Shop-Made Bench Pads for Woodworking & Finishing
Bench pads are handy accessories to keep around the workshop. They raise a workpiece off the bench, help prevent scratches, and keep parts from sliding around while you work.
You can buy commercial versions, but I've been making my own for years. These triangular bench pads are easy to make from scraps of MDF, plywood, or hardwood. And with a little shelf liner and a few dowels, they can serve double duty as a finishing rack.
Cut the Triangular Bench Pads
Start by ripping a piece of MDF, plywood, or hardwood to 3" wide.
Set your table saw's miter gauge to 30° and make an angled cut at one end of the blank. Flip the workpiece over and make another cut to form the first triangular pad.
Continue flipping the blank between cuts to make as many pads as you need.
Once the triangles are cut, you're ready to add the features that make them more versatile.
Add a Slot for the Dowels
Each pad has a slot that accepts a dowel when you want to use the pads as finishing supports.
To make the slot, drill a series of overlapping holes, then smooth the opening with a file.
Next, use spray adhesive to attach nonslip shelf liner to the pads. The liner helps keep workpieces from shifting and provides a little cushioning against scratches.
Trim the liner to fit, but leave the pointed tip of each triangle exposed. This prevents the liner from contacting a wet finish when the pads are used as a drying rack.
Turn the Pads into a Finishing Rack
When it's time to apply a finish, insert dowels into the slots to create a simple support rack.
The dowels hold the workpiece above the bench, keeping it away from the nonslip liner while the finish dries.
Once you're finished, remove the dowels and the pads are ready for everyday use again.
It's a simple project that turns a few scraps into two useful workshop accessories.
Get Better Wood Finishing Results
Good finishing starts with proper preparation and the right techniques. Learn how to prepare wood surfaces, apply finishes by hand or spray, and set up a practical finishing area with the Home Shop Finishing course from the editors of Woodsmith and Popular Woodworking.
