A cork stand is the simplest painting aid there is: a block of cork that a pin or a length of wire pushes straight into, holding a figure or a small part at a comfortable height while both your hands stay free. Cork grips the pin without any clamping, weighs almost nothing and can be re-used until it falls apart. Where a firmer grip or an adjustable angle is needed, a clamped holder takes over. The trick that makes a pin stand work is done on the figure rather than on the cork: a short length of brass wire set into a foot gives something to hold for the whole of the paint job and comes out cleanly afterwards. Jaw-type grips for heavier parts are in holders and work stands, and props and clips for sub-assemblies in stands and clips.
