PONY Portable Folding Work Table, 2-in-1 as Sawhorse & Workbench, 31” W×25” D×25”-35”H, Large Load Capacity with 4pcs Clamps, 4pcs Bench Dogs

Why I reached for a folding bench—and kept reaching for this one

I’ve used plenty of portable work surfaces that promise versatility and then force you to compromise. The Pony folding work table is the first I’ve used that reliably behaves like two different tools—a stable clamping workbench and a stout sawhorse—without feeling like a gimmick. After several weeks of projects in the shop, driveway, and backyard, it’s earned a permanent spot near the door because it solves more problems than it creates.

Design and build quality

The top is a reinforced composite with integrated dog holes and channels for the included clamps. The legs are aluminum, which matters: they’re stiff, they don’t wobble under load, and they don’t rust if you’re working outdoors. The bench feels substantial in the hands—heavier than a budget plastic table—but the rigidity pays dividends once you start planing, sanding, or clamping assemblies. The fold-out wings lock into place and sit flush, creating a surprisingly flat 31-by-25-inch surface when opened.

It’s rated for 500 lb in workbench mode and up to 1000 lb as a sawhorse. Within reason, I treated it like a real bench. I’ve clamped cabinet sides for routing dadoes, dry-fitted a face frame, and supported a benchtop planer without drama. The surface won’t replace a thick slab for pounding mortises, but for most carpentry and DIY tasks, it’s rock solid.

Setup, folding, and portability

Setup is fast: unfold, lock the legs, choose one of six height settings, and you’re working. Converting to sawhorse mode is essentially the reverse—fold the wings, lock them shut, and you have a narrow, robust support. I appreciate that the mechanisms are simple and positive. There’s no hunting for levers underneath or trying to align multiple detents at once.

When it’s time to move or store, it folds flat and slides behind a shelf or into a trunk. It’s not featherweight; if you’re carrying it long distances or up stairs frequently, you’ll feel it. My workaround in the shop was to park it on a plywood dolly with locking casters, which turns it into a roll-away station while keeping all the folding convenience.

Height adjustment that actually helps

Six height positions sound like a check-box feature until you use them on a real job. I routinely change the bench height between sanding, assembly, and routing: high for close-in control during edge profiling, mid for planing and sanding panels, and lower for seated repairs or when I need to put body weight into a hand saw. The top reaches roughly the mid-30-inch range at its tallest, which suits taller users, and drops low enough to sit on a stool for fiddly tasks or laptop-on-the-job planning.

The adjustments are secure and don’t introduce wobble. As with any folding bench, make sure each leg is fully locked before you trust it under load.

Clamping and workholding

The included workholding is what separates this table from generic folding platforms. In the box, you get:

• Two 12-inch medium-duty E‑Z HOLD bar clamps
• Two 6-inch light-duty E‑Z HOLD bar clamps
• Two large bench dogs and two small bench dogs
• Two safety straps

The clamps slide into the table’s channels so they act like hold-downs rather than just edge clamps. That keeps both hands free and opens up useful configurations: pin a cabinet side against dogs, then lock it down with a pair of clamps for sanding; set up a makeshift MFT-style stop system for repeatable crosscuts with a track saw; capture a door vertically for hinge mortising.

The bench dogs fit snugly and provide reliable panel stops. If you’re gluing up frames or trim, the combination of dogs and clamps lets you assemble flat without chasing parts around the bench. The safety straps are straightforward tie-downs—handy for securing long stock in sawhorse mode or preventing a quirky workpiece from skating off when you change orientation.

Practical tip: add a sacrificial 1/4-inch MDF or cardboard cover when you’re cutting through or using adhesives. It preserves the top and gives you a fresh surface when the old one is chewed up.

Sawhorse mode: genuinely stout

Fold the wings and you have a narrow support rated to 1000 lb. Used alone, it’s great for edge work, small engine maintenance, and supporting one end of long material while you work off a fixed support at the other end. As a pair, they’d make a very capable platform for sheet goods or temporary staging. I used the straps in this mode to lash down a beveled countertop for scribing, and the setup didn’t budge.

Because the conversion is tool-free and quick, I found myself switching modes multiple times in a project rather than dragging out separate sawhorses. That’s the time-saver here—fewer trips, fewer compromises.

Stability and feel under load

The wide stance and braced aluminum legs keep the table planted. On flat surfaces—concrete, decking, the shop floor—it feels confident at any height. On uneven pavers or lawn, you’ll need to pick a height that eliminates rocking; there aren’t micro-adjust feet, so the six fixed positions are your adjustment range. Once you find the sweet spot, it holds.

With the wings open, the top remains flat across the gap. There’s a bit of give if you try to pry directly against the furthest edge—this is a composite top after all—but not enough to affect real work. Use bench dogs and clamp across the surface rather than at the extreme edge if you’re doing heavy chiseling or prying.

Everyday workflow in a small shop

For those of us who mix garage, driveway, and basement spaces, this table solves common bottlenecks:

• Overflow assembly: When my main bench is covered in a glue-up, I unfold this at a different height to sand parts without stooping.
• Tool stand: It supports a benchtop sander or planer without creeping, then folds away.
• Cutting station: With a straightedge, dogs, and clamps, it becomes a safe platform for circular-saw rips and crosscuts.
• Repair platform: I’ve serviced a snow blower and a mower on a cardboard-covered top—much easier than hunching over the floor.

It also encourages safer workholding. When clamps and dogs are baked into the design, you reach for them first instead of improvising.

Durability and maintenance

The composite top shrugs off typical shop abuse, but it will scar if you chisel directly against it or set down a hot grinder. Treat it like a tool surface, not an anvil. Blow out sawdust from the leg locks and clamp channels occasionally; grit can make any folding mechanism feel gritty over time. The aluminum legs don’t seem fussy—wipe them down if you work in the rain.

Where it could be better

• Weight: It’s not the lightest portable bench. The solidity is worth it for me, but if your priority is one-handed carry over long distances, plan on a rolling solution or a lighter duty table.
• Outdoor leveling: On very uneven ground, the fixed height steps limit how precisely you can level the top. It’s manageable with some foresight about orientation.
• Plastic surface limits: The top is not for metal fabrication or hammer-heavy joinery. Use a sacrificial layer or move those tasks to a dedicated surface.

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re part of choosing a stout, folding platform that’s still portable.

Value and who it’s for

Getting four compatible clamps, four bench dogs, and safety straps in the box matters. You can put the table to work at full capability on day one, and you’re not nickel-and-dimed into buying the basics. The dual ratings (500 lb bench, 1000 lb sawhorse), six height settings, and rapid mode switch justify the price more than the spec sheet alone.

I’d recommend it to:

• Woodworkers and DIYers who need an auxiliary bench with real clamping capability
• Homeowners who want a rolling task station for repairs and seasonal maintenance
• Pros who bounce between job sites and prefer one platform that covers assembly, cutting, and support tasks

If your work is mostly light-duty and your top priority is ultra-light carry, you may prefer a smaller, simpler table. If you need a surface for metal pounding or welding, look at steel benches instead.

Recommendation

I recommend the Pony folding work table. It’s sturdy in practice, not just on paper; the height adjustability improves ergonomics across tasks; and the integrated clamping ecosystem—with clamps, dogs, and straps included—makes daily work safer and faster. It’s heavier than minimalist options, but that heft translates to stability and load capacity you can trust. For a small shop or a mobile setup, it’s an easy win.