Trestles & Saw Horses
Saw horse and trestles give you a solid platform for cutting, supporting and setting out timber, boards and lengths on site or in the workshop.
If you're ripping sheet material, chopping studs or knocking up a quick bench, a decent saw horse saves your back and stops the work shifting about. Chippies, fitters and snag teams rely on folding work trestles that set up fast, take abuse and still pack flat into the van. If you need more site support kit, look across our ladders, access and benches range and get the right setup sorted.
What Jobs Are Saw Horse and Trestles Best At?
- Supporting long timber, skirting, CLS and sheet material while cutting with circular saws stops the work dipping or pinching the blade halfway through the cut.
- Setting up a quick temporary bench for first fix, trim work or assembly jobs gives joiners and fitters a proper working height instead of kneeling on the deck.
- Holding doors, worktops and boards steady for marking out, sanding or trimming makes awkward one man jobs much easier to manage in empty plots and refurbs.
- Building a wider trestle work bench with boards across a saw horse pair is handy for site cutting stations, decorating prep and general workshop overflow.
- Using heavy duty trestles for repetitive cutting in the yard or on site gives labourers and chippies a reliable stand that folds away when the area needs clearing.
Choosing the Right Saw Horse
Sorting the right one is simple: match the load, the material and how often it goes in and out of the van.
1. Folding for van work or fixed for workshop use
If you're moving from plot to plot, folding work trestles are the obvious pick because they set up quickly and don't eat van space. If they are mostly staying in one place, a more rigid non folding design can make sense for a permanent cutting area.
2. Light board work or heavy timber and worktops
If you're mainly cutting trim, mouldings and plasterboard, standard saw horses will do the job. If you're loading up doors, thick timber, worktops or bundled material, go straight to heavy duty saw horses with a proper load rating and a broader stance.
3. Single support or a proper pair
A single sawhorse is only part of the setup. For most site cutting and bench work, buy a saw horse pair so the material is supported at both ends and you are not fighting sag, twist or tip.
4. Bare top rail or clamp friendly setup
If you regularly secure work before cutting or routing, check the top and frame shape will work with clamps. Some designs are far easier to grip than others, and that matters once you're dealing with polished boards or awkward lengths.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Chippies and joiners swear by saw horses for first fix and second fix because they need a fast, solid place to cut stud, door linings, skirting and sheet stock all day.
- Kitchen fitters use work trestles to support worktops, panels and doors while they mark out, trim and assemble in tight rooms where floor space is short.
- Decorators and snag teams use folding work trestles as a quick bench for filling, sanding and prep work, especially when they want something that packs away fast between plots.
- General builders and maintenance teams keep a saw horse pair in the van for those jobs where the floor is uneven, the material is awkward and you need proper support straight away.
Saw Horse Extras That Make Site Life Easier
A saw horse is simple kit, but the right add ons stop wasted time and make your setup safer and more useful.
1. Clamps
Get the work held before you cut. A couple of decent clamps stop sheet material, doors and worktops skating about when you're marking out or trimming, which saves bad cuts and saves your fingers.
2. Work Benches
If a basic trestle setup is turning into a regular bench station, step up to proper work benches. They give you a flatter working area, better holding options and less faff for assembly and finishing jobs.
3. Saw Stands
When you're feeding long timber through a mitre saw or chop saw, ordinary trestles are not always the best answer. Dedicated saw stands support the machine properly and keep repeated cutting more accurate.
Choose the Right Saw Horse for the Job
Pick your setup based on what you are supporting and how mobile it needs to be.
| Your Job | Saw Horse or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| General site cutting and first fix timber | Folding saw horse pair | Fast setup, folds flat, easy to carry, enough capacity for regular timber and board work |
| Supporting doors, worktops and sheet material | Heavy duty trestles | Higher load rating, wider stance, better stability under larger awkward pieces |
| Temporary bench for assembly and prep | Work trestles with boards across | Good working height, flexible bench size, handy for fitting and decorating tasks |
| Workshop or yard cutting station | Metal saw horses | More rigid build, stands up to repeated use, suited to a fixed work area |
| Small vans and snagging work | Compact foldable saw horse | Takes up less room, quick in and out, useful for short runs and lighter support jobs |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying on price alone usually gets you flimsy trestles that wobble under load. Check the load rating and frame design first, especially if you are supporting doors, worktops or stacked timber.
- Using one saw horse instead of a proper pair leaves long material unsupported and unsafe. For most cutting and bench setups, use two so the work stays level and stable.
- Cutting without securing the work is where slips and spoiled material happen. If the top suits it, clamp the piece down before you start the saw.
- Choosing bulky fixed trestles for van work soon becomes a nuisance on busy jobs. If they are being moved daily, folding models are usually the smarter choice.
- Overloading the top rail with concentrated weight in one spot can bend or twist lighter models. Spread the load properly or step up to heavy duty saw horses built for that kind of graft.
Folding Saw Horses vs Heavy Duty Trestles vs Work Benches
Folding Saw Horses
Best for mobile trades who need quick setup and easy storage in the van. They are ideal for general cutting and support jobs, but lighter models are not the one for big worktops or repeated heavy loading.
Heavy Duty Trestles
These are the better call when the material is heavier, longer or more awkward. They take more abuse and usually feel steadier under load, but they can be bulkier and less convenient if you're constantly moving site to site.
Work Benches
A work bench gives you a more complete setup for assembly, clamping and detailed prep. It is the stronger option for bench tasks, but for simple support and rough cutting, saw horses are quicker and often easier to live with.
Maintenance and Care
Brush Off Dust and Swarf
At the end of the day, clear off sawdust, plaster dust and metal swarf so hinges and locking points keep working properly and do not gum up.
Check Hinges and Locks
Folding trestles only work safely if the legs lock out cleanly. If the mechanism is bent, stiff or not engaging properly, deal with it before the next cut.
Store Them Dry
Wet storage in the van or container soon brings rust on metal parts and swelling on timber rails. Let them dry off before stacking them away.
Watch the Top Rail
The top takes the abuse. If it is deeply cut up, bent or split, accuracy drops and the work sits badly, so repair it if possible or replace the unit.
Do Not Ignore Wobble
A shaky saw horse usually means loose fixings, a twisted frame or worn feet. Tighten what you can, but if the frame has gone out, retire it before it causes a bad cut or a dropped load.
Why Shop for Saw Horse and Trestles at ITS?
Whether you need a compact foldable saw horse for van work or heavy duty trestles for bigger cutting and bench setups, we've got the range covered. ITS stocks the lot in our own warehouse, so the saw horses and trestles you need are in stock and ready for next day delivery.
Saw Horse and Trestles FAQs
Why do they call it a saw horse?
Because the shape is a bit like a horse with four legs and a back, and its job is to hold timber while you cut it. On site, it simply means a portable support stand you can use on its own or as a pair for sawing, marking out and bench work.
Which is the best saw horse?
The best saw horse is the one that matches your load and how you work. For regular van work, go folding and easy to carry. For doors, worktops and heavier timber, choose heavy duty saw horses with a solid stance and a proper load rating. Do not just buy the cheapest pair and hope for the best.
How tall is a saw horse?
Most sit around normal working height for cutting and prep, but the exact height varies by model. The main thing is choosing a height that lets you work comfortably with the material supported and the saw clear, without bending over all day or lifting the work too high.
Are folding saw horses actually strong enough for trade use?
Yes, if you buy them by load rating rather than looks. Plenty of folding models are perfectly up to daily site cutting, but lighter DIY types will soon show their limits once you start loading doors, worktops or wet timber onto them.
Do I need one saw horse or a pair?
For most jobs, buy a pair. One is fine as an extra support, but proper cutting, bench setup and long material handling are safer and far less awkward when both ends are supported.
Can saw horses be used as a work bench?
Yes, that is one of the handiest uses for them. Lay boards across a saw horse pair and you have a quick trestle work bench for marking out, assembly, sanding and site prep. Just make sure the top is stable and the load is spread properly.
