You may know that pantyhose make for decent emergency windshield wipers, or that hand sanitizer can thaw a frozen door lock. But ingenious garage hacks can make life inside the shop a whole lot easier.

So get started. You’re certain to discover how a little imagination can help get any job done.

1. A doctor’s otoscope can be as useful in a blind hole as it is in an ear canal. Simply remove its cone section for a mini-flashlight (with three-power magnifier). Its light shines from the center, eliminating shadows.

2. Color each “tooth” or notch on jack stands a different shade of model-car paint. A quick glance will show whether the jack stands are the same height; no counting required.

3. To collect stray nuts and bolts, flip a sandwich bag inside out with a magnet in hand and run it across the floor or workbench. Then flip the sandwich bag, remove the magnet and easily dump the strays where they ought to be.

4. Make sure cordless tools are ready to go by charging them overnight, without overcharging. Just plug each tool into a surge strip connected to a programmable timer, and set the timer to run for about three hours each night.

5. When it comes time to run compressed-air lines in your shop, don’t rule out the simplicity of using the same rubber hose you probably have on hand for general utility.

6. Keep rogue tape measures at hand by bending a pipe bracket, screwing it under your workbench and sliding the tape measure belt clip through the bracket.

7. Literally keep smaller tools at hand by repurposing an old glove. Make a belt loop by cutting slits in the cuff, and snip the fingertips. Screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers will hang securely in the fingers without the weight of a full tool belt.

8. Take bigger equipment along for any ride. Bike training wheels securely mounted just above the floor make it easy to tilt and maneuver more cumbersome machinery. Just be sure the wheels and anchors can safely support the weight of what you’re moving.

9. Stroking a screwdriver over a strong magnet will help it keep small fasteners from getting lost in tight spaces with limited light.

10. Boost your shop’s efficiency and profit with the ACDelco Professional Service Center (PSC) Program, which offers training, rewards, a Consumer Assurance Program and marketing support. The more ACDelco parts you buy, the higher your level of support and service, making this one hack that delivers more bang for your buck.