TIPS Season 3 - Episode 7: How to make a good set of saw horses
July 3, 2020 · 26 min · 149K views
What this video covers
Louis Sauzedde constructs stable, non-racking sawhorses for shop use by prioritizing flat, non-twisted lumber for the top rail.1:07 He cuts the 2x6 top rail at a 15-degree angle on both sides to allow the legs to mount flush.7:11 Each leg requires a compound cut, achieved by swinging the chop saw 5 degrees and tilting it 15 degrees.12:28 To ensure stability, he braces the legs with 2x4s and adds plywood plates to the ends, securing them with screws to prevent racking.8:11 He emphasizes that the legs should be canted to improve stability, especially when using the horses for staging.3:47 By keeping the assembly slightly flexible during the initial fastening, he ensures all four legs sit perfectly flat on the shop floor before final tightening.19:40 These sawhorses are designed to support heavy loads by transferring weight directly through the legs rather than relying solely on fasteners.24:51
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