The Complete Handbook of Saw Stands

I've been framing for fifteen years and have bought four different stands in that time, all on gut feeling. This book finally gave me the language to explain why one of them was terrible and why my current one works. The chapter on load ratings and footprint math alone is worth the price. It reads like a foreman explaining things on the job, not a marketing brochure. I gave my apprentice the glossary to read and now he stops asking me which stand to buy.

It's a solid reference, but I expected more tables and spec sheets. The chapters on choosing and maintenance are good, and I did learn why my miter saw stand wobbles on gravel (the spreader bar thing makes sense now). But I was hoping for a comparative chart of the top brands with numbers, not just a description of what to look for. It left some of the research work to me, which felt like a missed opportunity for a handbook.

I run a small cabinet shop and we use a rolling stand for our table saw. The installation chapter on leveling and locking the wheels is exactly the kind of practical detail you don't find in the manual. The troubleshooting section for the quick-release clamp was a lifesaver last week. It's not a page-turner, but it's a book that earned its spot on my shop shelf. Minor gripe: the business opportunities chapter felt a bit long for me, but I can see its use for someone else.

Bought this for the rental side of my tool business. The chapter on brands and suppliers alone has helped me understand why certain stands hold up and others come back bent. The maintenance schedule is now photocopied and hanging in our service bay. Well worth the money, and I've already recommended it to two other rental shop owners. My only complaint is that I wish it had a few more photos, but the descriptions are clear enough.

As a hobbyist moving up from just using a couple of sawhorses, this was the exact level of detail I needed. The height adjustment math and the sections on managing long stock on uneven ground are things I hadn't considered. The book is dense but not dry, and the author clearly knows what they're talking about. I dock a star because the future trends chapter speculates a bit more than I'd like, but the core chapters are excellent.

The book is fine, but the title says 'Complete Handbook' and I feel like I read a lot of what I could find free in forums. The chapter on understanding saw stands is a bit academic for what is ultimately a piece of metal with legs. I did appreciate the FAQ and the part about cleaning the slides; that was new to me. If you've never used a saw stand, this is good. If you've been around jobsites for years, you'll skim a lot of it.

I do property maintenance and my pickup is my shop, so portability is everything. The criteria for evaluating weight versus stability were exactly what I needed. I ended up making a different purchase decision than I would have before reading the first three chapters. The glossary is also a nice touch for when my helper asks me what a work-stop is. Would have liked a laminated quick-reference card included, but as a reference book it's solid.

Finally, a book that treats this tool accessory like it actually matters. I've been through three stands in my home workshop because of wobbly frames and I thought it was my fault. The chapter on installation and usage gave me clear steps to check for level and understand lateral play. The maintenance section has already helped me salvage a stand I was about to scrap. This is the book I will recommend to every guy in my beginner woodworking class.