Rockwell’s JawHorse is a phenomenally well-recommend work support. It’s a portable clamp and workstand, and a number of accessories increase its versatility further.
Rockwell has upgraded the JawHorse and come out with the Jawhorse SheetMaster (RK9002), which is capable of clamping onto a full 4′ x 8′ sheet of plywood. Previously, if you wanted to clamp onto a full sheet, you would have to purchase a Plywood jaw for your JawHorse.
The SheetMaster has the same 2200 lb jaw clamping force and 600 lb weight capacity as the original JawHorse. In addition to the expanded jaw capacity of 0-49 inches, the SheetMaster features several additional upgrades:
- auto-locking leg latches for quicker setup and teardown
- 2 integrated inline skate-type wheels (replaces the Jawhorse’s roller) for better mobility
- 52.9 weight (+10 lbs compared to Jawhorse)
- new wider rear foot with non-slip grip and built-in hand grip/carry handle
Operation of the JawHorse SheetMaster is the same as with the original, with 8 inch x 3 inch foot-pump-action-adjusted steel jaws. The SheetMaster folds up into compact package for storage and transportation.
MSRP for the SheetMaster is $220, which is a bit cheaper than the Jawhorse ($180) plus plywood jaw add-on ($60). Even if you don’t think you need the 49″ jaw capacity of the SheetMaster, its improved wheel configuration and quicker setup and breakdown are great selling points. The only downside is the SheetMaster’s added heft, but this is overshadowed by its improvements.
Rockwell JawHorse Sheetmaster via Amazon
Rockwell Jawhorse
Product Info via Rockwell
Do you know if the Sheetmaster will come with the brackets to create support legs? I have the original Jawhorse with the plywood jaw. The plywood jaw kit contains screwholes on the jaw itself, so that support crossbeams can be attached, and brackets so support legs can be fashioned. without these crossbeams and legs, you run into two problems: First, thinner plywood (<3/4") will not be stiff enough to lay flat on the jawhorse without the the support legs. Second, the support legs and crossbeams make it easier to situate a large, heavy piece of plywood on the jawhorse, which is unwieldy and hard to "balance" on a jawhorse without the support legs.
Without the legs, you really cannot use the jawhorse to cut full sheets of plywood, even if the jaw is actually wide enough to clam it. If you look at the Sheetmaster pic above, you see that they are using a thick piece of plywood that is perfectly centered on the Sheetmaster. If the plywood is thin or the cut requires you to have the plywood off-centered, you still would need support legs for the Sheetmaster.
It does…I think. Take a look at this video. i just bought the jaw horse tonight and then I find the RK9002 SheetMaster. Looks like might have to take it bake. here’s the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiFMcfR8OIE
Andrew, that’s a great question! I wondered the same thing and fired off an email to Rockwell before the post went live. I hope to have an answer for you soon! Your explanation about why a support is needed for a full 4′x8′ sheet is also spot-on.
LOL I just purchased my jaw horse this weekend and was looking for the plywood accessory…. Why do I always buy things moments before they come out with a new release…. sigh.
You know, the same happens to me all the time. You may be able to return the JawHorse unopened or even opened w/ original packaging (you do keep packaging around for a while, right?!) and wait a bit for the SheetMaster to come out.
I bought the only floor model Woodcraft had…. no packaging. Does that make me the winner of the day?…. no it doesn’t. I should have asked for a discount!
The 1st-gen JawHorse is still a fantastic work stand, and I expect that it will continue to sell well even once the SheetMaster is released.
If you still have buyer’s remorse, you could still try returning the stand sans packaging, just as it was sold to you.
One thing I haven’t been able to find out is if this works with the standard accessories for the Jawhorse. For instance I recently received the welding clamping kit as a gift but not the Jawhorse itself (via my Amazon wishlist). I’m wondering if the Sheetmaster will be able to use it.