Best Sawhorses, Roller Stands, and Material Support for the Shop and Job Site

Sawhorses and work supports are among the most undervalued productivity tools in woodworking and construction. A pair of sawhorses extends your workspace, supports sheet goods during cutting, and provides a stable surface for assembly and painting at a comfortable height. This guide covers the best sawhorses, roller stands, and material support options for DIYers and contractors.

How We Evaluate Sawhorses and Supports

We tested sawhorses for load capacity, folding mechanism quality, height, stability on uneven ground, and portability when folded. For roller stands and outfeed supports, we evaluated height adjustability, roller smoothness, weight capacity, and compactness when not in use. A support that tips when a long board is fed through a table saw creates dangerous kickback conditions – stability is non-negotiable.

Top Picks

DeWalt DWX726 Miter Saw Stand – Best Miter Saw Support

A miter saw stand keeps the saw at the correct height for accurate cutting and provides outfeed support for long boards that would otherwise tip off the table. DeWalt’s rolling stand has rolling wheels for mobility, quick tool mounts that secure the saw without tools, integrated stop blocks for repeat cuts, and a wide footprint for stability. For any contractor or serious DIYer who uses a miter saw at multiple locations, a proper stand is a significant upgrade over ad-hoc setups.

• Pros: Rolling mobility, quick tool mount, integrated stop blocks, wide stable footprint, outfeed support
• Cons: Expensive for a saw stand, heavy (60 lb), sets up takes a few minutes

Bora Centipede Sawhorse – Best for Sheet Goods

The Bora Centipede sets up in seconds by unfolding into an X-frame that holds an included 4×8-foot crosspiece system. Set sheet goods across the crosspieces and cut without sheets hanging unsupported off the edges. The 4-foot setup supports a full sheet without the sagging that kills circular saw cut quality in unsupported plywood. Compact when folded, weighs under 20 lb, and provides 1,000 lb capacity. The most useful sheet goods support system for DIYers who regularly cut plywood.

• Pros: Sets up in seconds, supports full 4×8 sheet, 1000-lb capacity, compact when folded, light
• Cons’:’Crosspieces add storage challenge, lower height than standard sawhorses for tall workers

Werner PST-6 Pro Sawhorse – Best Traditional Sawhorse

Werner’s fiberglass sawhorses provide 1,000-lb capacity per pair, a 2×4 ledge bracket for clamping boards across the horses, and slip-resistant rubber feet that stay put on concrete and grass. The fiberglass construction resists the chemical spills that degrade metal and wood horses over time. They fold completely flat for van and truck storage. A pair of quality sawhorses handles 90% of job-site material support tasks.

• Pros: 1000-lb capacity, 2×4 bracket for clamping, slip-resistant feet, fiberglass resists chemicals, folds flat
• Cons’:’Not height-adjustable (fixed height), fiberglass can crack under sudden point loads

Rockler Roller Stand – Best Roller Outfeed Support

Roller stands support long boards as they exit a table saw, jointer, or router table – preventing the far end of the board from drooping, which causes inaccurate cuts and potential kickback. Rockler’s adjustable roller stand reaches from 26 to 46 inches to match table heights, the V-groove roller centers round stock while the flat roller handles boards, and the weighted base provides stability without requiring anchoring. Every shop with a table saw or jointer needs outfeed support.

• Pros: Height adjustable 26-46 inches, V-groove and flat roller, weighted stable base, handles boards and round stock
• Cons’:’Single roller limits support for very wide stock, can tip if outfeed load is significantly off-center

HTC Products HTC1300 Super Stand – Best for Table Saw Outfeed

A dedicated table saw outfeed support prevents the board-dropping that causes dangerous kickback on long cuts. The HTC Super Stand provides a 9×26-inch table that supports boards as they exit the saw, with height adjustment from 27 to 44 inches to match saw table height precisely. The large table surface catches boards that roller stands might let tip sideways. An essential safety and quality upgrade for any shop with a table saw.

• Pros: Wide table surface catches any board size, 27-44 inch height range, stable at saw height, prevents kickback
• Cons’:’Setup required when moving saws, less versatile than roller stands for different machine types

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sawhorses do I need? A minimum of 2 for any support task. 3 provides better support for long or heavy sheet goods. 4 allows you to set up two independent work surfaces simultaneously – ideal for assembly and painting.

Should I build or buy sawhorses? Build them from 2×4 lumber if you want custom height. Buy them if you want portability and durability. Purchased sawhorses like Werner’s are more durable than most built versions and fold for compact transport. DIY sawhorses save money and can be taller or wider than commercial options.

How do I prevent sawhorses from scratching finished wood? Carpet or foam adhesive strips on the top surface prevent marring. Alternatively, clamp a piece of scrap across the sawhorses to create a sacrificial work surface that takes the scratches.

Do I need an outfeed roller for a miter saw? Yes if you’re cutting boards longer than about 4 feet. The unsupported end of a 10-foot board droops during a miter cut, pulling the near end up and creating an inaccurate cut at the same time. A roller at the far end keeps the board level through the cut.

Bottom Line

DeWalt’s miter saw stand earns Best Overall for turning any location into a proper miter saw setup. The Bora Centipede is the best sheet goods support – nothing else sets up as fast or supports a full sheet as well. A pair of Werner sawhorses handles everything else. These three pieces of support equipment cover the full range of material support needs in any serious DIY shop.