Machine table mod - 'garbage ditch'

[sinneD]

Has anyone modded their machine tables to have place to store stuff or easily dispose of snipped threads or tag ends? 

As what I am thinking of doing is non-reversable, I wanted to ask if anyone else has similar work habits and ask if they have something similar. 

My welding fab table is made from 4" channel and steel plate. The toes of the channels are basically parallel to the floor. I tacked a continuous 1/2" strip all the way around to hold things like pencils and scribes and serve as a place to hang grinders. I am used to reaching to that spot for things as I work. My drafting boards have a similar hanging basket pencil tray. It is similar in size, and I keep pencis and erasers and the like in there too  Those spots are basically above you lap if you are sitting in a chair. 

When I sew with the home machine, I find myself always wanting a gutter or similar to sweep the snipped threads into. While the trash can is only a arms length away, its often too far to let go of what i am working on reach it. I often end up with a lapful of cut threads, only to dump them from my lab when I stand up. 

Hanging a basket type tray seems impractical becasue of the knee lifter. What I am thinking to do is route a slot in the top, in front of the machine and have some sort of trap door underneath to catch the threads.  I have not decided on width or length yet, I am mocking up with blue tape for now to see how it lines up. 

I look forward to anyones thoughts or replies. 

sinneD

[bruce johnson]

I was in a shop a few years ago that he had a  good setup. Cut about a two inch square in the top over the utility drawer and used that for thread ends. He had a few machines and kept small stuff and needles in a parts drawer organizer and screwdrivers in a tool rack.