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ULTIMAT

Gara

add comfort with

Shop Mats

Heavy-duty, %"-thick rubber mat

Enjoy working on a concrete floor. All you need is an anti-fatigue mat.

Ribbed, %"-thick sponge mat with tapered edge to reduce tripping hazard

Diamond-tread, W-thick sponge mat

Embossed vinyl, %" -thick sponge-back mat

There's nothing like spending a nice long weekend in the shop. But if your shop floor is a cold, hard slab of concrete like mine, you probably end up with more than a finished project — like sore feet and legs, along with an aching back. Let's face it. Concrete is a hard and unforgiving surface.

Whafs the Solution? Working on a concrete floor might seem like something you just have to "tough out." You can't easily tear it out or cover it all with a "softer" surface.

But there's a quick and easy solution — an anti-fatigue mat like the ones you see on this page. (For sources, see page 51.) These inexpensive mats are designed to place a barrier between you and the floor to reduce the fatigue associated with working on concrete.

A World of Choices. The mats shown here are just a few of the dozens available. So you'll want to be sure to keep in mind a few things before you add one (or two) to your shop.

Diamond-tread, ⁹/ie"-thick vinyl spongeback mat (see inset)

MAT MATERIAL

The first thing you'll need to do is decide between a solid rubber mat or a mat made from a sponge-like material.

Rubber Mats. Solid rubber mats are very common (top photo in margin). They're heavy-duty, so they'll take a lot of abuse. Often made from recycled tires, rubber mats provide a cushioned surface that's impact resistant. So a dropped chisel or tool won't do much damage — to the mat or the tool. Another plus, rubber resists most oils and finishes that might get spilled on it.

Sponge Mats. You'll also find mats made of a sponge-like (foam) material (the second and third mats at left). A sponge mat provides more cushion than a rubber mat, but it does have one problem, it doesn't wear as well.

To solve this problem, many manufacturers make a combination version called a spongeback mat (lower two mats in margin). Here, a top layer of vinyl or rubber is bonded to the foam underneath. While still providing a nice cushion, these mats are more durable. And it's why I like them best.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

While the type of material the mat is made from is important, you'll also need to consider the size of the mat, its thickness, and even the texture on the surface.

48 ShopNotes No. 83