Shop Tips » Stitch & Glue Boatbuilding Tips

Sawhorses and Slings

If you have some lumber handy, take the time to make up a pair of proper sawhorses (for boatbuilding) and slings (for finish work).

 Here are our favorite sawhorses and slings at the CLC Shop. Easy to build, good woodworking practice, and nice to show. They use 2x4 lumber.

1. The bottoms are 20"; the verticals are 36".











2. A piece of webbing across the verticals makes a sling which is gentle on the boat's finish.



3. For boatbuilding, a 2x4 notched into the verticals makes sturdy and handsome sawhorses. There are a million possible variations.

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. 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.

1. Use 2" PVC pipe, with end caps and elbow joints.
2. If you're careful with the proportions, the sling will fold flat for storage.