The Rockwell JawHorse, a portable work clamping station, is still a great gadget, and it’s currently on sale at Amazon, seemingly as part of Amazon’s Father’s Day promotions.
The JawHorse’s design has not changed much in recent years. It still features all-steel construction, and the standard model’s capacity can clamp workpieces up to 37″ wide.
Rockwell says that the JawHorse can exert 2200 lbs of clamping pressure, and can support loads of up to 600 lbs.
Advertisement
I have used different versions of the JawHorse over the years, and still keep a standard model.
For me, this isn’t a must-have clamping tool anymore, and now that I think about it, my remaining test sample doesn’t see very regular use anymore. Although, this might be because I now have more specific-use clamps, vises, and work-holding equipment at my disposal.
The clamp’s usefulness is also tied to the types of projects I might be working on. It will see more use some years than in others.
But when I do break it out, the JawHorse’s convenience, ease of use, and clamping capabilities are very hard to beat.
I cannot say I’ve used the JawHorse in the manners they advertise in product photos, such as for holding cabinets, chairs, doors, and small engines. I mainly use mine for holding wood boards and cut sheets. It’s especially quick for setting up boards to be cut.
Rockwell’s JawHorse accessories are hard to find these days, if not permanently discontinued, and so it’s not easy to expand the JawHorse’s functionality very much. But, its clamping jaws and large working capacity make it easy to fit custom-cut DIY jaw inserts.
Advertisement
Would I buy one today? Honestly, I’m not sure. But I also refuse to part with my last test sample. It’s not quite a must-have for the types of things I occasionally use it for, but it does save me time and effort, and I know I’ll kick myself the moment I give it away.
Throw in a piece of 3/4″ plywood, and you have a quick portable work table in a pinch. I wouldn’t do heavy work on such a setup, but I’ve used it to create flat tray for holding tools and supplies at-reach and off the ground.
I suppose this is why the JawHorse has been such a popular holiday season tool gift idea in the past – it’s pricey and not quite a must-have in the same way as other types of irreplaceable tools – but it is a time and effort saver.
I also like the hands-free nature of the clamping action. You set it up, place your work in the jaws, and use the foot lever to apply clamping pressure, allowing for two-hand adjustment if you need things perfectly aligned.
The JawHorse is heavy (Amazon says 46.1 lbs for this model, RK9003), but it’s also strong and sturdy. I have had some frustrations with dual wheels or singular roller wheels, but they’re better than nothing. The current model has a roller wheel.
While not indispensable, the JawHorse is a fantastic work-holding accessory. It’s easy to use, versatile, and it folds into a compact shape for storage.
Sale Price: $159.99
Tim B.
I’ve heard all sorts of raves about this thing over the years, and have always wanted one of these…. though in perusing the amazon reviews just now, there seem to be a fair number of QC-related complaints. Honestly, I know those can and will happen with just about any company (and the number aren’t even enough to influence the star average rating on Amazon), but still fa bit interesting.
On a side note, was wondering if you or any other readers have ever used the RK9109 Plywood Jaw Accessory Attachment for it? That seems like it could be a very useful thing.
Farid
@Tim B.
I have one. I bought it on a big sale early on during one of the WOOT sales, thinking I might need it someday. It’s very heavy. I used it once to cut a large sheet, then I bought a table-saw and have not used it since for that purpose . It worked fine for what I needed. I was working by myself, so I didn’t have to worry about keeping the large sheet from flopping over.
I think if I use it again, it’ll be for an outdoor project , where it’s much easier to do the job with a circular saw as opposed to hauling the table-saw out of the basement or set up multiple saw horses.
I used again it last summer to help me rebuilt some faux shutters. I was short one pipe clamp and use it as a temporary clamp and as a third hand helper in a way.
The Jaw horse itself still comes in very handy every now and then. To me, it’s a keeper. I just can’t believe how much more expensive they are now.
Farid
I see now that Rockwell has the Rockwell RK9002 JawHorse Sheetmaster Portable Workstation . It can handle up to 49″ clamping without an add-on tool. Pricey though. LOL, I think I paid half as much for my jaw horse and the plywood add-on combined.
krashtd
I bought the Sheetmaster from Rockwell’s eBay store, as a “blemished” item due to box damage. Cheaper than the version Stuart is referencing above. Also got their JawStand the same way. Certainly can’t justify paying full retail price on the Sheetmaster now versus when I first looked at getting it 4 or 5 years ago.
Steve L
I use Toughbuilt C700s for easily moved supports and Bessey clamps. For what I do combining the two functions into one piece never made sense.
Bob
My wife has the Harbor Freight equivalent and really likes it. She uses it for wood carving and making small projects.
alex
Big fan of the jawhorse. It’s so versatile. You can use it to cut pipes, moldings, small tile trims, … Anything with an odd shape that a regular clamp has trouble holding.
Davethetool
Good article and covers me and my usage with the jawhorse as well. I have had it for about 5 years and although initially I found abundant uses for it including bike repair, I haven’t used it for a few years. I now have a separate bike repair stand and like Stuart mentioned I have other options for holding items to work on while cutting, etc. I honestly forgot I had this tool until I was rearranging my garage a couple of weeks ago and found it hidden from site. I am not being negative about the jawhorse as it has many wonderful features and depending on what you need it for it can be a god send! Also when I found it one of my first instincts was to sell mine but like Stuart mentioned, the same week I sell it is the same week I will specifically need it!
Rcward
There are many companies making the same thing. At cheaper price. They are a must have for any garage, no matter the brand.
Jason
There used to be but it seems harbor freight and Rigid discontinued theirs. Patent issues?
Stuart
The Triton design precedes the Rockwell JawHorse, and there were clones by many brands – Craftsman, Ridgid, HF (from what you say, I haven’t seen it), and others going back a little more than 12 years.
I’m not sure of Positec/Rockwell’s relationship to the Triton Superjaws, but if there were patent issues then that would affect the JawHorse and not the Triton clones which all looked to have originated from the same factory.
The JawHorse went up in price, and if the same is true about the Superjaws, its retail popularity might have waned too.
SamR
I got mine last month for $147 from HF, member price. It seems there are some branding issues. I see it sometime branded as Bauer and other times under the Franklin brand.
Eric J
I am in a similar situation. I’ve had it for a few years and used it pretty rarely. There are some instances for which it works great, such as planing the long side of a door, or threading pipe.
I also agree that I’m not ready to get rid of it, as there will come a project for which it is ideally suited.
MikeIt
I bought the Craftsman version years ago because it came with an extension to handle plywood. Rockwell had an extension as well but it was at an additional cost. I used the extension once but its not great at breaking down plywood. You can’t rip sheets because the jawhorse is in the way and its not so great at cross cutting because there is a lot of overhang and the sheet gets wobbly at the ends. You are better of using sawhorses. I used it for occasional clamping to cut or weld bits here and there. I made few attachments that I use more often. One is a bike repair stand. I made an “h” shaped upright with a bike clamp so I can work on my bikes. The other is a patio umbrella support so I can put some shade over my cars when I work on them in the driveway. The third one is a T brace that I use to help support liftgates or what ever needs supporting. I don’t use it often but I like having it around.
OldDominionDIYer
I have always liked the “jawhorse” but for me the value is not there, basically it’s too expensive for a clamp on legs. I would probably get one for around $70.00 bucks. Same goes for their fancy adjustable “jawstand” way too expensive for what you get should be around $40.00. Maybe they’ll drop the price by 50%!
Benjamen
I purchased a Rockwell Jawhorse several years ago, but there’s no way I paid $150+ I’m sure I got it for $75 or less. I’d probably replace it for $100 if I had to, otherwise I’d find something else.
While I really find the Jawhorse handy, it’s not $150 handy. I’d probably mount a vice to a sawhorse of something and cover about 70% of the use cases. Sure it wouldn’t be as compact to store, but it wouldn’t be clunky to set up like the Jawhorse either.
Joe S
I bought two for about $35 each on clearance at Lowe’s a couple years back. Been very happy with the one I have used on projects around the house. Probably because I got it so cheap, it’s a tank though.
Chris
I have only really used mine for one purpose but it does it extremely well. removing nails from 2x’s when reusing wood from an existing wall. The locking pressure easily holds the boards from moving when swinging a hammer at it up to ~8′ off center from the jaw because the tripod design works well. When it doesn’t want to stay upright because of the weight levered off the side, just stick your foot into one of the foot holds and keep going. It just works so much better than sawhorses or a portable table. no board bouncing around and you’re foot locks it in place. It’s almost like having three hands.
I just wish it wasn’t so cumbersome trying to store it. Even folded it is an awkward tank.
JoeM
I never owned one, but I wouldn’t say no to buying one. That price seems to reflect its legacy tool history. It started out as a “no, really, you can trust this thing” kind of deal, and here in Canada there was a Mastercraft/MotoMaster clone of it as well, in case you think it wasn’t as big a deal when it was released. If Canadian Tire makes a copy, you know the original was a serious tool. Why? CT House Brands are not knock-offs of the originals, they’re the originals with a CT House Brand on it.
So, if it started… I’m going to say 30 years ago now, because I have distinct memories of this thing in the early 90’s… then it was probably around $50 back then. The colours, and some of the surface materials may have changed/evolved/whatever over the years, and maybe even the original company might have changed… I don’t know… But after 30 years of it still being profitable to sell, I would say its current price reflects that success. It’s highly sought after, so manufacturing the same amount doesn’t make sense anymore. They have to play up its legacy, so the price is through the roof now.
But it’s not unreasonable, in my eyes. I’ll eventually get off my ass, and get a couple ToughBuilt C700’s, sure… but I won’t rule out one of these old beauties. Especially if I want a wood fireplace, or want to go camping. Wedge an axe-head in those jaws, with a log in there with it? That’s a nice, quiet, easily-used log splitter for firewood. There’s a hundred scenarios I can think of, where that much surface to clamp something would be useful, above and beyond what a standard Saw Horse can do.
Tim B.
Makeshift log splitter… now that’s a use-case I hadn’t thought of!
Big Richard
Even little electric log splitters have around 10,000 lbs of force, not sure if 2200 lbs is enough. I’ll try it this weekend and let you know if it works.
Jerry
Got one a few years ago when TG mentioned it was on sale. I don’t use it a lot, but I sure like it when I do. Anytime I need to clamp something while holding it with both hands I’m reminded how handy it is.
Dave
I bought one last time it was promoted here…. useful a few times then QC issues hit me and it was unusable…. bricked. Metal guys picked it up from my alley with a big smile on their faces because of its impressive weight.
Jason S.
I have one of these, an older model (maybe 6-7 years old). I have no QC issues with it. It works well. Great clamping power, very sturdy and collapses down for fairly easy storage. My biggest gripe is the weight. The thing weighs a ton. Because it’s so heavy and cumbersome, I just don’t use it that much. It works well, but not as quick and easy as my bench vise or my pony vise, and not even close for a quick workstation as a couple of light saw horses and a 1/2 sheet of plywood. It is a beast though and will probably last my lifetime.
Sean G.
Got mine at Lowes at an after holiday sale for $80. Worth every penny of $80. $160?? I’d probably pass at that price.
Charles
I have 2. They are basically useless. I’m not going to get rid of them, because they don’t take up much space and sometimes I dream up a use for them – I’m using one as an outboard stand.
If you don’t make yourself some version of a decent workbench I could come up with some odd cases for it.
In the real world, I’m a pro, and I have a better tool that does anything it does. And it’s too heavy to carry along randomly.
I’d love to know of use cases for it for people that have even a half assed workbench
Charles
And a followup – I have the plywood holder accessory. It’s utterly useless, anything it does is much better done by shop made sawhorses