Make your own (cheaper!) standoffs
Advertisement
Hockey Puck Prop Up

Commercial bench risers excel at supporting a workpiece for routing, finishing, and other benchtop tasks. I've discovered that I can modify hockey pucks to use as bench risers for about one-third the cost of commercial ones. I purchased my pucks online but you might also find them in stores that sell used sports equipment. Shelf-liner material glued to the faces of each puck adds grip to keep the workpiece in place.

Make your own standoffs on the lathe by turning a shoulder that fits into a doghole. To make supports for applying a finish, use a length of 1/4" dowel, sharpen one end, and insert the opposite end into a hole drilled in the puck. The list of uses for these shop helpers is endless.

Have a shop tip to share? Email us your tip, photos or drawings, and contact info. Published tips earn money and tool prizes.