I picked up a piece of styrofoam about 12" x 6" x 1" and put it on my workbench just at the edge of my ‘normal hard work area’. I originally thought I’d just use it to stick small bits on that I was working on but I quickly found that it works great for holding my toothpicks, brushes, picks, and other odds and ends. It keeps things from ‘rolling around’ and the colours stand out against the white of the styrofoam making it easy to locate and grab small tools. I don’t know how long a piece will last me but for a buck and a half who’s complaining.
Just be ‘aware’ that it will induce static electricity across your bench…which could make painting an experience. Be sure to touch the tools to the bench surface. I used a lpiece to ‘jig’ a model on…each time I went to glue something up the cement would follow the path of the static charge which travels via the route of least resistance causing the liquid solvent to leap where it wasn’t wanted. Given that it is winter and the air is dry…static is a fact of life.
Actually, I’m Ok. I was aware of the problems with static electricity as I use the same bench to build computers on. I use a sheet of hard vinyl which covers the complete bench and is grounded out. As well, it’s somewhat self sealing for those many occasions when my blade ‘slips’ and goes through the sprue. Like a lot of guys, I’ve spent a lot of time building and organizing my workspace as it is my refuge, sanctuary, kingdom, place of rest, and the only place in the whole house I can really say is ‘mine’!!!
Do you have her permission to say that? [swg]