I am looking to get a small mat for my metal work bench to protect things I am working on from getting scratched and sliding around like a carb. I need to get a mat that if I spilled something on it ( within reason) that it wasn't going to dissolve or fall apart. Any ideas?
Mat for a work bench??
- Thread starter johninct
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lovetap
Well-known member
Cutting Mat for sewing come in large formats, nice to work on, and have measurements.
I use a big thin silicone baking mat thing from amazon. Seems to resist most chemicals pretty well and wipes off easily. I also have a couple of stainless cooking trays with silicone sheets in the bottom for catching junk when working on carbs etc. Examples -
JABgj
Well-known member
Indoor/outdoor carpeting. Trim a big piece for the whole surface or use pre cut squares. Or firearm rugs.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have several different ones. A Snap-on one that measures about 14"x18" next to my vise. It has slightly raised edges so small parts won't roll off and a few pocket areas for placing small parts. I use this one for small detailed work as well as placing parts on when working at the vise that I don't want to get marred or nicked.
I also have a similar Harley Davidson one that has a tread plate design that I use for similar small projects, it measures about 16" x 16". The one I use for heavy objects such as differential carriers and gears is nothing more than a dense piece of 1/2" thick neoprene rubber about 14" x 14". I ordered it from McMaster Carr when I made the protective table covers for my milling machine and this was a piece of remnant and it gets used a lot.
Here are the thick neoprene one next to the slightly thinner Harley Davidson one while working on some gears.
I then have a much larger but thinner one over on my workbench near my lathe. This one measure probably 24" x 42" and I use it mainly when working at either the lathe or mill to place parts and measuring tools on to avoid damage.
This is nothing more than the thin rubber mat top that came with one of the 42" U.S. General toolboxes that I purchased when I built my workbenches. It has had the snot beat out of it and really protects the workbench.
I also have a similar Harley Davidson one that has a tread plate design that I use for similar small projects, it measures about 16" x 16". The one I use for heavy objects such as differential carriers and gears is nothing more than a dense piece of 1/2" thick neoprene rubber about 14" x 14". I ordered it from McMaster Carr when I made the protective table covers for my milling machine and this was a piece of remnant and it gets used a lot.
Here are the thick neoprene one next to the slightly thinner Harley Davidson one while working on some gears.
I then have a much larger but thinner one over on my workbench near my lathe. This one measure probably 24" x 42" and I use it mainly when working at either the lathe or mill to place parts and measuring tools on to avoid damage.
This is nothing more than the thin rubber mat top that came with one of the 42" U.S. General toolboxes that I purchased when I built my workbenches. It has had the snot beat out of it and really protects the workbench.
RPH
Well-known member
Old car mats. Cheap and effective. Easy to obtain.
danielbuck
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- Apr 15, 2014
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yep, that was going to be my suggestion as well, car floor mats. Some of them even have deep grooves to catch liquids.
seber
Well-known member
Treadmill belts work very well. They can also be used for drawer liners.
designer485
Well-known member
I recommend Kleen-rite rubber mat for the top of your workbench. I have it on top of both of my toolboxes (it's the OEM manufacturer for Snap-On's rubber mat) and it is great. Easy to wipe off and nothing seems to effect it.
https://www.americanfloormats.com/t...YMn-ul24G0QY-550CUErvRYvhqBC4LWnFUW_dSWxOGOzr
https://www.americanfloormats.com/t...YMn-ul24G0QY-550CUErvRYvhqBC4LWnFUW_dSWxOGOzr
I have one on my desk at work. Love it. But printing doesn’t hold up to stronger solvents.
Wrench97
Well-known member
I have a old piece of 3/8" thick conveyor belt I picked up years ago, one piece on top of the bench and a 6' x 3' piece on the floor in front of the bench to stand on.
WWheeler
Well-known member
For more than 25 years I've been using a slice off a horse stall mat from Tractor Supply that has been indestructible.
jagwinn
Well-known member
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
Uline Benchtop Mats
I have been using these on my stainless work tops with great success. Easy to clean, super durable.
I have been using these on my stainless work tops with great success. Easy to clean, super durable.
WWheeler
Well-known member
I rue the day I ever bought anything from Uline. it's been well over 2 decades ago since I did, so long I don't even remember what I orderd from them, but they still continue to send me an almost Sears Roebuck sized catalog over and over and over and over. I don't know what list I got on or what, but they very often send me three in a row of the same catalog. I don't even ever look them any more. Straight in the bin.
olsenmotorsports
Well-known member
YUP lol I get them in bundles in the mail. I also get them with every shipment as well. It is unbelievable.
Even McMaster sends their paper catalog which weighs in at probably 10lbs
WHO USES CATALOGS ANYMORE!
+1 on stable mats.
I used these for some years now.
They can be found easily with different finishes from smooth to grooved and in thicknesses like 5/16 3/8 & 3/4 and can come in large sizes like 6ft by 4ft .
One of my Matco boxes has a 3/8 thick top covering cut from smooth rubber stall mat bonded over 3/4 ply and edged with hardwood trim stained black .
Nice to work on, doesn't mark things, things don't slip about (don't slip or roll on the grooved type) and it pretty easy clean. very durable and very affordable .
Think I will make some small portable work pads from offcuts if can find them .
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Endless supply of these if you’re near a truck stop or interstate exchange. They’re usually all over the side of the road. Or buy a new one, they’re not that expensive.
I use rubber floor runner, it usually comes three feet wide, I roll it out to cover the bench. then I use a low pile carpet sample on the top, it allows you to take things apart without the small screws rolling away. Also for some of my benches I was able to find large rubber door mats at lowes that worked great. 
In general, car floor mat would work neat. Some can be very square. Depends on brand and model, but OEM ones are often thicker and better quality than something generic.
I really like my A2 Olfa cutting mat for certain things too. But I never put oily things on it so I do not know how it handles that. It's made in Japan.
I really like my A2 Olfa cutting mat for certain things too. But I never put oily things on it so I do not know how it handles that. It's made in Japan.
johnre
Well-known member
My choice; I've got the A1 size. The lines in it help to square things up for wood glueup, and also to roughly size things. The marks are a little vulnerable to Goof Off Pro Strength solvent, though:
MattMotoWeldGarage
Member
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- Jan 1, 2025
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- 18
I do more and more disassembly stuff with a sheet pan. I now have several in the garage. Great for workbench but can also use 2 for working on a motorcycle - one to keep tools in place and one for parts for the bike. A rubber insert for them would be nice too!
yhprum
Well-known member
A piece of conveyer belt is nearly indestructible if you can find some.
Shoreline_
Well-known member
Depending on what you're working on, you don't want a mat that is going to release fibers into the assembly you're working on
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Plywood
bcschief
Well-known member
Rubber large truck mudflap if you need something a little thicker.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
Car floor mat is the first that comes to mind. Back seat mats are usually square or rectangular.
Carpet runner is available cut to length from a roll and comes in a variety of styles and materials.
Carpet runner is available cut to length from a roll and comes in a variety of styles and materials.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Donate them to the homeless for firewood.
tulowd
Well-known member
I have 5 of the craft/hobby/self healing cutting mats in several sizes. The green ones come in at below $20/CAD for the 32x24 size, double sided for extended life. I use them on top of most work surfaces incl. toolbox bamboo top, mdf and stainless steel. Have never worn one out. They clean up well with WD40 but aren't that happy with brake, carb or engine cleaners I usually spray that directly on the stainless tables. This is one of the small ones, the big ones live on the wood panel rack or the bigger work surfaces. I cut a lot of templates out of cardboard, so the self healing feature is the primary reason I love them. Also have a few of the silicone work pads with integrated sections for small parts. Harbor Freight has them in 3 sizes; they are actually good for electronics work as well, keeping static away. One is under the router table to keep the most common bits and hardware handy while protecting them from falling and damaging the cutting surfaces.
Attachments
I've had one of these on my bench for years now...
Rubber-Cal Bubble-Top 5/8 in. x 24 in. x 36 in. Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat Black Borders 03_184_ZWBK - The Home Depot
Provide optimum comfort for your workspace by choosing this Rubber-Cal BubbleTop 5/ AntiFatigue Floor Mat Black Borders.
www.homedepot.com
bwringer
Well-known member
Depends on your purpose.
This silicone "soldering mat" is quite useful for working on itty bitty stuff, and all the little partitions are fantastic for organizing teensy tool, parts, screws, and suchlike. It's heat resistant, which I guess is why they call it a soldering mat.
There's also rubber "sports floor" mat, the stuff they put on the floor in gyms to cushion dropped weights. The problem with this stuff is that it's somewhat porous, which may be suboptimal for leaky drippy stuff.
There's also garage flooring, more of a solid rubber stuff that's usually textured on one side and smooth on the other.
I have a roll of rubber "runner" material I use for making bench mats, and other handy things besides. You can easily buy as much or as little as you need in any home store.
Stable mats are also a great material.
I think the key here is to have a few different choices on hand depending on what you're doing. And stay alert of offcuts; with some of the flooring materials, you have to buy a large quantity, but sometimes you can score leftovers.
This silicone "soldering mat" is quite useful for working on itty bitty stuff, and all the little partitions are fantastic for organizing teensy tool, parts, screws, and suchlike. It's heat resistant, which I guess is why they call it a soldering mat.
There's also rubber "sports floor" mat, the stuff they put on the floor in gyms to cushion dropped weights. The problem with this stuff is that it's somewhat porous, which may be suboptimal for leaky drippy stuff.
There's also garage flooring, more of a solid rubber stuff that's usually textured on one side and smooth on the other.
I have a roll of rubber "runner" material I use for making bench mats, and other handy things besides. You can easily buy as much or as little as you need in any home store.
Stable mats are also a great material.
I think the key here is to have a few different choices on hand depending on what you're doing. And stay alert of offcuts; with some of the flooring materials, you have to buy a large quantity, but sometimes you can score leftovers.
I use interlocking PVC flooring tiles. They work great since they're designed for garage floors. You can configure/cut them in any shape you want. Oils and most solvents won't affect them and they are easy to clean and very tough. I'd highly recommend you get smooth with a very light texture:
www.garageflooringllc.com
Tuff Seal Interlocking Tile for Garages, Aviation, Commercial, Institutional, Industrial and Retail Applications
Tuff Seal PVC garage floor tile for industrial and residential applications, especially where waterproofing is required. Tuffseal has hidden locks.
www.garageflooringllc.com
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Spike01
Active member
Nutria
Well-known member
All kinds of good ideas in this thread; I will try some. I'll throw out the ultimate low-tech approach as well: a sheet of cardboard.
I find the craft "cutting" mats too slippery. Surprised no one mentioned: HF drawer liner material comes in a roll. Its not great- kinda thin, but decently wipable. I've also used anti-fatige mats before. Again the ones shown above with the coin dot pattern are much harder to clean. I've used what we used to call Berber carpet. That's particularly good for woodworking. You really can't scratch a wooden surface on that. But for oils and greases, it traps that stuff and telegraphs it everywhere.
I have a section of indoor/outdoor carpet that I use firearms time.
If not, indoor/outdoor carpet, thin office type carpet works for many things as well.
Buy the cheap in stock carpet at any big box store.
It's also what the Mustang sits on while working on it. Slide in and out, no creeper.