Workbench surface questions

[Lead Waster]

Oh yeah, I also have a neoprene "cleaning mat" I bought on a whim from Walmart. Works well.

[boy&hisdogs]

At school all of our lab bench tops are this stuff that's like a hard black plastic or epoxy. It's smooth, doesn't scratch stuff, and super heat resistant too. You can set something that's literally glowing hot right on it and nothing happens.

I'll see if I can find out what it's called. Or maybe someone else will chime in.

[Jel]

Masonite.

If I am doing something that calls for it, lay down a puppy potty pad to give a clean, padded surface that soaks up fluids and gets thrown away.

Great idea! We have a bunch left over from when our terrier was a pup! Thanks for the suggestion.

Right now we are renting and the garage has a workbench topped with linoleum tiles. Very durable and resistant to everything.

OP, like some the guys suggested, put down some cardboard or rug scraps when cleaning/working on your guns.

But for now I will do what elsolo suggested and use some leftover training pads.

Leather would be interesting. I've never heard or seen a workbench/work surface covered in leather unless it was for something like precision watch making or something like that where you are not worried about solvents and liquids staining it.

[Mitch]

At school all of our lab bench tops are this stuff that's like a hard black plastic or epoxy. It's smooth, doesn't scratch stuff, and super heat resistant too. You can set something that's literally glowing hot right on it and nothing happens.

I'll see if I can find out what it's called. Or maybe someone else will chime in.

Phenolic sheet.

Phenolic is a hard, dense material made by applying heat and pressure to layers of paper or fabric, impregnated with a synthetic resin. These phenolics are approximately half the weight of aluminum and their physical toughness resists abrasion, friction, impact and material fatigue. It has special properties that fight off the corrosive action of water and many chemicals.

I've never worked with it, but I have some projects in mind for which I would like to use it.

[natedawg]

Horse mats are what I've used at the local bike shop, and what i will be eventually getting for my bench. A lot like gym mats but less expensive.

[bug_eyedmonster]

Horse mats are what I've used at the local bike shop, and what i will be eventually getting for my bench. A lot like gym mats but less expensive.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/rubber-horse-stall-mat-4-ft-x-6-ft

Like this? I was just looking at them!


Jerry

[strictly1]

my benches are covered with a piece of stainless and if I need a padded surface to work on I bought a 4 pack of rubber squares that are each about 24"x 24" at Harbor Freight and put that down

http://www.harborfreight.com/Anti-Fatigue-Roll-Mat-61241.html

[natedawg]

Bingo, bug_eyed