Build a Knockdown Shave Horse

PROJECT #1901

 Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 6 hrs.

Cost: $100

I’m based in Brooklyn, where finding space to work is one of the greater challenges. Many woodworkers make-do with small shared workshops or even their apartments. With this in mind, I approached Joel Moskowitz at Tools for Working Wood with the idea to teach a knockdown shave horse class. He said, “Great, come up with a design!" We agreed the design should have the stability and strength of traditional shave horses, paired with the option to be broken down. The resulting design uses affordable materials, is buildable in a short period of time, and is easily disassembled and stored. Tools for Working Wood offers a hardware kit (including full plans), and I teach the class several times a year. The building of the bench itself requires minimal machinery, and the finished product uses threaded inserts and bolts to allow the legs and clamp arm unit to be easily removed.

Cut the Shoulders

Once your lumber is cut