The Centipede Sawhorse starts out as a compact metal frame that opens to create a surprisingly sturdy worksurface. I’ve been using one in place of conventional sawhorses for about six months. The Centipede Sawhorse ($49) opens to a 2-ft. by 4-ft. table that’s 31 in. tall. A larger version, the Centipede Support XL ($99), is the same height but has a 4×8 footprint.

Despite its lightweight frame, the sawhorse I have is rated at 1500 lb. What I like best about it is how easy it is to store and transport; it weighs only 11 lb. and folds to a manageable 6 in. by 9 in. by 38 in. Although I cover mine with a plywood top, you can use the included plastic X-cups to hold a pair of 2x4s lying flat, so you can cut sheet goods. The stand is flexible and conforms to somewhat uneven ground. You can drag it across a smooth floor when nothing is on it, but moving it with even a small amount of weight on top causes it to rack out of shape. Fortunately, the diagonals can be popped back into plane if you remove the load and set the stand up again. I find that sometimes the posts stick in the fitting that holds them to the feet, but the fix is simple: Pull on the posts one by one until you loosen the one that’s stuck.

Even with these quirks, the Centipede Sawhorse is a handy support for all kinds of job-site tasks and easily worth the price. I just wish the zippered case was bigger. Its small size makes it hard to get the folded stand inside.