FRETS.COM
Shop Tip #244
© Frank Ford 2006; Photo by FF

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.