Does anybody use shop mats or whatever they're called?

[Jake]

I was putzing around in the shop this morning tearing a variable freq.
drive apart that needs a new SCR or two...

Anyhow, I got a little 'frustrated' because the mats we use on our
bench-tops have gotten so old and grimy that I really wasn't happy
laying all these nice clean drive innards on the bench. I went and cut a
piece of cardboard to use today, but I though some new bench mats would
be nice. We used to use them even in field tear-downs sometimes to keep
screws and stuff from rolling into the numerous 'Bermuda Triangles'
where small parts seem to just disappear (-:.

I spent an hour just now Googling for these things and am having no
luck, and damned if I can remember where they came from originally.

Do any of you guys use these things, and who sells them? Some of ours
had a flat magnetic edge-side to hold stuff, which is also nice.

I went so far as to look at the Snap-On on line cat, but didn't find
anything close.

Anybody got any ideas?

Jake

BTW, I'm going to post a similar Q over at HomeRepair, but I'm not cross
posting for obvious reasons.

 

[pjm]

I was putzing around in the shop this morning tearing a variable freq.
drive apart that needs a new SCR or two...

Anyhow, I got a little 'frustrated' because the mats we use on our
bench-tops have gotten so old and grimy that I really wasn't happy
laying all these nice clean drive innards on the bench. I went and cut a
piece of cardboard to use today, but I though some new bench mats would
be nice. We used to use them even in field tear-downs sometimes to keep
screws and stuff from rolling into the numerous 'Bermuda Triangles'
where small parts seem to just disappear (-:.

At the risk of appearing as simple-minded as a Weasel, why not
just use some pieces of white cloth ?

You could have a whole stack of 'em, they're washable, cheap
.....

maybe some small table-cloths or pillow-case type things from
the local 'Dollar store' ?

Why get fancier than that ?


Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

 

[pjm]

I was putzing around in the shop this morning tearing a variable freq.
drive apart that needs a new SCR or two...

Anyhow, I got a little 'frustrated' because the mats we use on our
bench-tops have gotten so old and grimy that I really wasn't happy
laying all these nice clean drive innards on the bench. I went and cut a
piece of cardboard to use today, but I though some new bench mats would
be nice. We used to use them even in field tear-downs sometimes to keep
screws and stuff from rolling into the numerous 'Bermuda Triangles'
where small parts seem to just disappear (-:.

At the risk of appearing as simple-minded as a Weasel, why not
just use some pieces of white cloth ?

You could have a whole stack of 'em, they're washable, cheap
.....

maybe some small table-cloths or pillow-case type things from
the local 'Dollar store' ?

Why get fancier than that ?


Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

 

[I am nobody]

I was putzing around in the shop this morning tearing a variable freq.
drive apart that needs a new SCR or two...

Jake, I'm just a lurker here. On my own worktops, I use
commercial latex carpet pad. However, the pad I use is very
dense 1/4" or 3/16" thick latex foam that is used under
commercial carpet installatons and under stairway carpet,
where you don't want much give in the carpet. It is not the
fluffy stuff or the rebonded particle type. That wouldn't
hold up more than a day. It is rugged, cheap and does a
great job to reduce stuff slipping around. Most of the
stuff comes with a fiber-like "scrim" on one side for
strength. You can put either side up, but I personaly liked
the scrim side up for most jobs.

When it gets dirty or gritty, just toss it and slap down
another piece. It comes in 6' wide rolls and any carpet
shop will cut you about any length you want.

Sears and other places sell an expanded polurethane toolbox
liner material. It's great for it's job, but doesn't work
on a benchtop, IMHO.

Harbor Freight or Northern Tools sell scissors-cuttable
magnetic strips. You can also get the stuff in wider pieces
at about any sign shop. Personally, I keep little parts
that a good sneeze could disburse in magnetic dishes that I
just set on the workbench. You can get them at Harbor Freight.

Thanks for educating us on motors and power.

Back to lurking.

 

[I am nobody]

I was putzing around in the shop this morning tearing a variable freq.
drive apart that needs a new SCR or two...

Jake, I'm just a lurker here. On my own worktops, I use
commercial latex carpet pad. However, the pad I use is very
dense 1/4" or 3/16" thick latex foam that is used under
commercial carpet installatons and under stairway carpet,
where you don't want much give in the carpet. It is not the
fluffy stuff or the rebonded particle type. That wouldn't
hold up more than a day. It is rugged, cheap and does a
great job to reduce stuff slipping around. Most of the
stuff comes with a fiber-like "scrim" on one side for
strength. You can put either side up, but I personaly liked
the scrim side up for most jobs.

When it gets dirty or gritty, just toss it and slap down
another piece. It comes in 6' wide rolls and any carpet
shop will cut you about any length you want.

Sears and other places sell an expanded polurethane toolbox
liner material. It's great for it's job, but doesn't work
on a benchtop, IMHO.

Harbor Freight or Northern Tools sell scissors-cuttable
magnetic strips. You can also get the stuff in wider pieces
at about any sign shop. Personally, I keep little parts
that a good sneeze could disburse in magnetic dishes that I
just set on the workbench. You can get them at Harbor Freight.

Thanks for educating us on motors and power.

Back to lurking.

 

[Oscar_Lives]

I was putzing around in the shop this morning tearing a variable freq.
drive apart that needs a new SCR or two...

Anyhow, I got a little 'frustrated' because the mats we use on our
bench-tops have gotten so old and grimy that I really wasn't happy laying
all these nice clean drive innards on the bench. I went and cut a piece of
cardboard to use today, but I though some new bench mats would be nice. We
used to use them even in field tear-downs sometimes to keep screws and
stuff from rolling into the numerous 'Bermuda Triangles' where small parts
seem to just disappear (-:.

I spent an hour just now Googling for these things and am having no luck,
and damned if I can remember where they came from originally.

Do any of you guys use these things, and who sells them? Some of ours had
a flat magnetic edge-side to hold stuff, which is also nice.

I went so far as to look at the Snap-On on line cat, but didn't find
anything close.

Anybody got any ideas?

Jake

BTW, I'm going to post a similar Q over at HomeRepair, but I'm not cross
posting for obvious reasons.

I've always laid out a bunch of clean shop towels, which works great until I
snag one and pull it and all the little stuff on it onto the floor...

 

[Oscar_Lives]

I was putzing around in the shop this morning tearing a variable freq.
drive apart that needs a new SCR or two...

Anyhow, I got a little 'frustrated' because the mats we use on our
bench-tops have gotten so old and grimy that I really wasn't happy laying
all these nice clean drive innards on the bench. I went and cut a piece of
cardboard to use today, but I though some new bench mats would be nice. We
used to use them even in field tear-downs sometimes to keep screws and
stuff from rolling into the numerous 'Bermuda Triangles' where small parts
seem to just disappear (-:.

I spent an hour just now Googling for these things and am having no luck,
and damned if I can remember where they came from originally.

Do any of you guys use these things, and who sells them? Some of ours had
a flat magnetic edge-side to hold stuff, which is also nice.

I went so far as to look at the Snap-On on line cat, but didn't find
anything close.

Anybody got any ideas?

Jake

BTW, I'm going to post a similar Q over at HomeRepair, but I'm not cross
posting for obvious reasons.

I've always laid out a bunch of clean shop towels, which works great until I
snag one and pull it and all the little stuff on it onto the floor...

 

[geoman]

Jake,

I typed "Mats" both in goggle and Yahoo, and Yahoo I believe actually has
more than goggle for what your looking for.

I would also try Grainger or McMaster-Carr.

Rich

 

[geoman]

Jake,

I typed "Mats" both in goggle and Yahoo, and Yahoo I believe actually has
more than goggle for what your looking for.

I would also try Grainger or McMaster-Carr.

Rich

 

[pjm]

Jake,

I typed "Mats" both in goggle and Yahoo, and Yahoo I believe actually has
more than goggle for what your looking for.

I would also try Grainger or McMaster-Carr.

Or Ebay.


Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

 

[pjm]

Jake,

I typed "Mats" both in goggle and Yahoo, and Yahoo I believe actually has
more than goggle for what your looking for.

I would also try Grainger or McMaster-Carr.

Or Ebay.


Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

 

[geoman]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml

Maybe this will help. If you need anti static due to your type of work they
have them as well.

BTW, yesterday we ran into a circuit breaker that was bad, a Federal Pacific
brand 100 amp 2 pole. Called a friend of mine, he took the cover off and
reset the breaker by pushing down on it, then reset the breaker.

What is this about????? A breaker that has to be reset internally before
you can reset it? Any other brands do this ?

Rich

 

[geoman]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml

Maybe this will help. If you need anti static due to your type of work they
have them as well.

BTW, yesterday we ran into a circuit breaker that was bad, a Federal Pacific
brand 100 amp 2 pole. Called a friend of mine, he took the cover off and
reset the breaker by pushing down on it, then reset the breaker.

What is this about????? A breaker that has to be reset internally before
you can reset it? Any other brands do this ?

Rich

 

[Black Dragon]

BTW, yesterday we ran into a circuit breaker that was bad, a Federal Pacific
brand 100 amp 2 pole. Called a friend of mine, he took the cover off and
reset the breaker by pushing down on it, then reset the breaker.

What is this about????? A breaker that has to be reset internally before
you can reset it? Any other brands do this ?

That friend of yours is a bumbling fucknut. He just made a fire hazard
even worse. For more info, google for "Federal Pacific".

HTH
HAND

 

[Black Dragon]

BTW, yesterday we ran into a circuit breaker that was bad, a Federal Pacific
brand 100 amp 2 pole. Called a friend of mine, he took the cover off and
reset the breaker by pushing down on it, then reset the breaker.

What is this about????? A breaker that has to be reset internally before
you can reset it? Any other brands do this ?

That friend of yours is a bumbling fucknut. He just made a fire hazard
even worse. For more info, google for "Federal Pacific".

HTH
HAND

 

[Noon-Air]

Jake,
try here.... I like the blue stuff.....and to keep it nice, I cover it with
Lexan
http://www.usmatandrubber.com/switch.htm#smooth

 

[Noon-Air]

Jake,
try here.... I like the blue stuff.....and to keep it nice, I cover it with
Lexan
http://www.usmatandrubber.com/switch.htm#smooth

 

[Jake]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml

Maybe this will help. If you need anti static due to your type of work they
have them as well.

BTW, yesterday we ran into a circuit breaker that was bad, a Federal Pacific
brand 100 amp 2 pole. Called a friend of mine, he took the cover off and
reset the breaker by pushing down on it, then reset the breaker.

What is this about????? A breaker that has to be reset internally before
you can reset it? Any other brands do this ?

Rich

Rich,

This concerns me, too. Was the breaker a commercial 600 V model or a
resi type.

FP had some problems with Stab-Lok breakers, and hasn't made them in
quite a while. There are some 3rd party outfits that make them. I
*think* Breakers Unlimited, which is HQ'd here in Indiana, now owns the
FPE/American Stab-Lok line.

No, I've never seen another reset on a frame that size. That's what
concerns me if it's a Stab-Lok. These breakers have a history of not
providing positive tripping on two pole units. I've seen them try to
trip, open one leg, appear to reset and then be 'jammed' so they won't
trip again.

I think it needs another look.

Jake

 

[Jake]

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml

Maybe this will help. If you need anti static due to your type of work they
have them as well.

BTW, yesterday we ran into a circuit breaker that was bad, a Federal Pacific
brand 100 amp 2 pole. Called a friend of mine, he took the cover off and
reset the breaker by pushing down on it, then reset the breaker.

What is this about????? A breaker that has to be reset internally before
you can reset it? Any other brands do this ?

Rich

Rich,

This concerns me, too. Was the breaker a commercial 600 V model or a
resi type.

FP had some problems with Stab-Lok breakers, and hasn't made them in
quite a while. There are some 3rd party outfits that make them. I
*think* Breakers Unlimited, which is HQ'd here in Indiana, now owns the
FPE/American Stab-Lok line.

No, I've never seen another reset on a frame that size. That's what
concerns me if it's a Stab-Lok. These breakers have a history of not
providing positive tripping on two pole units. I've seen them try to
trip, open one leg, appear to reset and then be 'jammed' so they won't
trip again.

I think it needs another look.

Jake

 

[geoman jr]

Geoman- he said he did this with the cover on else he would be eating the
breaker for diner. By the way , most breakers have to be turned fully to the
off position before you can reset them on, this one just requires alot more
effort. I do however agree that FP is shit and I wouldn't have it in my
house. :-((