Some of the handiest workshop accessories are made from things you already have. An old sock can protect safety glasses, a scrap of MDF can become a convenient sanding station, and a used bucket can provide two useful shop containers.
In this collection of Woodsmith Quick Tips, four readers share simple ways to protect tools, work with small parts, reuse materials, and keep the benchtop in good condition.
1. Store Safety Glasses in a Clean Sock
Safety glasses are easy to leave on the workbench between tasks. Unfortunately, that's also where they can collect dust, get scratched by other tools, or get knocked onto the floor.
I use an old—but clean—sock to protect mine.
When I'm finished using my safety glasses, I slip them inside the sock before setting them on the bench or putting them away. The fabric helps keep dust off the lenses and provides a soft layer of protection if the glasses get bumped.
It's a simple storage solution that doesn't require buying a dedicated case.
Woodsmith Tip: Use a clean, soft sock without trapped chips or abrasive dust. Inspect your safety glasses regularly and replace them if the lenses are badly scratched or the frames are damaged.
Shop tip submitted by John Doyle, Ankeny, Iowa.
2. Make a Stationary Sanding Block for Small Parts
Small workpieces can be awkward to sand with a conventional handheld sanding block. Sometimes it's easier to keep the abrasive stationary and move the workpiece instead.
Scott Johnson of Pacific Grove, California, made a simple benchtop sanding block for this purpose.
He starts with a block of MDF and adds a cleat with a hardwood dowel on its underside. The dowel helps locate and secure the block on his bench.
Scott applies his choice of sandpaper to the block. With the sanding surface held in place, he can move small parts across the abrasive to refine their edges or surfaces.
It's a convenient arrangement for sanding pieces that are easier to control by hand than with a moving sanding tool.
Woodsmith Tip: Make sure the block is secure before sanding. Keep the workpiece flat against the abrasive when you need a straight edge or surface, and replace the sandpaper as it wears.
Shop tip submitted by Scott Johnson, Pacific Grove, California.
3. Recycle a Five-Gallon Bucket into Two Shop Containers
An old five-gallon bucket is useful around the shop, but James Bradley of Oceanside, California, found a way to get even more use out of one.
He cuts the bucket just below its upper structural rib. This leaves the main bucket and its handle intact, creating a shorter container that can still be carried around the shop.
Rather than discarding the removed section, James puts it to work, too.
The upper ring and lid form a shallow basin that he uses when cleaning saw blades. The low sides provide access to the blade while helping contain the cleaning solution.
It's a clever way to turn one discarded bucket into two useful shop accessories.
Woodsmith Tip: Smooth any sharp edges left by cutting the plastic. Disconnect saw blades from their machines before cleaning, and use a cleaner compatible with the blade and bucket material. Keep the basin away from children and pets, and follow the cleaner manufacturer's handling and disposal instructions.
Shop tip submitted by James Bradley, Oceanside, California.
4. Make a Simple Rest for Your Random Orbit Sander
A random orbit sander is a tool I reach for often, but setting it directly on the bench can leave the abrasive pad in contact with the worksurface.
Dan Martin of Appleton, Wisconsin, uses a spare sanding disc as a simple resting pad.
He places the disc face up so its soft loop backing provides a cushion beneath the sander. This keeps the sander's abrasive from resting directly against the benchtop.
The disc is small enough to leave near his sanding area, so he always has a convenient place to set the tool between passes.
Woodsmith Tip: Allow the sanding pad to stop completely before setting the tool down. Place the disc on a stable surface, with the soft backing facing up, and make sure the sander can't tip or slide off the bench.
Shop tip submitted by Dan Martin, Appleton, Wisconsin.
Simple Accessories for a More Convenient Workshop
These four reader-submitted tips show how ordinary materials can solve everyday shop problems. A clean sock protects safety glasses, an MDF block makes small-part sanding easier, a recycled bucket provides useful containers, and a spare sanding disc protects the bench beneath a resting sander.
Each idea is inexpensive and easy to adapt to your own workshop.
