Sawhorses and Slings
There are an infinite variety of sawhorses (or "sawbucks," "boat stands", or whatever you prefer to call them). For boatbuilding classes, and for our own use, we need lots of them. I think I counted about 15 pairs spread throughout the shop of various style and height.
The design shown here is the shop favorite. They're 32 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and on the narrow side---ideal for kayaks or narrow craft like the Annapolis Wherry.
Depending on your own height and the size and shape of the boat you're building, you may want modify the height and width. I settled on these dimensions as they are simply the most ubiquitous style of sawhorse in our shop.
Click on the two thumbnails to the right for a convenient-to-print
and legible set of drawings.
The mortise-and-tenon joinery takes a little more time, but the sawhorses become essentially indestructible. Here at CLC, it's generally worth the time because we use these things so hard. Use ordinary carpenter's glue and drywall screws for assembly.
Here's an exploded view of how the CLC sawhorses go together, and a finished view.
One of the cool things about this style is that the top can be made removeable. Substitute a length of soft webbing, as shown, and you have slings that will hold a kayak or canoe gently for
finishing or refinishing.
While we're at it, here's a fancier, folding sling of such breathtaking simplicity and novel design that we had to share it. Credit for the design goes to Mike Haussman, who we encountered at a CLC demo in Sacramento. It uses 2" PVC pipe with various elbow joints and a little webbing to form a folding sling that we think deserves a design award.
- Use 2" PVC pipe, with end caps and elbow joints.
- If you're careful with the proportions, the sling will fold flat for storage.