3 LEVELS of Sawhorses: DIY to PRO Build

In this new series we introduce the 3 LEVELS concept, starting with Sawhorses :DIY to PRO Build. I got this idea from Epicurious, who is one of my favorite food channels. We want to shine a light on how you can take the same process and step it up, and make it usable for anyone!
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[@RWM0000]

Been doing Carpentry for over 40 years. I like the folding set, very functional and cheap. We could build it out of left overs. The Pro one is really nice but I'd be afraid to use it and it would likely end up in the bathroom as a towel rack or the bedroom for holding quilts. Nice Job.

[@jbonet4750]

They look like they would fall over if you dragged material across them.

[@shanoteri476]

Me and my dad built those DIY ones when I was a teenager, and I still have them 30 years later.. they have taken a beating over the years and definitely have added some screws but they are still standing

[@relik0fages]

The DIY saw horse is best for working in the field. That way when the apprentice sends the saw through it because they set it to cut at full depth, you aren't losing $$$.

[@phermey]

Yeah you are losing $$$. The moment you have to buy a new blade because there are screws in the top board. None of these sawhorses built in this vid are any good, cept maybe the hardwood one that is more for art instead of function.

[@gattonpc]

@@phermey Can you make a glued sawhorse.. or without screws or nails in it.. im curious how it will look like and how much "function" will have.. You seems smart enough to do something i said.. as i see in your comment.

[@phermey]

@@gattonpc do the diy one he did. But put the top board under the vertical piece. Like an upside down T. You'll be fine.

[@howardrichburg2398]

Also when they fall off the flat bed of your truck or some jerk steals them, you are not out a lot of $$$$

[@nich479]

I just gotta say that the first one looks the sturdiest.

[@ragnkja]

I’d say the second, because it’s got a fixed triangular frame.

[@30CalCoreLokt]

I'd like yo see a strength test with all three. Load em till they break. I bet the diy comes out on top.

[@hotrodpaully1]

Looks can be deceiving all the weight would be resting on on the screws with a slight modification yes they could be the best but in there current form they are the weakest

[@brendonpatton5617]

First one is what I use for framing and I’ve loaded two up with nearly a thousand pounds and it didn’t even budge.

[@johndavidalexander6646]

@@hotrodpaully1 the top plate of the DIY is resting on the top ends of each leg, screws just keep them there

[@sierrasracing]

The first one looks the best.

[@bclance]

Yo Sam legit CRUSHED IT in front of the camera!!! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 MORE SAM

[@andrewchristian1910]

Not only did Sam crush it, but it also showed us how good of a camera man Sam is as well. Sorry John. 😎

[@judmcfeters9054]

Did you notice Sam also fixed John’s half lap joints on the “amateur” horses? They were not wide enough to allow the cross member to slip in. John kept hiding that each time he tried.

[@bazilwreckerloughead]

My wife & I were at the grocery store the other day, when the 'produce sprayers' came on, I said out loud "Lettuce Spray!" She couldn't figure out why I was laughing so hard.

[@John_Malecki]

hahahahah that is actually the best application of it i have ever heard. i just lol'd hahah

[@doubledarefan]

At Safeway (at least the one in Port Orchard a decade ago) would play thunder sounds when the sprayers comes on. It would always remind me of the opening of the song It's Beginning To Rain by Kenneth Copland. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gV6aiI2Ihaatnrc

[@mikefrancis6861]

I think some people dont understand the different uses for sawhorses and that you need different types for different wood working. Great job John and Sam. I got into woodworking because of your videos. Just wish good tools werent so expensive. Have 4 kids and cant afford much

[@grahammacnaughton8398]

Love your videos! Can’t stop watching and re watching. I’ve dabbled in woodworking and construction on and off and am trying to get more technique and be more serious about it. Your shop makes me drool and want to continue with it!

[@John_Malecki]

Love it Graham, im here to entertain!

[@seachelleart9729]

My guilty pleasure...watching woodworking/resin videos and wishing i had my own shop like this! Keep up the good work!

[@shmutube]

LOVE this idea of multiple levels for various workshops and finished products!

[@corujariousa]

The PRO build having a height adjustment is certainly a major advantage. I do have questions about the stability of the design in comparison to the other 2 models, since their legs spread farther (naturally more stable). Thanks for the video.

[@oliverdelica2289]

I really noticed how your videos improved from a guy who just documents his builds to an entertainer

[@John_Malecki]

Thanks Oliver, thats the goal. Entertain you guys and gals !

[@BrunoLemos86]

So, I'm 10 seconds into the video and I gotta pause to just write this and subscribe! I gotta say, you won me over the Ron/Nick portrait in the back!! I'm now positive that I'll like and enjoy any other video and anything else I see you building!!

[@funnyfarm5555]

I have made several sets of the DIY sawhorses over the years. Three things I do a little different 1. Bottom two screws go into bottom of I beam (more screw in the wood). 2 top of each leg, I cut a 1/4" 45° off so there is not a sharp edge. 3. I make a gusset out of scrap plywood and put it on the end under the I beam giving the sawhorse greater strength (doesn't have to be perfectly measured 1(hold, pencil and cut), but does take additional shorter screws). Optional; cut one sawhorse a little longer than the other (a little over the width of both gussets), place a short piece of 2x4 under the ends of I beam between legs, then they will stack level. I make my sawhorses out of scrap 2x4 lumber from here and there. Nice thing about this concept is that you can make the legs as long or as short as you want them. I have one set that have 36" legs and another that are 32". I read a story one time about a builder that on each job he went to do framing/remodeling and such, he always made a set for the (new) homeowner from the scraps.

[@kylezilke4921]

When working in the field, I used to screw a 2x4 to my saw horses upright as a sacrificial piece when ripping material. I could change it out when needed. Thanks for your videos, I really enjoy this channel.

[@bradbonnema5979]

I screw 2x10 or 2x12 to steel folding saw horses. Put next to each other for small, portable work bench

[@chrisnash2154]

Great Video! Loved all three, but my fave is the third one cause you can never find a sawhorse that gives you the height you want. The second one is my second favorite because you can fold them and put them away. Third one is great simply because it’s super sturdy and super simple to make.

[@richardforster5394]

You get so much more clamping potential by setting the legs in a few inches from the ends with that first design.

[@MultiTom1956]

John , beautiful presentation and great build 😊. Thank you guys .

[@dwdw4499]

Love it !!! The Humorous Antics throughout your video builds is so much funnier by playing them in fast play is even funny and makes me want to learn more about your project suggestions. Keep it rolling. Cheers !!!

[@taterkaze9428]

Good to Sam out in front.

[@rayjohn4444]

John - Thanks, owned a hardwood lumber company with an attached mill mfg stair parts, mantles, contract production work - yes, a big fan of Krenov - went to a workshop he gave - a very relaxed guy. Keep up the good work. Greatly admire your energy and attitude.

[@SpencleyDesignCo]

Sam is a STAR!!!

[@John_Malecki]

Depends on what you define as star haha

[@kilianculver471]

I’ll say the first set is the best when I was framing it’s awesome cause you can build a set to stack lumber and a set to cut and accommodated by a Miter saw and a good piece of ply wood it becomes a pretty great table and since they are cheap you don’t fill bad about someone setting the depth wrong or adding things to it

[@IsaKocoglu]

Good on ya John! Nice trio! Thank you both 👍

[@Duke_Newcomb1979]

Thanks for showing me a project to start on. 1st build as a newbie and it looks good to me.

[@bryonw.1446]

Look at you spreading your DNA on the amateur sawhorse! The blood of the woodsman..... Can't wait to see where you go with this series.

[@John_Malecki]

Thanks Bryon, as we all know, it aint yours till you bleed on it

[@BenjaminVaterlaus]

Love this 3 level series. Great plan!

[@grandsonandgrandfather]

I made a pair of the DIY ones years ago. They are heavy and bulky, BUT as strong as all get out. The top 2x4 can be easily replaced when it gets cut up. If I need something more portable for light work, then I go to my other sawhorses, but when the job is heavy and needs to be very stable, then I break out “ my little friends”. 😀

[@garymassey2285]

What a great idea for a series of videos, Ron is proud my friend!

[@ga5743]

You’ve got the best tool wall on YT......love it. Pro horse my fav even though I’m an amateur 😀

[@grantdefrancesco3920]

Just recently started watching your vids. Can't get enough of your work style and video style

[@matthewhaynes5413]

Another great video, I'll just be impatiently waiting for the next. Keep it up!

[@MintStiles]

The last one is more of a trestle for holding stuff flat rather than a saw horse. It's also too nice to use lol. I honestly think the first one is the most useful and practical. I made a couple non adjustable fancy ones similar to the trestle with a few other features... That I never ever used.

[@joejones2847]

Brother those folding ones show a ton of craftsmanship for something so small and useable

[@MrHowifeltersnatch]

Screw em... From the backside... Are we not doing phrasing? Bro, I love your content. It never gets old.

[@MrHowifeltersnatch]

It's 118 in the desert here in Qatar and you still got me laughing my ass off while still learning awesome woodworking techniques. Keep up your epic-ness good sir.

[@O-5Council]

This is one of the first things they are gonna have us make in our college carpentry course, so I am using this for studying. Good video, easy to follow.

[@mikenaples4046]

The “pro” level looks great and the adjustable height is nice, but that thing would tip over in a heartbeat. Not tipping is just as important as holding weight.

[@philmacgregor1374]

It tip over and ,,,or shear at the adjustable section They dont understand point load and shear something you learn in trade school

[@dh66]

... And they want ten freedom dollars for those shit ass designs. I've sketched out better assemblies with 5 minutes and a napkin

[@HickLif3]

I have never needed an adjustable saw horse either, or if I did it's something I could solve very quickly with a couple of scraps screwed to the horse

[@ARMYStrongHOOAH17]

1:25 Maybe I'm no math genius but you can get exactly 3-32" cuts from an 8' board. 32"*3=96"=8'. Sure, you have to take into account the width of the blade that turns into sawdust with each cut but you could easily cut each of the pieces 31.5" or 31.75" and only have an inch or 2 of waste per 8' board instead of nearly 2' of waste for every 10' board for 32% higher price. Help me understand what I'm missing here.

[@VeraPlatt]

Yeah the cost for a standard 2.4m length vs a 1.8m or 3m is way cheaper. I try to size everything with the standard length and use that waste for blocks or jigs or spaces or anything vs a 1/3 or 50% higher cost for the non-standard lengths.

[@christopherwilliams9639]

A standard 8ft 2x4 is not actually 8ft, its 95.5 inches

[@ARMYStrongHOOAH17]

@@christopherwilliams9639 I've never bought a 95.5" 2x4. Even if it is my point still stands as far as cutting them at 31.5 or 31.75" in order to eliminate waste.

[@jaimebrathwaite2265]

Love your videos John , and Sam is good too

[@danielhowe1994]

i swear I just sit around waiting for your videos! Can't get enough of them.

[@John_Malecki]

What did you think of this one Daniel, we're going a little different with it

[@danielhowe1994]

Think it's awesome! Being an amateur wood shop guy I love it! And not going to lie. I'm a little buzzed you replied 😱😂

[@aidanstutzmann7529]

Every vid is great

[@maggiem4734]

Awesome job, guys! Thx 4 sharing 👍🏼

[@rachelhubbard5678]

This is so helpful!!!! THANK YOU:)

[@d18welldeath30]

Yes i have got some of the 50" inch bessey bar clamps and I love them

[@maxschmiemann6623]

Really enjoying your format folks! Great work.

[@thomasbunch5692]

I really enjoy all of your videos. Even with you being a professional is makes me want to try most of these builds even as a novice.

[@andrewchristian1910]

These look great. I enjoy watching you build, I learn so much. You should attach the knobs to the sawhorse with a bit of brass chain so you don't lose them.

[@curtturtle]

I said it on a past video. Mic Sam up and let him run. Boy crushed it.

[@TyPope]

Thanks. Well put together video!

[@joephillips8244]

Love the USMC colors in the background!

[@volundrfrey896]

So essentially: DIY: A very usable sawhorse of a long time proven design Amature: A less practical version of the DIY sawhorse Pro: An overengineered sawhorse for people who have nothing better to do than making sawhorses

[@philmacgregor1374]

I agree ,,,,but what woUlf l know ,,,,that pro design would be kindling first day on a real job ,, They obvious don't know point loading and shear strength ,, the design l use is what I learned in trade school ,,,it's real hard to teach layman real carpentry Ìve been acarpeter 49 years and these guys are just a comedy act ,

[@CharlieSkapentry]

The ametuer saw horse is very useful but still over engineered really. I work out of a small combi van here in the UK and to have folding saw horses that wont take up too much space in the van and that don't collapse under a sheet of MDF (like the plastic ones) is very handy. Definitely dont need to bother planing the timber up or anything though

[@John_Malecki]

Ya just here for the comedy . I don’t know anything

[@John_Malecki]

It’s always interesting how narrow minded people are. You do realize a sawhorse isn’t a single use right ? Like your job site sawhorses for holding beams and framing is different from a woodshop use , which is also different from timber framing , etc. you trolls really need to step your game up

[@volundrfrey896]

​@@John_Malecki Oh geez, I really hit a nerve there didn't I. They're very nice sawhorses, well done I guess.

[@Otred21]

This is a great idea for a series

[@len4709]

I definitely liked the middle sawhorse... those looked great!

[@carolbuzelim]

I new i saw this idea somewhere hahaha awesome anyway, it show that with good instructions and patience you can make a nice project

[@pohoheli]

Malecki you are hilarious...and skilled! Please keep your hands and fingers safe. Perkins bros taught me that a jointer can go sideways quick. Love ya bud.

[@thiagoguerreiro8140]

That's awesome dudes.

[@davidherzog5738]

Great job! I built them in 15 minutes! No angles just straight forward directions!

[@-.._.-_...-_.._-..__..._.-.-.-]

Cool. Now I just need a woodshop.

[@mikelastname]

Wow, I love that miter saw stop - genius level hack. I can't believe I haven't seen one like that before! I have the "Pro" saw horses, and while they are fantastic for their versatility, I don't think you can beat having a shelf for your tools to keep them off the ground, so my vote fore fave is the amateur one.

[@matthewderezinski8103]

Keep them coming!!! Nice work.

[@SoCalKevin]

Absolute genius idea to do a 3-levels series!

[@samdelonas7079]

Hey, great work John. All three were good. Being a Sam, we are good as assistants and we know who the boss is.

[@heidikelly3160]

I would be happy to be taught by you....you make it look so easy.

[@adamlyons4982]

funny thing, the one you called DYI it's one you'll find on every construction site because they're sturdy or they can hold more weight. And you can make him as big as you want. I've been a carpenter all my life and I've used it on every job site.

[@Abang_studios]

i built the beginner saw horse and i love it

[@craignichols4634]

That workshop looks pretty awesome!

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty fantastic job, John! Nicely done! 😃 I'm going to figure it out a way to make the pro version with foldable feet... 🤔 Stay safe there! 🖖😊

[@drklucavi]

i think 3 level projects needs to become a series, just a great idea

[@timberrecycling]

That lil 12v drill is a beast innit! Great video and cool '3 level' series. Subscribed!

[@user-fz9uu8sx8p]

love your video. good

[@dougnorthcote3420]

Makes amazing saw horses... Uses mallet that looks to be held together with electrical tape. They look great John!

[@nigelcasey2874]

Nice video, quick and easy to follow. Great links in your description all in all a super job. Well done keep it up...

[@clydebalcom8252]

Awesome. Your sense of humor sold me. Instant subscribe.

[@gabesmith6475]

I’ve been waiting a long time for this

[@kwizmon]

Lol. Why?

[@joelhenry4643]

Dude awesome. Would love to see a simple artist's easel in the style of the pro version saw horse.

[@mezanoken1492]

I wish for once in these how to build a sawhorse videos, they would show a carpenter out on a new construction site. That gets told by his boss, hey "joe" build a couple saw horses and with only a skillsaw and some nails. No clamps, no table, no miter saw, no T-bevel no drill. Just joe standing in red clay mud cutting 2xs free hand and making two of the best saw horses you ever seen.

[@zacknichols6092]

Best t-shirt ever!!!

[@virgilproductions]

One of my favorites. Very functional

[@optimus]

9:28 I need more of that background cheering encouragement in my life 😂

[@bobbypowell9175]

I'll take the DIY sawhorse every day. This tool doesn't need to be this intricate.

[@remyfaviercals5374]

Great concept !! It is super cool to see Sam on the other side of the camera :) you should keep this concept and make one every month!!

[@John_Malecki]

If this one does well thats the plan

[@GKganesan]

Awesome. Enjoyed the builds!

[@emcfarlane86]

Loved this video! Great idea. 3 levels of a build. I vote for more of these! ....ALSO where did you get that pic of Ron Swanson?!? I need that.

[@John_Malecki]

from an artist in Philly, DM Me on IG i'll send you link

[@gambit1001]

Great saw horses! Loved em! Just be careful at 12:17 I almost lost my fingers watching that part! 😮

[@ingeniouswit]

liked it, i have liked your videos from mostly an entertainment standpoint but this was a bit more educational and i dig it

[@strangetamer69x12]

“But Johhnnn, I don’t have any of those tools…“ buy me a SawStop PCS? 🖤😂😂

[@isaac_3455]

I love this guy

[@pinindesigns727]

Love Every video you make!!! Is anybody able to tell me what model Dewalt same was using on the first saw horse??? Thank you 😊 keep up the great videos 👍🏼👍🏼

[@psyhodad100]

And those pro saw horses can be used for panel glue ups,. Remove the top part, arrange your boards, sandwich them with top part and some clamps and put rest of the clamps accordingly. Think this could be useful 😃

[@thomasmickel4427]

Love your content!!!! And all hail the Swanson..,

[@RobDucharme]

I've been eyeballing that mitre saw at Home Depot.. I love that the track overlaps with the saw deck and not way out behind the ass-end of it like the Dewalt one a friend of mine has. More compact motion without the sacrifice. Yay Makita! (As a notive. I should note that if I buy it, it'll join my VERY well-used Makita jigsaw and well-used circular saws).

[@jameslittle5214]

Now I must make a GOD level folding and adjustable sawhorse.

[@dredbud9272]

I worked as a carpenter for years. When we got a new hire first thing we did was have him make a set of sawhorses. No faking it . I knew a good hire right off the bat

[@bardus_hobus]

love the Ron Swanson picture

[@flubber8396]

Great video. I believe Sam needs a day where he builds something. (SAM DAY). He is a heck of a builder and needs some recognition for his work too. Cool shirt too John.

[@alexjames1146]

I love Sam. So down to earth.

[@jameswyatt1304]

The pro one is more a material support - there's no top rail width and I often use that when steadying smaller cuts. Nice variety, though.

[@KeyWoodworks]

Sam's new channel is great!

[@user-pv5yh4de6f]

기술이. 대단하십니다

[@bruceh7921]

Loved the first one simple and easy. I cut the crap out of the set I have now. Just make new when they get bad. The other 2 are to fancy lol.

[@valentinarroyo5150]

Gracias a este video hice mis diy saw horse! 10 de 10!