Instant stand and outfeed

With a few minutes, a couple of 2x4s, a slab of plywood and a pair of sawhorses, you can build a stand for a benchtop saw, plus a long outfeed table. On the version shown here, the 2x4s are notched so that the saw table is flush with the plywood. Screw the plywood to the 2x4s and the 2x4s to the horses. Also screw or clamp the saw to the 2x4s.

Finishing stand-offs

These simple little contraptions are immensely useful for staining and finishing. Make them from scrap, but be careful to countersink all the screws to the same depth so their points all protrude the same length. For many projects, you can stain or finish both sides at once. The little mark left by the screw tip won’t be detectable.

Ladder caddy

For some projects, you need to constantly switch between tools. If you’re tired of changing back and forth and running up and down the ladder, try this caddy. Find a scrap of 3/4-in. plywood (10 in. x 24 in.) and cut an opening in it to fit over the stepladder (7 in. x 14 in.). Then make cutouts to hold a drill and a driver or whatever tools you use. Wedge a scrap piece of 2x4 between the ladder top and the holder to stabilize it when one tool is in use.