Good Cheap Work Mat/Tray

[damon18]

Picked this up for $3.99 at Ikea a while back and just used it while rebuilding drum brakes. Big enough to lay out old and new parts and polypropylene so easy cleanup.

Sold as a household tray for wet/muddy boots but I'm finding lots of use for it in the garage.

Check out this BAGGMUCK from IKEA

Here's a little more information:

Shoe tray, indoor/outdoor/gray, 2 ' 4 "x1 ' 2 "

https://ingka.page.link/X3TsJays3zAxiDWN8





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[theundermount]

not a bad idea especially if you're cleaning a carb or something can catch all the fluids

 

[sps4runner]

That's a great idea, wish I could find one locally.
My brake jobs always make somewhat of a mess (whether fluid, dust, or rust); hadn't really thought of using a tray to contain all that.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Good idea. I like trays for work like that. Tend to reuse my wife's old metal baking sheets for use in the garage on the filthy stuff.

 

[theundermount]

How it it hold up to the brake clean and fluid?

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[damon18]

How it it hold up to the brake clean and fluid?

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The picture in my original post was taken after I washed it off in the sink afterward. I couldn't find any picture taken with the nasty brake parts on top but it did take some abuse during rebuilding all four drum brakes.

It's made of polypropylene so brake fluid and cleaner didn't have any affect on it I could tell.

I will say that this is not a professional tool, in that the material is not super strong and daily use with heavy objects would probably wear holes in it before too long.

However works great for us amateurs and at $3.99 can be considered disposable.

 

[fsae0607]

Good idea. I like trays for work like that. Tend to reuse my wife's old metal baking sheets for use in the garage on the filthy stuff.

Same. They can take the beating of heavy parts and a good wash in solvent to clean up.

 

[bdbecker]

Great idea OP!

Good idea. I like trays for work like that. Tend to reuse my wife's old metal baking sheets for use in the garage on the filthy stuff.

Ha! I do the same thing. Cookie sheets are also great for vehicles that like to leave their mark when parked. Cake pans are great for soaking parts.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Good idea. I usually just use one of those flat drip drain pans that are made from metal that I got at the pawn shop it works but wasn’t cheap lol.


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[esvee]

I use silicone food mats on my "clean" bench for carb rebuilds, electronics work. I use trays like this on my "dirty" bench for, yknow, big dirty things. Transfer cases, alternator rebuilds.

The silicone mats are great for easy cleanup, but they can be cut if you happen to be using a knife on something. I like the low sides and grip of them, though.

 

[mark#3]

I tried ordering one, but the system wouldn't let me.

 

[Luvmusl]

Great idea

 

[damon18]

I tried ordering one, but the system wouldn't let me.

What happened when you tried? Might be too cheap to ship by itself. I bought it in the Memphis retail store.

 

[unslow1]

I use boot mat/trays that are very similar from Menard's. They used to be free after rebate. Just knock them in the trash and wipe them down with brake cleaner and a rag.

 

[mark#3]

It didn't respond/show results to order/buy.Probably too far away as the origin was in Europe?
I'll probably just get a cookie tray, I used one before

 

[SuperCat]

Great idea, damon18, that tray is a really useful size and the price is right.

By the way, you should post this in "The repurposing thread."

 

[Dustball]

It didn't respond/show results to order/buy.Probably too far away as the origin was in Europe?
I'll probably just get a cookie tray, I used one before

All kinds of big box stores sell boot trays for cheap.

Some examples-

Menards-
https://www.menards.com/main/floori...353-c-6530.htm?tid=1356886343549345153&ipos=5

Home Depot-
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMaster-Soho-Black-15-in-x-29-in-Boot-Tray-MT1003786/207070561

Lowes-
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Mohawk-Hom...t-x-2-1-2-ft-Actual-14-5-in-x-29-2-in/3825647

Target-
https://www.target.com/p/1-2-x2-6-boot-tray-black-mohawk/-/A-13742393#lnk=sametab

 

[tarmy]

I use concrete mixing tubs...cheap, takes all kinds of beating, holds a lot and can be used for draining anti freeze, big ****** cleaning/oil change...hell, you can put small engines in one.

 

[TonyG109]

I like stainless steel and just discovered hotel trays. I'd have never heard of them before, but we've all seen them wherever food is served. They stack, come in many different sizes and depths and are impervious to pretty much every liquid you can throw at it. They're perfect for holding/organizing/soaking parts, etc. Fairly inexpensive for something that should last a long time.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/choice-1-2-size-standard-weight-anti-jam-stainless-steel-steam-table-hotel-pan-2-1-2-deep/4070229.html

 

[Bluedodge]

Menards used to have boot trays "free after rebate". I had a stack of 20 or so of them - great for painting and other messy projects.

Menards stopped their Free After Rebate program this past Spring, now my stock is running low.

 

[Joemctag]

Yep, those are sure great to have around. Under $10 IIR.

 

[javyLSU]

I use about a half dozen of those, for their stated purpose, as well as for parts holding and collecting melted snow from my snowblower's auger housing after it's used. Once the snow melts, I dump the water, and store the snowblower auger housing on the mat to protect it from any moisture on the concrete floor.

 

[stanj]

And if you drive a well seasoned vehicle with a few drips, fill it with oil dry and strategically place it under the vehicle.


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[unslow1]

And if you drive a well seasoned vehicle with a few drips, fill it with oil dry and strategically place it under the vehicle.


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That's a good idea. I think I might try that. I usually use them for things like brake jobs to keep the fluids and brake dust under control.

 

[logical]

Picked this up for $3.99 at Ikea

Did it come unassembled?

 

[Matt XYZ]

Great idea, thanks. Looks like the kids will be losing their shoe tray after the winter. I never thought of using it on the workbench.

 

[Legion Prime]

What I use is an old plastic laundry basket. The sides were breaking apart so I went out and bought a new one. The old one I just cut all the sides off, tossed that, now I have a ~18"x30" pan with about 1" sides. It's been great for working on chainsaws.