Shady Protection for Assembly Table

By A. J. Moses
Photos A. J. Moses

Posted: May 20, 2009

Although my project assembly has a durable and resilient surface there are still plenty of messy projects that leave various residues--especially small staining and painting tasks.  To avoid spending a lot of valuable shop time cleaning up my assembly table, I usually put a sheet of heavy paper down before opening a can of paint or stain.  I also found storing the paper for re-use was practical and the green thing to do, so I kept it rolled up in a length of PVC pipe hung from the ceiling.  Of course the paper had enough 'memory' to make it unwieldy to position readily. 

What else could I use that rolled up neatly and out of the way but would not try to roll itself back up and would also protect the bench top?  While cruising around my local home improvement center, the solution quite unexpectedly presented itself!  A simple vinyl window shade!

I simply mounted the shade on the back-side of my assembly bench where I often perform the usual tasks of glue-ups, staining, painting and varnishing.  When sanding, fitting or laying out a project, the shade is unobtrusively retracted and out of the way.

When those messy operations come into play, I simply pull the shade across the bench top and get to work.  If the shade ever becomes compromised, it's a cinch to replace.  I actually found a few discounted shades that were all the same size and I purchased several replacements.  The first glue-up using this vinyl protector showed one more benefit.  If you wipe up the glue right away, the vinyl surface sheds it with ease. If you allow the glue to fully cure, it still peels off readily.

A. J. Moses is a registered member of the WWGOA.

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