Continuing our series on sawhorse designs, here are some very simple folding sawhorse plans made from 2x4s and 1x4s with a 2×6 top. This folding sawhorse is strong, stable, and best of all it folds up to make it a little more portable while also saving room in smaller workshops. And there never seems to be enough storage room, even in larger shops. The 2×6 sacrificial board can easily be swapped out for a 2×4 board instead if you want to reduce the overall height of the sawhorse. I prefer the height provided by the 2×6.

Cut list for two sawhorses:

• 8 – 2×4 @ 36″
• 2 – 2×6 @ 38″
• 4 – 1×4 @ 33″
• 2 – 1×4 @ 36″
• 4 – 4″ x 1/4″ bolts with matching washers and nuts
• 2 – 32″ pieces of paracord
• Exterior wood glue
• 20 – 1 1/2″ deck screws

Tools for building your folding sawhorse

• Miter saw or circular saw
• Jig saw or bandsaw
• Drill / driver combo
• Quick-grip clamps are useful
• Tape measure
• 1/4″ wood bit

Step 1: Cut the sawhorse legs

Building one of these simple folding sawhorses is, well, simple. Starting with the legs, you’ll need to cut four of them per sawhorse. These are each 36″ long, with 70° cuts on each end. On the top end of each you’ll need to cut a notch 3 1/4″ in from the 70° corner. The notch needs to be 3″ deep, with a 90° cut at the bottom.

Next you’ll need to drill out a 1/4″ hole, centered on the board 6 1/4″ down from the top. These holes will be for the 1/4″ bolts later.

Step 2: Assemble the narrow legs

Now cut two 1×4 pieces to 33″ in length to use as the stretchers. Using two 1 1/4″ wood screws at each end of each board, attach one stretcher 6″ up from the bottom, and the second stretcher up 14 1/2″ from the first. Remember to have your legs turned with the notches on the same side as the stretcher.

Step 3: Assemble the wide legs

Now cut a 36″ piece of 1×4 and attach to the other two legs, 6″ up from the bottom.

Step 4: Put your simple folding sawhorse together.

At this point, you’re basically done building your new simple folding sawhorse. To finish assembly, line up the holes you drilled in the legs and insert a 1/4″ bolt through them, add a washer and nut and tighten.

Now cut your 2×6 to 38″ (or longer if you wish) and you can insert it into the opened legs. At this point you’ll probably notice there is nothing stopping the legs from opening too wide. To prevent them from opening wider than desired, you just need to use a piece of paracord. Start by drilling a 1/4″ hole through both of the lower stretchers, run a piece of paracord through both holes, pull it tight and tie a knot. You’ll want to make certain the paracord is just long enough to allow the bottom of the legs to sit flat on the ground.

There you go, your new simple folding sawhorse is complete. Time to get to work!

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