A high-friction pad is particularly useful to hold pieces for routing, scraping or sanding when clamps would get in the way.
This 24" x 36" pad will grip almost anything while you work on it. At 1/8" thick, it grips well without being spongy. Made of tough latex rubber, it is durable and easily cleaned with a shake.
For other bench uses (e.g., cushioning a finished piece), it has the added advantage of being impervious to most glues. PVA-based glues or epoxies peel off when dry.
This pad is as necessary as clamps are in a shop. Made in USA.