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A pair of angled sawhorse bases with threaded-rod legs that raise and lower — the same table works as a standing desk or drops to coffee-table height.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs Both ends 15° off square, ends ARE parallel (short point to long point). | 8 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 16 5/8" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Top and bottom caps | 4 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 23 1/2" | 2x6 | ☐ |
| Lower leg spacers Both ends 15°, ends NOT parallel (long point to long point). | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 5 3/8" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Upper leg spacers Both ends 15°, ends NOT parallel (long point to long point). | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 8 7/8" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Lower shelf slats | 4 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 23 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4 board, 8 ft (Pine or Fir) | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x6 board, 6 ft (Pine or Fir) | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x4 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| Tabletop, minimum 24" x 48" Anything flat and sturdy — the source laminated two layers of plywood. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 5/8" all-thread rod, 18" The adjustable legs. A different diameter works if the fittings match. | 4 each | ☐ |
| Floor flanges to match all-thread Thread the rod into these; fasten with screws no longer than 1-1/2". | 4 each | ☐ |
| Nuts to match all-thread | 8 each | ☐ |
| Washers to match all-thread | 8 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 2" and pocket screws 2-1/2" | 30 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Miter Saw, Pencil, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4 board, 8 ft
Set the miter saw to 15° and cut the eight leg pieces (parallel ends, short-point to long-point) first, then the spacer blocks (non-parallel ends, long-point to long-point). Batch by cut type so the saw setting stays consistent. Getting the parallel-vs-non-parallel distinction right is what makes the finished sawhorses sit flat.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set
Bore a square, centered 5/8" hole where each leg's all-thread will pass, doing it now while the pieces are loose — it's far cleaner than drilling into an assembled leg. A Forstner or spade bit in a drill works; back the exit side to avoid blowout.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x6 board, 6 ft, Wood screws, 2" and pocket screws 2-1/2", Wood glue
Fasten the legs to the underside of the 2x6 caps, flush to the outside edges, with 1-1/2" pocket holes and 2-1/2" pocket screws. This joint carries the whole load, so glue it and don't undersize the screws — it's very sturdy done this way.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 2x4 board, 8 ft, 1x4 board, 8 ft, Wood screws, 2" and pocket screws 2-1/2"
Attach the upper spacer support, then the lower one, keeping the all-thread holes aligned so the rod runs straight. Lay the 1x4 slats across the bottom support and screw or nail them down with 2" screws to make a lower shelf that also ties the base together.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Tabletop, minimum 24" x 48", 5/8" all-thread rod, 18", Floor flanges to match all-thread, Nuts to match all-thread, Washers to match all-thread
Screw the floor flanges to the leg tops (or the underside of the tabletop) with screws no longer than 1-1/2", then thread an all-thread rod into each, with nuts and washers above and below to lock the height. Wind them to standing-desk height or down to coffee-table height. Finally fasten the tabletop to the 2x6 caps.