, but that’s MDF core plywood, isn’t it? Would that make it stronger than simple MDF?
Also, don’t know if it’s just my iMac/Firefox, but the lightbox nav didn’t seem to work.
I have a problem calling anything with a full MDF core “plywood”. That’s just MDF with veneer on it. I suppose it is a bit stronger than a plain old piece of MDF, but not by much. Then again, I have tested this in any way. Just going by gut here.
Working on the lightbox issue. Sorry about that.
Nice ankles!
A video of the cnc process would be awesome!!!! As well as the assembly and finishing.
Can you post the measurements?
I never measured it. I can get some rough measurements for you next time I’m in the shop.