Trestles

Posted 18 June 2018

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Trestles can be used to support stock or pieces in a variety of configurations and also as temporary work supports that are simple to make. Paul has used this style of trestle around the shop for years and used them in his workbench project to provide a solid base to work from.

Tool List

  • Knife
  • Square
  • Tape/Ruler (or both)
  • Smoothing plane (No 4)
  • Handsaw
  • Drill driver

26 Comments

  1. Hi! Wanted to double check if this is a mistake on your side or I miss something: in the cutting list there’s a gusset part and a drawing how to cut it to eight pieces, but if I count the number of triangular pieces on the trestle there’re twelve of them. Obviously from the given information I can derive how much more plywood I need for four additional triangles, just wanted to double check if you’re aware of the inconsistency 🙂

    Thanks for the project I was waiting for this one for some time, now it’s time to build a couple of them!

    1. I believe you are right. I had considered this too. Perhaps if the upper gussets were only put on one side then only 8 would be needed.

      If someone was making a pair they would need 3 of the gusset pieces to make 24 gussets.

      Thank you Paul and team for the nice little project.

  2. Mr. Sellers, where did you film this video? It’s not in your old shop, not in the new set/shop. Your home basement? Another part of the new studio/shop? Just curious since I see your old bench off to the side and those cabinets we’ve all come to love but they’re not in any of the videos from your new shop yet.
    Thanks,
    Daniel

  3. Very nice, Paul and team, thank-you!

    The YouTube version is immediately followed (I guess for now, while we await ‘Trestles Part 2’) with Sawhorses Part 2: all of which is to the good since the work-shop set-up process is presumably, Trestles, Saw Horses, Work-bench . . .

    Well, perhaps . . . given that the work bench is very nicely used to make the Sawhorses (btw, I *love* the foot scribing process there!).

    Again, Paul and team, thank-you! and very best wishes,

    John Courtneidge

  4. I’m unimpressed. Another giveaway aimed at YouTube. We waited 13 WEEKS for the duplicated Workbench series to end (his Workbench is behind him) and he’s still coping ‘Ray Mears’ fashion, on the floor. We’ve had The Coat-hook and the Bookshelf, can we move forward now? Please. The last great project was the Tool Cabinet.

  5. A minor point: On the plans, the isometric view (Drawing 2 of 2) shows the lower rail being narrower than the post it attaches to. But the dimensions show both as 1 1/2″ wide and the gusset would not attach properly if the rail was narrower than the post.

    Thanks for this.

  7. The trestles and sawhorses seem to have overlapping functionality. I’m curious if there are specific purposes for which one is better suited than the other. If anyone has thoughts or comments, please share. As with all these age old aides for work, I expect there must be some history for these items. I’d love to know more if there is more to know.

    1. I think they’re both handy to have around, but if limited in space I figured I’d rather have the sawhorses. I still remember the old workbench series Paul did in his garden, and the sawhorses were great in that. They’re also multi function, you could sit on them. Move them around, support all sorts of things. Sawhorses might be more versatile in that regard.

  8. Hey there. I’m only one or two shopping trips away from getting started on my first ever woodworking project; these trestles! I’ve noted that I’ll need (per individual trestle) x60 2″ screws for the gussets, x4 3″ screws for the base, and another x3 2″ screws for the caps. But there isn’t any mention of what gauge screw to buy. Does anybody have any tips for a novice like myself on which gauge I should buy? Tips for this particular project, as well as for future projects from this website would be super helpful.

    1. A general purpose construction wood screw would be good. Make sure it is self tapping. Self tapping screws have a slot through the threads at the tip.

      If you can find something identified as a deck screw, it is sure to be suitable.

  9. Thank you for this project. I am getting the supply ready to get started.

    I calculated that the overall height in the plan is 30″. Which height would be recommended for someone who is 6’5″? Maybe 35″? I am not sure how tall Paul is, or did he make it for an average person’s height?

    1. Hi,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Paul is 5ft 10” tall. He suggests making one perhaps 6” taller or so but to not glue the feet to the posts and try it first, then you could always remove them if you need to change the height.

      Kind Regards,
      Izzy

  10. Could you please explain why the gusset screws don’t collide. Paul is using 2 inch screws and the thickness of the materials is 1-1/2″ for the lumber + 1/2″ for the plywood. This means, as Paul commented in the video, that the screw goes through both materials fully. The pilot holes through the gussets are the same in each gusset. Everything in the photos look centered and symmetrical, and I would expect the screws from one side to collide with the screws from the other side. How do you avoid screw collision while maintaining the finished symmetrical look that I see in the photos?

    Thank you

      1. Izzy,
        Thank you for your response. It’s fascinating to watch Paul’s videos and realize just how much knowledge he possesses. I sometimes replay segments of his tutorials several times before I get it. I love those ‘aha!’ moments. Sometimes, it is not until I am actually building the piece that it all falls into place. In the trestles videos, for example, I knew I had to use 3-inch and 2-inch screws, but I had quite a research adventure before deciding that the size of the screws in question is probably #8, not #10 nor #6. Sometimes I wonder if Paul leaves a few stones un-turned, so that his students can enjoy the thrill of discovery for themselves. I don’t ever feel like he doesn’t give me enough information. Like all excellent teachers, he gives me just the correct amount.

  11. I have a material selection question for the gussets: is there any concern or trade-off in using O.S.B., aka chip-board, rather than plywood? I ask as I have surplus on hand. For the sake of completeness, for other readers sake, what about using MDF? Neglecting appearance concerns, just regarding strength. Thanks, much.

    1. Hi,

      Paul says:
      You can use anything you want, just be prepared to change it out because none of the man made board last as long as solid wood, though plywood would be a close second. Also, these other products you’re speaking of do not have the same strength.

      Kind Regards,
      Izzy

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