Sand Bags
A sand bag or two can be mighty handy around the shop. Filled with sand, light gravel, or shot, these bags provide versatile ballast for all kinds of uses. Here I have one hanging from my tripod for stability, and another on the bench to protect the back of a guitar neck as I work on it:
I make these bags from old trouser legs. Not being in the mood to sew much of anything, I just roll three turns on the end of the cut pant leg, bang in a row of grommets, fill the leg with sand, and repeat the grommets on the other end. Simple, quick and easy.