Shop has a slab floor and for a long time I had sore feet after a weekend of shop time.
First try was with the thin 18" square mats that dovetail together. Inexpensive and comfortable, but light weight/duty and they kept getting knocked around and separated. Just a hassle!
Next was one 6' x 4' x 3/4" "stall" mat from the local Tractor Supply. Heavy! Made from ground up tires and fairly firm, but never had foot issues again after more than a decade. No shifting around on the floor due to the weight and no signs of any deterioration. Parked in front of the table saw. Square edge, I was worried about tripping over the edge but that never happened. About $50.
I always wanted another for the side of the table saw where I stand and do assembly stuff or sit on a stool. Went back to Tractor Supply, but they didn't have any of the 6'x'4s, jut the 4'x3' Same material and density, just thinner (1/2") and the size was ideal for the space. Price was about $47 so inflation has bit. The stool feet don't sink in or leave dents.
(Tractor Supply stall mats around my table saw)
My wife wanted a mat for her crafts area so while shopping at Costco I spied a 4'x3'x1/2" mat that looked exactly the same as the TS mat. It had some light stippling on the top, probably to prevent someone from slipping, but the rubber surface makes that impossible either way. Also different is the underside has shallow round bumps to let some air underneath so if the floor gets wet it'll dry out. No change in the "give" underfoot so very solid.
I needed one for in front of my drum sander so I picked up another. Great thing is the price, only $17! From the Costco web site, $38 delivered which given the weight is still a deal.
Parked in front of my drum sander
Wish the whole shop was covered!
Not as easy to sweep, but I use my dust collector as a floor vac and that works well (even if it looks like I never vacuum!)
So, great buy at a great price for those with hard floors!
Looks like a good idea. I can't stand long, anyway, due to arthritis. I'll get one next time I'm by Tractor Supply, or maybe our local feed store (~20 mile closer) has them. And, yeah, I had some of those dovetail mats. Not that great.
Looks like a recipe for comfy feet Splinter. And the photo looks like it should be an advertisement for the mat. What did you do clean your camera lens? 😏
Thanks OT, but I've tried most of the inserts out there. What worked the most was finding the right pair of boots, but the mats removed all the discomfort. Funny you mention my wife, her issue is not foot related, she does glass work and is always dropping items on the hard floor.🤠
The mats have saved the odd chisel now and then but usually project pieces magically avoid the mats and land on their corners...
Yeah, she wanted a mat, but for different reasons. I was looking at some of the thinner mats for her, the ones that have a carpet type top. She can be picky, so I figures I'll try the 1/2" mats and of she balks, I'll use it in the shop!
