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Best tool drawer liner material?

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drummerdimitri

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Beirut, Lebanon
I would like to replace the cheap foam inserts that came with my Beta unit as some of them have already torn from a week of use.

The main requirements are that the liner has a high coefficient of static friction so that tools don't go sliding up and down inside the drawer when opening/closing it and it has to be though enough no to tear under heavy tools.

I'm thinking maybe an ESD matt could be good but I don't have any experience with that so I'd like to hear your experience with this.
 
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isb cornbinder

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seber

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isb cornbinder said:
When I owned a sailboat, I was able to buy a soft closed foam rubbery material in the marine store. This stuff has a perforated finish. It will hold a spoon at about 45* angle before the spoon take off. I use this material under the dog's dish so the dog will not be chasing the bowl around.
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I've tried shelf liner in the past. Unfortunately it is not immune to oil or any other solvents.
 
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Steve_P

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~3mm thick yoga mat is what I use. I checked out 3-4 other choices and ended up with this. I've had it for 10+ years and it's holding up great.

Edit- once I chose this, I ordered a massive roll online and cut from it, since I have way too many tool boxes to just buy 6' sections.
 
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betulauber

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I'm using commercial mat runner that I had some remnants of lying around. They sell in larger rolls and I'm not sure how hard it is to source in smaller sizes but it has worked well for me. ESD matting could work but you probably want to look at it in person to make sure what your getting. If it's too light or thin you might need to tape down the edges so it lies flat and doesn't bunch up.
 
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CGarage

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I have wanted to do a thread like this for some time.


There are literally dozens of choices on the market.

I have had very good success with the solid version (as opposed to mesh) of this product, available in the US at Lowe’s, or online.
I think Zerust makes it for Lowe’s.

The VCI (vapor corrosion inhibitor) I really like as well.

Additionally, the ribbed vinyl mat used on Snap-On shop carts seems to be durable, easy to clean with spray bottle soap, and keeps tools in place. I see this material (ribbed rubber and vinyl) being sold in rolls on eBay and on Amazon.

 
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LopezBart

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I'd use a hard wool felt. Available as industrial felt or carpet underlayment. With fluid film (lanolin based) it would feel right at home :). When it wears out, you can compost it.
 
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LopezBart

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I don't think moisture retention in the drawer liner is the cause of tools rusting, since they do that in unlined drawers as well. It's temperature cycling in a high relative humidity environment. The tools stay cold and when warm moist air comes in contact with them, moisture condenses out on them. Keep them clean and lubed, and control the relative humidity to help prevent rust.
 
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i4ni

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Doesn't matter. None of it works. Put it in hope for the best. Maybe a thick layer of tar. lol
 
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bigfunwmu

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I use PIG mat and swap it once a year or so. It is very much not non-slip until it's fairly saturated though.
 
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i4ni

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bigfunwmu said:
I use PIG mat and swap it once a year or so. It is very much not non-slip until it's fairly saturated though.
Click to expand...
I had an Idea to market this same type stuff in the early 90's. I was going call it Hogg Sucker and try to target the Harley crowd back when they leaked so bad. Probably a good thing I didn't because Willie G stepped up quality and the leaks went away.
 
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betulauber

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CGarage said:
How are you not worried about moisture retention?
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Matting and felt is designed to wick water away from the surface, while a solid material might hold any moisture on the surface in contact with the tools. Though I don't think moisture is a issue unless water is introduced somehow by a spill or by putting away wet tools. I do keep desiccants in my toolbox which I think is a good idea regardless of what liner material you use.
 
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Miss the Pontiacs

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CGarage said:
Not the case, it snows in Beirut and temperature swings are a thing.
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You had me wondering about that so I looked it up.
Like Southern California, which is at the same latitude and has a similar climate, Lebanon receives snow primarily in the high mountains, where temperatures are cooler
i imagine it also rains at times.
Maybe the OP could enlighten us on the material he found and the weather.
 
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CGarage

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Miss the Pontiacs said:
You had me wondering about that so I looked it up.
Like Southern California, which is at the same latitude and has a similar climate, Lebanon receives snow primarily in the high mountains, where temperatures are cooler
i imagine it also rains at times.
Maybe the OP could enlighten us on the material he found and the weather.
Click to expand...


And folks live in those mountains around Beirut…..Like fashion designer Elie Saab.
 
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Speed-Racer

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Not sure if shipping kills the deal.
NSI (NuSource) regular or extra tacky drawer liner is awesome. Its really hard to choose between the two for me, they usually have a special for a roll.

The stuff from China smells, check if you are tempted to buy. But don't I warned you.
The roll from NSI is made in America and has zero offgasing that I can smell, very nice product. Do a research on NSI on GJ.

nsimaterialsgroup.com

REDI-GUARD Tm TOOL BOX LINER - 72

# 1 Preferred Option for Do it yourself Tool Box owners Thickness: 1/16" Color: Black Attributes: Anti-Corrosive, non-sliding, dense material for the professional! MADE IN THE USA - Rolls are shipping 72" Wide UNFOLDED on a flat cardboard core. - Easy to cut yourself! - Enough material for...
nsimaterialsgroup.com nsimaterialsgroup.com
 
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Steve_P

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D.F.B said:
Have been using this rubber matting for all of my cabinets, especially useful for those storing chemicals.


IMG-4522.jpg
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This looks identical to the yoga mat that I used; I'd bet it's the same stuff. If anyone wants to try it out, Wal Mart sells a ~6' long by 2' wide yoga mat that's nearly identical to this. It's not very economical to buy in short lengths, but if you decide like it, you can buy massive rolls online.
 
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4xdog

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isb cornbinder said:
When I owned a sailboat, I was able to buy a soft closed foam rubbery material in the marine store. This stuff has a perforated finish. It will hold a spoon at about 45* angle before the spoon take off. I use this material under the dog's dish so the dog will not be chasing the bowl around.
Click to expand...

I used that stuff sometimes in the past, but quit when the polymer it's made from attacked the plastic in a structural foam-molded tool stored that particular drawer. I stay away from it now.
 
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senlow

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Below is a repeat of my post in another drawer liner thread:

I've been using drawer liner from Nu-Source for several years and it works great. I've used quite a few other materials in the past; commercial carpet, indoor/outdoor carpet, various rubber belts, carpet underlayment, Raptor Grab, foam, that worthless mesh type **** from various vendors, felt, and even cork (why even bother with a liner). I even lined one of my Gerstner boxes with Nu-Source liner.

I have found a couple of applications where other products work better. Old school lower boxes that have that useless, waste of space black hole in the bottom because the manufacturer was too cheap to install drawers. . . oops, I meant to say bottom storage compartment. I have found that yoga mats or some sort of thick rubber mats work well in these "storage compartments".

Nu-Source mats move around a little in boxes with wrinkle paint. Kennedy boxes are the major offenders. I use Raptor Grab liner in Kennedy boxes that have wrinkle paint. It's not quite as sticky, but it is stiffer. The stiffness prevents the liner from shifting.
 
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