One of the things that seems to bother most every woodworker I know is the lack of space to put things in their workshop.  This is especially a problem as we're working on a project and are making parts.  The problem is that in most cases the only places we have to set things are the tops of our tools, maybe a workbench.  But sooner or later we will need to use those other tools and the workbench, so the parts that are on the item you need to use have to be moved elsewhere, like the tool you just finished using.  It gets to be like a giant version of the old shell game; forever moving things to get to the next tool you need to use.  I have wasted a lot of time playing this game.

This practice can be hazardous as well.  It is not a good idea to have 'things' lying all over your table saw - for example - while you're using it; these extras can get flung about or damaged.  But all too many times the table saw serves a double duty as work bench, so tools are going to be on it because there is no place else to put them.

I have found two ways to deal with this problem.  One is to use parts carts for storing the pieces of a project I'm working on.  After an extensive search, which was proving to be very frustrating because all the carts I could find that were made for this use were SO expensive ($100 or more per cart).  Then I came across these.  These are sturdy steel wire shelving units I bought from our local home improvement store with an optional add-on of large casters.  The uprights are in two pieces so each unit can be made into one tall rack or two half height racks, or even into low tables.  And they were quite affordable; around $30 each.  There are cheaper versions, but these were flimsy and I felt they would be a poor investment.

Another recent discovery is that a discarded set of TV tray tables add much utility to my workshop by being an easily set up place to lay tools so that they are at hand but not in harms way when I'm working at a power tool.  When not needed they fold compactly and store out of the way.  These can be bought for practically nothing at any discount store, and sometimes you can get them for nothing when friends or relatives upgrade the set they've been using.