In the Shop

Whether it’s a simple trick for holding a workpiece better, or a way to get a little more from your dust collector, we’ve gathered some of the best shop tips here.


4 Woodworking Shop Tips: Storage, Lighting & Drilling

4 Woodworking Shop Tips: Storage, Lighting & Drilling

Sometimes the simplest workshop solutions make the biggest difference. These four reader-submitted woodworking tips offer practical ways to organize hardware, … Read More

5 Clever Woodworking Tips for Your Shop

5 Clever Woodworking Tips for Your Shop

Sometimes the simplest shop solutions are the most useful. These five clever woodworking tips cover everything from organizing plans and … Read More

3 Clever Woodworking Shop Tips for Glueups, Clamps & Storage

3 Clever Woodworking Shop Tips for Glueups, Clamps & Storage

These clever reader-submitted shop tips make everyday woodworking tasks a little easier. From simplifying panel glueups to keeping frequently used … Read More

DIY Sawhorse Shelf for Tools & Shop Storage

DIY Sawhorse Shelf for Tools & Shop Storage

Put the unused space between your sawhorses to work. This simple removable shelf keeps pencils, tape measures, and small tools … Read More

DIY Marking Gauge: Make a Simple Woodworking Layout Tool

DIY Marking Gauge: Make a Simple Woodworking Layout Tool

Need a marking gauge in a pinch? With a short wooden dowel and a screw, you can make a simple … Read More

4 Woodworking Shop Tips: Sanding Discs, Band Saw Blades & Brush Cleaning

4 Woodworking Shop Tips: Sanding Discs, Band Saw Blades & Brush Cleaning

Make shop cleanup and maintenance easier with four clever tips for replacing adhesive sanding discs, soaking finish brushes, cleaning pitch … Read More

Ratchet Strap Koozie Corral: The Easiest Way to Keep Straps Organized

Ratchet Strap Koozie Corral: The Easiest Way to Keep Straps Organized

The best shop tips are often the simplest. See how an ordinary foam can koozie can keep ratchet straps—and even … Read More

Knock-Down Workbench Upgrade | Part 3: Shop-Made Accessories That Transform Your Bench

Knock-Down Workbench Upgrade | Part 3: Shop-Made Accessories That Transform Your Bench

After rebuilding and refreshing my knock-down workbench in Part 1 and adding aluminum T-track for expanded workholding in Part 2, … Read More

DIY Lathe Workstation: Easy Removable Work Surface

DIY Lathe Workstation: Easy Removable Work Surface

Add a convenient work surface to your wood lathe with this simple plywood workstation that locks into the lathe bed … Read More

Upgrading a Knock-Down Workbench with T-Track | More Clamping Power & Shop Flexibility (Part 2)

Upgrading a Knock-Down Workbench with T-Track | More Clamping Power & Shop Flexibility (Part 2)

After giving my trusty knock-down workbench a complete makeover in Part 1, it’s time to push it a step further … Read More

Knock-Down Workbench Upgrade | Part 1: Restoring a ShopNotes Classic

Knock-Down Workbench Upgrade | Part 1: Restoring a ShopNotes Classic

A long-time knock-down workbench gets a much-needed refresh after years of shop use, moves, and hard work—cleaned up, repaired, and … Read More

3 Clever Woodworking Shop Tips for Sandpaper, Pegboard & Push Pads

3 Clever Woodworking Shop Tips for Sandpaper, Pegboard & Push Pads

A thrift-store organizer, a modified clothespin, and a grout float can all find a useful home in your workshop. Try … Read More

DIY V-Block Jig: Hold Round Wood Securely

DIY V-Block Jig: Hold Round Wood Securely

Hold round and octagonal workpieces securely with this upgraded plywood V-block featuring a protective kerf, end stop, and removable extension. Read More

DIY Wedge Bench Stop: Simple Workbench Workholding Jig

DIY Wedge Bench Stop: Simple Workbench Workholding Jig

Hold workpieces securely without a bench vise using this simple wedge bench stop. It's easy to build from scraps and … Read More

How to Protect Your Workbench Top: 4 Simple Solutions

How to Protect Your Workbench Top: 4 Simple Solutions

Your workbench takes a beating, but a few inexpensive protective surfaces can prevent unnecessary damage. From hardboard and non-slip router … Read More