Table Mat

[stupidjet]

i'm looking for a soft mat to work on small things, like high end fishing reels. basically like a mouse pad for a computer, but larger. any ideas where i could get one or what that material is called?

 

[The KickStand]

i'm looking for a soft mat to work on small things, like high end fishing reels. basically like a mouse pad for a computer, but larger. any ideas where i could get one or what that material is called?

May be too dense, but rubber stall mats from a local tractor supply? Different thicknesses and not expensive. 4x8x1/2” around $35 here in the Midwest.


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[4xdog]

The mats sold at art supply stores (and Walmart too, for that matter) that are used as x-acto cutting boards are terrific work surfaces. I have a large one on my center bench.

They're resilient, but not as soft as a foam mouse pad.

Alvin is one of the main suppliers, as part of their drafting/art offerings. Available in a range of sizes.
https://www.alvinco.com/Shop/Products.aspx?IID=32394

You can see the blue mat in the background here:

 

[Lelandwelds]

Static mats. Some are rubber. Some almost feel like a cutting mat. Up to 50 ft long. Many sources. Many prices.

https://smtsupplies.com/ESD_Table_M..._W_GRD?zenid=65a8550e359d38f0681335501ef11e91

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I bought a roll of underlayment (?) from a yard sale. Adhesive on one side and has a 1/16 of cushioning which helps with reducing bouncing parts. I guess you put it under wood flooring. Anyway, I cut a bit of the adhesive tape off and mount it to my work surface. I really like it. And when it gets dirty, I cut a new one.

 

[rlitman]

The mats sold at art supply stores (and Walmart too, for that matter) that are used as x-acto cutting boards are terrific work surfaces. I have a large one on my center bench.

They're resilient, but not as soft as a foam mouse pad.

Alvin is one of the main suppliers, as part of their drafting/art offerings. Available in a range of sizes.
https://www.alvinco.com/Shop/Products.aspx?IID=32394

You can see the blue mat in the background here:

Self-healing mats come in flat and roll form. The roll out ones have some memory, but are more flexible than the flat ones. Still, I only had luck with a roll type on my drafting table after stapling it down.

The self healing mats use multiple layers. The top layer will be a soft vinyl, that a knife can run through. This will be stuck down to a harder plastic layer that stops a knife, so that you don't cut through the mat. It works pretty well as a crafting cutting board and easily cleaned work surface. It is non-marring, so that might be what you need.

Another non-marring surface is wood butcherblock. This gets eaten up faster if you use it for cutting, but makes a great work surface.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Most any department store will have tablecloth pads in the white goods section. They are meant to go underneath a tablecloth on your dining room table, but should work for your purposes as well.

 

[jfleisher]

Maybe this or a similar item?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QM9KL5M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Sco Deac]

They may be too small but some of the silicone mats that woodworking stores sell can be nice. They pitch them for glue work because they are easy to clean, but they are nice work surfaces too.

 

[Ign]

A sheet of UHMW could work. It's more "hard" than soft but won't scratch anything. This is what I use on my Bridgeport bench. Chemical resistance is excellent

 

[619DioFan]

Exercise mat / yoga mat from walmart. the interlocking rubber floor mats at HF.

 

[4xdog]

Here's an image from Alvin's website showing one of their cutting mats. It's a better photo than the old blue mat in my earlier photo.

 

[eyeball]

Google "gun cleaning mat" and just find one without the graphics. Many are exactly what you describe - oversized mouse pads.

 

[PMD1966]

I use a white terry cloth towel when working with small parts. Parts are easy to see and don't roll around.

 

[tapered-pin]

drawing board mat works well for my needs.

 

[rlitman]

They may be too small but some of the silicone mats that woodworking stores sell can be nice. They pitch them for glue work because they are easy to clean, but they are nice work surfaces too.

Those come in all sorts of sizes. They're used as commercial baking mats, so you can get them sized to fit baking sheets. A half sheet pan fits nicely in a home oven. They're a little fragile for a workbench use though.

Google "gun cleaning mat" and just find one without the graphics. Many are exactly what you describe - oversized mouse pads.

Mine are an oil absorbant non-woven textile mat on top of an impervious layer that prevents any spills from damaging the surface beneath.

 

[BMack37]

Those come in all sorts of sizes. They're used as commercial baking mats, so you can get them sized to fit baking sheets. A half sheet pan fits nicely in a home oven. They're a little fragile for a workbench use though.



Mine are an oil absorbant non-woven textile mat on top of an impervious layer that prevents any spills from damaging the surface beneath.

Don't get the ones for use in an oven, get the silicone dog bowl mat, it's a lot thicker.

 

[Dingleburry]

How much larger then a mouse pad?
You can get large mouse pads.
35.4" x 17.3" x 0.12"

 

[928'er]

The mats sold at art supply stores (and Walmart too, for that matter) that are used as x-acto cutting boards are terrific work surfaces. I have a large one on my center bench.

They're resilient, but not as soft as a foam mouse pad.

Alvin is one of the main suppliers, as part of their drafting/art offerings. Available in a range of sizes.
https://www.alvinco.com/Shop/Products.aspx?IID=32394

You can see the blue mat in the background here:

Geez, that's a big bike frame! What is it, looks to be maybe 64-66cm (or more). You must be one tall dude.

 

[rq375]

I used this to line two HF service carts:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PA1KWK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[6PTsocket]

Jewelry supplys sell various mats for just what you are describing. Fot heavier duty use Jegs has a rubber mat with molded compartments to keep track of small parts.

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[rlitman]

How much larger then a mouse pad?
You can get large mouse pads.
35.4" x 17.3" x 0.12"

Are they rat pads at that size, are are we talking nutria?

 

[notlob]

Pick your poison:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=node%3D3225968011&field-keywords=mat&rh=n%3A3225968011%2Ck%3Amat

 

[californiaHank]

I use a pad I got from Amazon that's sold as a work mat for guitar repairmen.
The brand was "Music Nomad". They come in several sizes.
They're kind of like oversize mouse pads - a bit of grip and they don't scratch your work pieces.
Last a long time and don't cost too much - $15?

 

[unknownroad]

Costco often sells interlocking foam-rubber floor tiles, I think they're 2' square, about 3/8" thick, and you get maybe 6 of them in a pack for $10. They're resistant to any oil or solvent I've thrown at (dropped on) them, durable as long as you're not cutting into them, and kinda squishy if that's what you're looking for.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Ar15 pad. $20. Some have parts trays...or any rifle mat really

 

[4xdog]

Geez, that's a big bike frame! What is it, looks to be maybe 64-66cm (or more). You must be one tall dude.

Hah! That's my Alex Singer, custom built for me by Olivier Czuka a few years ago in a special Reynolds 531 tubeset. When you're the Alex Singer shop, Reynolds will do stuff like that for ya...

It's a 69 cm frame!

Most of my miles get put on my 68 cm Waterford.

And I'm tall, yes, but not *completely* out of the box. 6' 6".

 

[KDoug]

Rifle cleaning mat- Made in USA

http://www.graceusatools.com/item-details.php?item_id=100&category_id=5

Probably not quite what you are looking for, but I saw these a while back and looked like worth getting.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a chunk of indoor/outdoor carpet. Cheap and readily available.

 

[nes999]

Self-healing mats come in flat and roll form. The roll out ones have some memory, but are more flexible than the flat ones. Still, I only had luck with a roll type on my drafting table after stapling it down.

The self healing mats use multiple layers. The top layer will be a soft vinyl, that a knife can run through. This will be stuck down to a harder plastic layer that stops a knife, so that you don't cut through the mat. It works pretty well as a crafting cutting board and easily cleaned work surface. It is non-marring, so that might be what you need.

Another non-marring surface is wood butcherblock. This gets eaten up faster if you use it for cutting, but makes a great work surface.

When I used to work for an architecture firm, we used re do the tables a few times a year. We used spray adhesive.

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[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I used to work for a filtration company that gave away counter mats for wholesale / warehouse sales counters.

Still have a pile of them - if you want to pay shipping I can send some to you.

 

[Rickster]

Yoga mat?? They come in different types from foamy to solid and from thin to thicker.

 

[guy48065]

I get "table pads" at the local thrift store for a couple bucks. The 1/2" thick kind with felt on one side, vinyl on the other.

 

[928'er]

Hah! That's my Alex Singer, custom built for me by Olivier Czuka a few years ago in a special Reynolds 531 tubeset. When you're the Alex Singer shop, Reynolds will do stuff like that for ya...

It's a 69 cm frame!

Most of my miles get put on my 68 cm Waterford.

And I'm tall, yes, but not *completely* out of the box. 6' 6".

Well, you've got about 10" on me!

My custom is a 54 cm Mikkelsen. A beautifully filet brazed mix of Columbus SL and SP that I built out circa '87 or so.

 

[Outlander]

I have a Jeg's mat, a small cutting mat and an anti-static
mat for these purposes

 

[Jimmer411]

Yoga mats work great.

 

[paulsomlo]

When my jeans wear through at the knees, they become shorts. I cut the legs length wise, right next to the seams - they make for a good working surface and keep my bench cleaner. And they're really tough.

 

[WWheeler]

May be too dense, but rubber stall mats from a local tractor supply? Different thicknesses and not expensive. 4x8x1/2” around $35 here in the Midwest.

^ This