The simple Saw Horse (Sawhorse?)

Step 7 Cutting the Legs

The legs are much simpler to cut out. In this case we are starting with 4- 24 inch long pieces of 1x6" lumber. One end needs a bevel to be cut on it, to match the 15 degrees like the side cuts on the top rail. You can also bevel the bottom of the leg, but I find it is not necessary. I have access to a compound miter saw that I used to cut the bevel onto the tops of the legs. If you have jigsaw, or a circular saw that can be adjusted to a 15 degree angle you can use that.

A little tip for those of you only using a handsaw. Cut the legs about an inch longer then you want them to be. And allow that extra inch to extend past the top of the top rail when you assemble them. Then when you are finished, use the saw to cut the legs flush with the top rail. See? You can build this project with just a handsaw and a drill. Don't think about the tools or skills that you don't have. Think about what you can do with the tools and skills you do have.

The taper: Tapering the legs is not absolutely necessary. But it does save some weight and adds a certain look to the project. Cutting the taper is very easy. First measure out the length of the non tapered top section and mark it. Then find the center of the bottom of the leg, and make a mark. Then simply connect the two marks with something that is straight. And cut along the line. You can do this with a circular saw, a band saw, a jigsaw, a handsaw, or if you have access to a shop with table saw and a tapering jig, you can use that. 

When you go to lay out the tapers on the legs, remember that the top is angled. And if you taper it the wrong way,  you will end up with 4 right or left legs, instead of 2 lefts and two rights. If you keep them stacked up in sets you reduce your chances of a problem.