Every woodworker and construction professional knows the frustration of a workpiece that shifts mid-cut or slides across the bench during sanding. A stable work surface directly affects accuracy, safety, and the quality of the finished piece. From roof construction techniques to fine cabinet assembly, keeping material in place is a universal requirement. Non-slip workbench supports, often called bench cookies, provide a simple solution. These hockey puck-sized discs use a high-friction rubbery top surface to grip the workpiece while a textured bottom keeps them from sliding on the bench. The concept is straightforward, and building your own set costs a fraction of retail prices.
Why Non-Slip Workpiece Supports Improve Workshop Accuracy
Sanding, routing, drilling, and assembly all generate forces that can push a workpiece out of position. Even a few millimeters of movement can ruin a joint or create an uneven surface. Non-slip supports solve this by increasing the coefficient of friction between the workpiece and the workbench. The grippy pad holds the material in place while allowing the user to lift and reposition it as needed. This is especially valuable during complex roof construction methods where precise component alignment affects structural integrity.
How Friction-Based Workholding Compares to Clamps
Clamps provide the strongest hold but take time to set up and can mar delicate surfaces. Non-slip supports fall between clamps and bare benchtops in terms of holding power. They work best for operations where the workpiece needs to be flipped, rotated, or repositioned frequently during the process. Typical applications include:
- Sanding flat panels and boards without the piece skating across the bench
- Routing edges where downward pressure keeps the material in place
- Assembling glue-ups where clamping pressure would squeeze out excess adhesive
- Holding trim pieces for cutting and shaping
- Supporting long boards during jointing and planing operations
| Method | Holding Force | Setup Time | Surface Damage Risk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clamps | High | 30-60 seconds | Medium | Stationary work, glue-ups |
| Non-slip supports | Medium | 5 seconds | Low | Flipping, repositioning, sanding |
| Double-sided tape | Medium-High | 15 seconds | High | Templates, temporary fixtures |
| Vacuum clamps | High | 10 seconds | Very Low | CNC work, thin materials |
| Bare bench top | Very Low | None | None | Rough work, measuring |
Comparing Commercial and Custom Workholding Solutions
Retail bench cookies from brands like Rockler and Bench Dog use thick high-friction rubber padding similar to the backing found on premium mouse pads. These sell for $10 to $12 for a set of four, placing them in an awkward price range for many workshops. The aftermarket has produced knockoffs and specialty tool accessories that attempt to match the performance at a lower cost, but most fall short on grip material quality.
Lee Valley introduced a different approach with their Bench Pucks, which are sold as a DIY kit. The system separates the base material from the grip surface, letting users purchase components independently. The bases are standard hockey pucks measuring 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick, priced at $1 each. The grip discs are 2-3/4 inches wide and 1/8 inch thick with self-adhesive backing, sold in packs of eight for $2.95. A set of four completed bench pucks costs $6.95 total, roughly 40 percent less than equivalent commercial products.
Cost Comparison Across Options
| Option | Qty | Total Cost | Cost Per Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockler Bench Cookies | 4 | $10.00 – $12.00 | $2.50 – $3.00 |
| Lee Valley Bench Pucks (kit) | 4 | $6.95 | $1.74 |
| DIY hockey puck + grip disc | 8 | $10.90 | $1.36 |
| DIY wood block + grip sheet | 8 | $5.00 – $7.00 | $0.63 – $0.88 |
| Generic Loc-Blocks | 4 | $7.00 – $9.00 | $1.75 – $2.25 |
Selecting Materials for Custom Workbench Gripping Pads
The two critical components of a home-built bench support are the base and the grip surface. Each must be chosen to match the intended use. The base provides height and stability while the grip surface supplies the friction that holds the workpiece. Much like property development in valley settings requires the right foundation for the terrain, choosing the correct base material affects how well the supports perform on different benchtops and with different workpiece weights.
Hockey Pucks as the Foundation
Standard hockey pucks work well because they are molded from vulcanized rubber with a flat profile and consistent dimensions. Official game pucks measure 3 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick, providing a stable platform that does not rock or wobble. The rubber composition gives the puck a natural surface grip that prevents it from sliding across the benchtop. Lee Valley sources their pucks from Slovakia, where hockey puck manufacturing is a mature industry. The pucks arrive ready for adhesive application with no surface preparation needed.
Alternative Base Materials to Consider
Not every workshop needs a full set of hockey-puck supports. Consider these alternatives based on the type of work most common in your shop:
- Scrap hardwood blocks cut to 3-inch squares provide the same footprint at essentially zero cost
- Rubber furniture feet caps sold in hardware stores work for lighter-duty applications
- Thin plywood rounds cut with a hole saw can be stacked for adjustable heights
- Concrete pavers covered in grip material create heavy-duty supports that resist tipping
- Recycled tire rubber mats cut into strips work for custom shapes
Grip Disc Material Options
The grip surface is what separates a useful support from a simple spacer. Lee Valley sells their grip discs separately in packs of eight and also offers large sheets of the same material measuring 12 by 36 inches for $9.50 and 24 by 36 inches for $17.50. The larger sheets let users create custom-shaped supports or cover an entire section of benchtop. The material is made in the USA and uses a self-adhesive backing that bonds to rubber, wood, metal, and plastic surfaces.
The gripping texture is similar to the non-slip lining used in tool chest drawers and on high-end mouse pads. It provides strong resistance to lateral movement while allowing vertical lift when the user pulls upward. This directional property is what makes bench supports work for sanding and routing the workpiece stays put under downward pressure but releases easily for repositioning.
Step-by-Step Assembly of Custom Workshop Supports
Building your own bench supports takes under 30 minutes and requires no specialized tools. The process applies to any combination of base and grip material, from hockey pucks to wood blocks. Before starting, verify that the workbench surface is clean and dry. Dust and oil reduce the effectiveness of both the adhesive bond and the grip surface itself, similar to how roof framing techniques for hip systems require clean, dry conditions for proper fastener installation.
- Clean each base surface with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth to remove any mold release, oil, or dust. Allow to dry completely for two minutes.
- Peel the backing paper from the self-adhesive grip disc. Avoid touching the adhesive layer with bare fingers, as skin oils reduce bond strength.
- Center the grip disc on the base surface and press down firmly from the center outward to eliminate air bubbles. A wallpaper seam roller or the handle of a screwdriver works well for applying even pressure.
- Place the assembled support on a flat surface and apply full body weight for 15 seconds to set the adhesive bond.
- Allow the adhesive to cure for 24 hours before heavy use. The bond reaches approximately 90 percent of its final strength within the first hour.
- Test the support by placing it on a clean benchtop and pressing a scrap workpiece onto the grip surface. The work should resist lateral sliding but lift off cleanly when pulled upward.
If the grip disc does not bond evenly, the base surface may be too uneven or contaminated. Lightly sand the base with 120-grit sandpaper and re-clean before applying a replacement disc.
Scaling the Design for Larger and Unusual Workpieces
Standard bench supports work well for boards, panels, and trim pieces up to about two feet wide. Larger workpieces require a wider support footprint to prevent tipping and wobbling. The same grip material used for bench pucks can be applied to larger bases for heavy-duty use. Lee Valley sells the grip material in sheet form specifically for this purpose. A 12 by 36 inch sheet can cover a custom-cut plywood base for supporting full sheets of plywood, solid-core doors, or large cabinet components. These extended supports are used in construction in river valley communities where builders often work with oversized materials delivered to remote job sites.
Designing for Curved and Irregular Shapes
Circular workpieces, tapered furniture legs, and architectural moldings do not sit flat on round bench supports. For these shapes, cut the base material to match the workpiece profile. A jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade cuts plywood or MDF bases to any shape. Apply the grip sheet and trim the excess with a utility knife. The self-adhesive material cuts cleanly and leaves a smooth edge that does not snag workpieces.
For extra-high supports, stack two hockey pucks with grip material between them. The double-height support is useful when working on benchtops with vises or dog holes that protrude above the surface. A second disc of grip material on the bottom of the lower puck prevents the stack from sliding.
Long-Term Care and Replacement Strategies for Grip Surfaces
The grip material on bench supports wears over time, especially if used with rough-sawn lumber or abrasive dust. A set used daily for sanding operations may need new grip surfaces every six to twelve months. The adhesive backing on the grip discs makes replacement straightforward. Heat the old grip disc with a heat gun or hair dryer for about 30 seconds, then peel it off. Clean any residual adhesive from the base with mineral spirits before applying a new disc.
To extend the life of grip surfaces, clean them periodically with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Resin and pitch from softwoods build up on the rubber and reduce friction. A light scrub with a stiff nylon brush restores most of the original grip. Keep the supports away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as UV exposure and high temperatures accelerate rubber degradation. Proper storage in a drawer or tool chest between uses can double the service life of the grip material. For those building in secluded valley towns where tool supplies are harder to source, keeping spare grip sheets on hand ensures replacements are always available.