Sometimes the best woodworking shop improvements come from simple materials you already have on hand. A few small wood blocks, a marker, an old keyboard tray, or a piece of plastic laminate can solve everyday problems without requiring an expensive accessory or complicated jig.
In this edition of Woodsmith Quick Tips, five readers share clever ways to improve clamping, keep track of sanding grits, add convenient workbench storage, prevent small cutoffs from falling into a band saw, and organize notes in the shop.
1. Make V-Groove Clamp Cauls for Curved Workpieces
Clamping curved or round workpieces can be frustrating when the flat pads of a bar clamp don't make secure contact. The clamp may shift as you tighten it, making it difficult to keep the parts properly aligned.
Emanuel Ringel of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, came up with a simple solution using a pair of shop-made clamp cauls. He cuts a V-groove into small wood blocks and screws them to the pads of his bar clamps. The angled faces provide two contact points against the curved workpiece, helping stabilize the clamp and distribute pressure more evenly.
It's an easy modification that can make clamping round stock and other curved shapes much more manageable. Make the blocks from scrap hardwood or plywood, and size the V-grooves to suit the workpieces you commonly clamp.
Shop tip submitted by Emanuel Ringel, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.
2. Label Sanding Discs to Keep Track of the Grit
When switching between sanding grits, it's easy to lose track of which disc is installed on your random-orbit sander. The grit number is usually printed on the back of the disc, where it's hidden once the disc is attached to the sanding pad.
Rich Flynn of Huntington Beach, California, solves this problem with a permanent marker. Before installing a sanding disc, he writes the grit number in the center of its abrasive face. That way, he can identify the grit at a glance, even after the sander has been put away between projects.
This simple labeling trick makes it easier to work through a consistent sanding sequence without accidentally skipping a grit or switching back to a coarser abrasive.
Shop tip submitted by Rich Flynn, Huntington Beach, California.
3. Repurpose a Keyboard Tray for Under-Workbench Storage
Keeping small tools and project hardware within reach is convenient, but leaving everything on top of the workbench can quickly clutter your work area. A shallow sliding tray offers a way to add storage without sacrificing valuable bench space.
Instead of throwing away an old keyboard tray, Robert Wintrow of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, installed it beneath his workbench. The tray provides an extra surface for holding tools, fasteners, and other small items while he's working. When he no longer needs them, he simply slides the tray back under the bench.
It's a practical way to reuse an existing accessory and make better use of otherwise empty space. Just make sure the tray and its slides are securely mounted and positioned so they don't interfere with your normal workbench operations.
Shop tip submitted by Robert Wintrow, Ridge Spring, South Carolina.
4. Make a Zero-Clearance Band Saw Table from Plastic Laminate
When cutting small parts at the band saw, narrow cutoffs can sometimes fall into the opening around the blade. They may become lodged in the throat plate, interrupting the cut and making cleanup more difficult.
Peter Sherrill of Forestville, Wisconsin, came up with an easy solution using a piece of plastic laminate. He cuts a narrow kerf in the laminate to accommodate the blade, creating a temporary zero-clearance surface that supports small workpieces and cutoffs close to the cutting edge.
Double-sided tape holds the laminate in place on the band saw table. The close-fitting kerf reduces the gap around the blade, helping keep small pieces from dropping into the opening below.
Woodsmith Tip: Make sure the laminate is securely attached and lies flat on the table. Keep it clear of the blade's moving teeth, and use appropriate push sticks or other workholding aids when cutting small parts.
Shop tip submitted by Peter Sherrill, Forestville, Wisconsin.
5. Turn Cabinet Doors into Shop Whiteboards
Project measurements, cut lists, and reminders often end up scribbled on scraps of paper that disappear just when you need them. A dedicated place for shop notes makes it easier to keep important information organized and close at hand.
Bob Schultz of Charlottesville, Virginia, found a simple way to create that space without taking up additional wall area. He applies peel-and-stick whiteboard vinyl to the recessed panels of his shop cabinet doors. The material can be cut to fit the available space, turning each door into a convenient writing surface.
With a dry-erase marker, he can jot down dimensions, make a quick sketch, or leave himself a reminder while working on a project. When the information is no longer needed, he can simply wipe the surface clean and start again.
It's an inexpensive shop organization upgrade that makes use of space you already have.
Shop tip submitted by Bob Schultz, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Small Shop Improvements That Make Woodworking Easier
These five woodworking tips show how simple modifications can solve common shop frustrations. Whether you're trying to hold a curved workpiece securely, identify a sanding disc, organize tools beneath your bench, or keep small band saw cutoffs under control, a little ingenuity can make the job easier.
Before buying another accessory, take a look at the materials and unused equipment already in your shop. Sometimes the solution is as simple as a few wood scraps, a piece of tape, or an old keyboard tray. project.
