What you’ll build
Each trestle is a 20″ top cleat with two 2x4 legs angled out at 15° and a 2x3 stretcher across them. A 38½″ 2x3 stretcher joins the trestles, and a 1¼″-thick (5/4) panel makes the top.
Shopping list
Buy these boards. The list fits every cut onto standard lengths and leaves ⅛″ for each saw cut and ¼″ for trimming board ends.
| Lumber | Length | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4 | 8 ft | 2 |
| 2x3 | 8 ft | 1 |
| 5/4 panel | Cut to length | 1 |
| 3x4 | Cut to length | 2 |
Cut list
All 10 parts, grouped so you can cut matching pieces together. Exact lengths and end-cut angles for every part are in the free plan in the TimberLab app.
| Part | Lumber | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Leg | 2x4 | 4 |
| Top Cleat | 3x4 | 2 |
| Stretcher | 2x3 | 2 |
| Top Tabletop | 5/4 panel | 1 |
| Stretcher | 2x3 | 1 |
Tools
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Speed square
- Eye & ear protection
- Drill
- Miter saw
- Circular saw
- Clamps
- Sander
Step-by-step instructions
Assemble Left Leg Frame
Lay the 20-inch left top cleat flat on your work surface. Align the angled ends of the left front and back legs against the bottom face of the cleat. Fit the 16-inch lower side stretcher between the legs, keeping the outer faces flush, and clamp the assembly flat.
Assemble Right Leg Frame
Lay the 20-inch right top cleat flat on your work surface mirroring the first frame. Position the front and back legs against the bottom face of the cleat with bevels aligned. Fit the 16-inch right side stretcher between the legs and clamp all joints firmly.
Connect Base Frames
Set Desktop
Get the full plan: all 4 steps and every cut length.
Download TimberLab and open Sawhorse desk in the catalog to get every cut length and end-cut angle, all 4 assembly steps in 3D, and Timbo, the AI build helper. Catalog plans are free to open; some features, such as AI edits, require a subscription.
Check the base for wobble before you add the top, and use glue plus screws at the joints that carry weight. Sand every edge a hand or leg can catch.
Change the size or design
This plan is one of the projects in the TimberLab app’s catalog. In the app you can turn the model in 3D, follow the assembly steps one part at a time, and ask for changes in plain words, such as “make it 6 inches shorter” or “add a shelf”. The cut list and shopping list update to match the new design.
Questions about this plan
How much lumber do I need to build this sawhorse desk?
The shopping list calls for 2 × 2x4 at 8 ft; 1 × 2x3 at 8 ft; 1 × 5/4 panel (cut to length); 2 × 3x4 (cut to length). It groups every cut onto standard board lengths and leaves room for saw cuts and trimming the board ends.
How big is the finished sawhorse desk?
It is 52″ wide, 30″ tall, and 26″ deep.
What tools do I need?
You need a tape measure, pencil, speed square, eye & ear protection, drill, miter saw, circular saw, clamps, sander.
Can I change the size of this sawhorse desk?
Yes. Open the sawhorse desk in the TimberLab app and describe the change in plain words, such as “make it 6 inches shorter”. The 3D model, cut list, and shopping list update together.
Where can I get the full sawhorse desk plan?
The full plan, with every cut length and all 4 assembly steps in 3D, is free in the TimberLab app. Download TimberLab on the App Store and open the sawhorse desk in its catalog.
