DeWalt Adjustable Metal Legs Sawhorse

Why I picked this sawhorse

Folding, adjustable-height sawhorses are a sweet spot for small shops and on-the-go work. I wanted something I could throw in the truck, set up on uneven ground, and still feel confident putting a sheet of plywood or a door slab on. The DeWalt adjustable sawhorse caught my eye for a few reasons: independently adjustable legs with big, readable height markings; a V-groove in the top for holding pipe or dowels; rubberized feet and top inserts to protect finished surfaces; and a stout metal-and-plastic build. On paper, the pair rating of 2,500 lb is eye-catching, though I treat those numbers conservatively in practice.

After several months of mixed use—building a quick knockdown workbench, supporting a miter saw, breaking down sheet goods, and some outdoor carpentry—I’ve got a clear sense of where this sawhorse works well and where it comes up short.

Setup and adjustability

Out of the box, each unit folds and unfolds smoothly. The legs unlock, telescope by sliding, and re-lock securely. The independent adjustment is the standout. On a paver patio and on a driveway with a noticeable crown, I could quickly level the top by tweaking just the necessary legs. The height markings are large and easy to match from leg to leg, which speeds setup when you want both horses at the same working height.

The sliding mechanism works best when kept clean. Fine dust and grit make the action sticky over time, so I got in the habit of blowing out the channels and giving the sliders a quick wipe. That kept the locks clicking positively and prevented any mid-cut surprises.

Stability on uneven ground

With the legs dialed in, the sawhorse feels planted. The rubber feet do real work on slick garage concrete and finished floors—no scuffs and noticeably less skittering when you bump the work. The stance is wide enough that I never felt tippy, even with longer stock hanging off one side. If you’re frequently on rough terrain, the independent legs are the reason to buy this style over fixed-height units.

One note: because the horses are relatively light at about 10.6 lb apiece, inertia isn’t on your side when wrestling sheet goods. A strap around the pair or a sheet of plywood bridging both units adds a lot of stability for minimal effort.

Load handling and the real story behind the rating

DeWalt lists a 2,500 lb capacity per pair. I never test tools by pushing right to the sticker, and I wouldn’t recommend that here. Across a 3/4 in plywood top spanning two horses, I put roughly 300 lb of pavers evenly distributed for an afternoon glue-up. No drama. The tops stayed level and the legs didn’t creep.

Point loads are a different story. Concentrating a couple hundred pounds near a corner or dropping a heavy assembly onto the top introduces more flex and audible creaks from the plastic components. I saw stress whitening on one top corner after an ill-advised “plop” of a small but dense benchtop. It didn’t fail, but it was a reminder that the design mixes metal with critical plastic bits. Treat the rating as a measure of distributed, static load, not an invitation to stand on them or use them as scaffolding.

My rule for these: distributed loads good; point loads and dynamic impacts bad. If you’re building with wet lumber, handling slabs, or standing on your “platform,” step up to an all-steel jobsite horse or a site-built wood pair.

Workholding features that help

The V-groove in the top is simple and handy. I used it for trimming EMT conduit and dowels with a hacksaw and for keeping small round stock from wandering while sanding. It’s stable enough that I could use a single horse as a quick pipe stand for short cuts, though two feels safer with longer lengths.

The rubberized inserts on the top add grip and protect finished panels. When I’m sanding doors or painted trim, I like that I can lay down a moving blanket and the piece doesn’t skate around. There are also spots on the top where a 2x fits neatly; with two short sacrificial 2x runners, I made a fast, flat platform that accepts screws without chewing up the sawhorse.

Portability and storage

Folded, the profile is slim and easy to stash against a wall or behind a truck seat. The weight is light enough to carry one in each hand without strain, but they’re not flimsy. The metal components keep the structure rigid, and the plastic helps keep the bulk down. After repeated folds and unfolds, the hinges still track straight.

One thing I do recommend: give the hinges and sliding legs a quick inspection before big setups. I noticed a couple of fine hairline marks forming near the top hinge on one unit after a cold-weather project. They never propagated, but I wouldn’t subject these to repeated freeze-thaw impacts if you can avoid it. Like most tools with plastic, temperature and abuse matter.

Where it shines

• Leveling on uneven ground: The independent legs and clear markings make setup fast and repeatable.
• Protecting floors and finished work: Rubber feet and top inserts reduce slipping and prevent marring.
• Quick, modular workbench: Two horses plus a plywood top or a couple of 2x runners create a solid, portable station.
• Light-to-medium carpentry: Breaking down sheet goods, supporting a miter saw, finishing doors, or painting trim.

Where it falls short

• Heavy, concentrated loads: The mixed-material build doesn’t inspire confidence with point loads or dynamic impacts, despite the high published capacity.
• Long-term durability of plastic parts: The top assembly and hinges can show stress if mistreated, and grit in the leg sliders will make them cranky without basic maintenance.
• Not a platform: These are not a stand-in for staging or an elevated work platform. Keep your feet on the ground.

Tips to get the most from it

• Distribute weight: Bridge the pair with a plywood top or 2x runners for anything heavy. Avoid dropping material onto the top.
• Keep sliders clean: Blow out dust and wipe the legs occasionally to maintain smooth, positive locks.
• Pre-set heights: Use the large markings to set both horses to matching heights before carrying them to the work area; it speeds setup.
• Protect the tops: Use sacrificial strips when cutting to spare the plastic top and keep your blade out of harm’s way.
• Inspect regularly: Look for stress whitening or hairline marks near the top and at the leg locks, especially after cold weather or rough transport.

The bottom line

The DeWalt adjustable sawhorse earns its keep with thoughtful adjustability, a stable footprint, and floor-friendly rubber inserts. It’s quick to set up, easy to level on uneven ground, and versatile once you add a couple of 2x runners or a plywood slab. For the way many of us work—general carpentry, paint and finish support, and occasional shop tasks—it’s a practical, portable solution.

I do temper expectations around the load rating. Used smartly, a pair handles a few hundred pounds of distributed weight without complaint. Treated like a scaffold or subjected to concentrated impacts, the plastic elements remind you of their limits. If your workflow involves daily abuse, heavy wet lumber, or standing on your setup, an all-steel alternative or a stout set of site-built wooden horses is the better choice.

Recommendation: I recommend this sawhorse for DIYers and pros who prioritize portability and adjustability over sheer brute strength, and who will use it for light to medium-duty, distributed loads. It’s a capable, convenient pair when treated as a support tool—not as a platform—and maintained with basic care. For heavy, high-impact jobsite use, look elsewhere.