Michael kindly sent in these ideas to share:

The next time you go to throw out an old spray paint can keep hold of the lid. I find them to be one of the handiest items on my workbench – and they cost nothing!

Here are some of the ways I put them to good use –

As reusable dispensers for scatter material and track ballast. They are the perfect size and shape to hold, and I find them easier to control than using spoons.

Storage for small parts – loose kit parts, screws, electronic components, track pins, fish plates, etc.

As holders for syringes, pipettes, or whatever you use for applying adhesives to the ballast. If there is any leakage it is better to go into a plastic lid than stick to the layout or workbench.

They make excellent paint mixing pots. They can also be used for glues, scatter material, or any other substance that needs mixing.

The lids make handy holders for SuperGlue tubes or bottles, etc., to keep them upright.

They can be used to raise and rotate rolling stock and engines when being painted. Blu Tack can be used to temporarily hold them in place.

Take it from me, collect and save as many lids as you can, because they will never go amiss!