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Buying Guide
Portable Workbench vs. Sawhorses and Plywood
Sawhorses and a sheet of plywood will hold material. A portable workbench gives you a flat, rigid surface you can clamp to, cut on, and set up the same way every time. If you cut and fit every day, the difference shows up in your work.
Designed in Boulder, COBy a trim carpenter
Tool-Free SetupAbout one minute
Direct SupportTalk to Rob, the inventor
Last updated
How the Two Setups Compare.
A side-by-side look at what changes when you move off sawhorses.
| Factor | Sawhorses and Plywood | Portable Workbench |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low. Many people already own a pair. | Higher. A dedicated tool built for daily use. |
| Setup | Space the horses, lay the sheet, adjust until it's stable. | About a minute, no tools. Unfold the legs and level the feet. |
| Work surface | Plywood can flex between supports and shift on the horses. | Rigid aluminum frame supporting a precision-machined 2-piece top. |
| Clamping | Mostly along the edges of the sheet. | A 20mm dog-hole grid on top and clamp tracks along both sides. |
| Repeatable cuts | Measure and square again for every setup. | Fences, stops, and guide rail brackets hold a repeatable reference. |
| Cutting through | The blade cuts into your sheet or a foam board. | A Replaceable Cut Strip you can flip and reuse. |
| Working height | Depends on your sawhorses. | 35.5" neutral height, adjustable up to 7/8" at each foot. |
| Uneven ground | Shims under the legs. | Pivoting feet adjust to angled or uneven floors. |
| Transport | Several loose pieces plus a full sheet. | Folds flat to 3.5" (Dash-Board) or 6.5" (ShortCut). |
| Capacity | Limited by the sheet you're working on. | Rips up to 100" and crosscuts over 48" on the Dash-Board with a track saw and accessories. Benches connect for more. |
Workbench specs shown are for the Dash-Board Workbench and ShortCut Workbench.
01 / SETUP
From the truck to working in about a minute.
No horses to space out, no sheet to wrestle into place, no shims. Unfold the legs, lock them, level the feet, and you're working.
- Tool-free setup
- Pivoting, adjustable feet for uneven ground
- Folds flat for the truck or the shop wall
02 / ACCURACY
Set it once. Cut it right all day.
On sawhorses, every cut starts with measuring, squaring, and hoping the sheet doesn't move. On a Dash-Board, fences, stops, and guide rail brackets give you a reference you can come back to.
- 20mm dog-hole grid on the benchtop
- Clamp tracks along both sides for brackets and stops
- Works with major guide rail brands
03 / SURFACE
Stop cutting into your work surface.
Plywood on sawhorses ends up as the sacrificial layer. Our 2-piece top is built around a Replaceable Cut Strip. Flip it and reuse it before you ever replace it.
- Full-thickness, flip-and-reuse cut strip
- Aluminum TopLink and stretchers support the top
- Connects end-to-end and side-to-side
Which setup fits the way you actually work?
The Short Answer
Match the Tool to the Work
Sawhorses have earned their place on job sites. The question is whether they still fit the work you do now.
Sawhorses still make sense when
Rough CutsA little off doesn't matter.
Occasional UseYou need a surface a few times a year.
Messy WorkYou need a surface you don't mind wrecking.
Budget FirstCost has to come first right now.
A portable workbench pays off when
Daily CuttingYou cut and fit material every working day.
Finish WorkTrim and cabinet work demands accurate cuts.
Multiple SitesYou set up and break down on different jobs.
Full SheetsYou break down sheet goods without a table saw.
WHY WE BUILT IT
We Started on Sawhorses Too.
"As an independent, solo contractor, I needed a more capable platform than the typical set of sawhorses with an old door or sheet of CDX tossed across them."Rob Schumacher, inventor of the Dash-Board
Rob worked as a trim carpenter and cabinet installer before building the Dash-Board. Ten years of prototyping, testing, and real job site use later, it's the bench he wanted on every job.
What It Feels Like to Work Better.
Read all reviews★★★★★
“The Dash-Board® [The Dash-Board + Accessories Bundle] system has been my go-to work table since early prototype units and has greatly improved my on-site workbench and cutting process."
★★★★★
“As a professional carpenter and woodworker, I can easily describe The Dash-Board as my most highly coveted tool on site or in my shop. Its versatility, functionality, and mobility make it the centerpiece of my process and truly invaluable no matter where I am or what I'm doing."
★★★★★
“I bought a The Dash-Board and the Platinum Accessories Bundle and received it about February 20th. After only 2 1/2 months of experience with the Dash-Board, I wouldn’t want to be without it."
Frequently Asked Questions.
All FAQsIs a portable workbench worth it over sawhorses?
If you cut and fit material every day, usually yes. A rigid, flat surface with built-in clamping and repeatable stops saves setup time and cuts down on mistakes. If you only need a work surface a few times a year, sawhorses may be all you need.
Can you use a track saw on sawhorses and plywood?
Yes. Many people lay rigid foam board under the sheet so the blade can cut through without damage. The tradeoff is that you square and support every cut yourself, and the setup can shift while you work.
How do I keep from cutting into my workbench top?
Our benches use a 2-piece top built around a Replaceable Cut Strip. The blade runs into the strip, not the benchtop. When it wears, flip it over and keep going, then replace it when you need to.
How long does it take to set up a Dash-Board?
About a minute, with no tools. Unfold and lock the legs, level the feet, and tighten the knobs.
What's the working height of a Dash-Board?
35.5" (900 mm) at neutral height. Each foot raises up to 7/8" (22 mm) and pivots, so the bench levels on uneven or angled floors.
Can a portable workbench handle full sheets of plywood?
Yes. With a track saw, guide rail, and the right accessories, the Dash-Board rips up to 100" (2540 mm) and crosscuts over 48" (1219 mm). You can connect benches end-to-end or side-to-side for more capacity.
Which guide rails work with the Dash-Board?
Our Guide Rail Brackets work with Festool and Festool-style rails, including Makita, Powertec, and Milwaukee, plus Bosch/Mafell and DeWalt/Metabo rails.
Should I get the Dash-Board or the ShortCut?
The Dash-Board is our full-size bench for full-sheet work. The ShortCut is half as long, with the same depth, working height, top design, and accessory compatibility, so it fits smaller shops and vehicles. Two ShortCuts equal one Dash-Board.
There's a Better Way to Work.
Not sure which bench fits your work? Talk to Rob, the inventor, directly.
Resources & Help
Questions?
Questions about our products? View our extensive resources and educational videos or reach out to us Monday-Friday.
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