estesbubba Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 So 2 years ago when I built my shop I went a little overboard with anti-fatigue mats thinking that putting them everywhere would be good for my feet. Well they probably are good for my feet buy they are a PITA when it comes to cleaning the shop plus I have to watch everywhere I step. I have to sweep all the dust off the mats, then pick them all up and sweep again, then try and remember how they all go back together, so I'm looking to purge a few (or a lot). I'm thinking anywhere you stand in place they make sense like the workbench, bandsaws, router table, and drill press. Areas where you're moving back and forth like the table saw, jointer, planer, and drum sander I'm thinking of getting rid of. The assembly table might be a good place to keep mats. What do you guys think and where do you like to use mats? The other thing I thought about is getting a vacuum to clean the shop instead of using a broom which would make it easier (maybe) leaving the mats. I think good socks and comfortable shoes make a big difference and the mats help a little. Since I'm walking all over the place in the shop I'm still on a lot of concrete. Here is my mat overload. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 I use 2 large mats in my shop and they're located in front of the bench I do most of my work at. That's it! I do have to pick them up to do a good shop cleaning but, for everyday cleanups, I just sweep them off when I sweep the floor. FWIW, I have the Rockler matts that I got for Christmas and they work well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 I prefer a vacuum for most things. Sweeping drives fine dust into the air and is not effective in some textured surfaces. It all depends on the size of the mess. Shovel the shavings, vacuum the fines. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 Mike, if I had the room, I would probably place by the bench and assembly table. These areas make the most sense if you drop a chisel or something, you have some protection. If you keep where they are, I would get a shop vac to clean them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Bob Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 I have 2 mats 1 on each side of my bench. I installed a central vac through a dust deputy that handles all of my shop vacuuming needs. My building is 70ft long and I have it plumbed with pvc and blast gates so all I need to do move the hose to the area I am working. I really don't like shop vacs just because they take up to much space and I always trip over the things. I have a CT mini but it is stored and I can't remember when I last used it. Using the central vac makes cleaning the floor easy and I don't have to lift the mats. Add in that it handles the DC for my miter saw, router table, drum, oscilating, ros sanders, and all of the other Festool stuff, makes it money well spent. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted August 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 1 hour ago, Woodenskye said: Mike, if I had the room, I would probably place by the bench and assembly table. These areas make the most sense if you drop a chisel or something, you have some protection. If you keep where they are, I would get a shop vac to clean them. Good point about dropping - as my wife says I'm very accident prone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 I had mats all over, then I got rid of them because they were a PITA, then I bought more because my knees and back got achy over the course of days and weeks, now I live with them and this: http://www.rockler.com/dust-right-floor-sweep-system I double-stick-taped my mats to the concrete floor, which helps when I'm either sucking with the DC or blowing with the backpack blower. Either way, the mats are a PITA but still worth it in the long run. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaziri Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 As a matter of principle, mats placed strategically around the shop is a great idea. It can be a PITA but they do serve a good purpose. I placed mats around my workbench mainly to protect any tools that I will certainly drop. I plan to place a similar perimeter of mats around my assembly table when it gets built. However, I do wonder about the utility of the mats around all the tools because, in my case, I do not spend extended periods of time at any one power tool. Finally, I am not sure I could handle my workshop if I did not vacuum the floor about 1-2 times per week. Cleaning these mats is a breeze with a shop vac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 I just have one big, beautiful Festool mat at my workbench. I don't really clean under it I mostly vacuum my shop so I'm able to clean around it pretty good. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 I have a mat at my lathe, because that is the only machine I stand at without moving around much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 58 minutes ago, shaneymack said: I just have one big, beautiful Festool mat at my workbench. I don't really clean under it I mostly vacuum my shop so I'm able to clean around it pretty good. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Your kiding about the beautiful festool mat.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 I never use mats in my "shop", because I don't get to spend enough time there at one stretch to need them.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 I did the entire floor with mats, and left a gap around heavy machinery. I use a sweep attachment for my shop vac, which cleans great and does not suck up the mats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted August 20, 2016 Report Share Posted August 20, 2016 2 x 6 in front of the bench and the tablesaw. All others seem to have fallen out of favor. Good tip from Pug on the type of nozzle solving the mat-sucking issue. I actually vacuum mine and they are not fastened down. I can't seem to find a picture of it but, I added a couple of little oak runners on my smooth surface nozzle that keeps it from sucking down onto things and maintains airflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted August 21, 2016 Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 No mats - comfy shoes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted August 21, 2016 Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 13 hours ago, Pug said: I did the entire floor with mats, and left a gap around heavy machinery. I use a sweep attachment for my shop vac, which cleans great and does not suck up the mats. Pug, where did you get this? Worn out Craftsman mats and barefoot for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted August 21, 2016 Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 3 minutes ago, K Cooper said: Pug, where did you get this? Worn out Craftsman mats and barefoot for me. Home depoop. It's with shop vacs, and you can get it in two sizes, whatever suits your vac. Mine is the 2 1/4" version. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 21, 2016 Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 I have mats on both sides of my bench and one 3 section piece that covers both the drum sander and planer. I also don't sweep or vacuum the shop. I Blow it with a leaf blower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted August 21, 2016 Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 Thanks Pug! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted August 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 Well I purged tonight and have mats around the Roubo, assembly table, and in front of router table. I'll see how that goes and what my legs and back feel like. I would never wear them in public but last winter I bought some Sketchers Go Walk shoes and their soles are soft like mats and very comfortable with some nice hiking socks. I'm also considering buying this which would make vacuuming really easy. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NASZG8/ref=s9_simh_gw_p328_d0_i1?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=ES7HBVPPEQR19YVAGADH&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=439659db-41fa-4a3b-8e0f-31b9d08e4568&pf_rd_i=desktop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 21, 2016 Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 I would never wear them in public but last winter I bought some Sketchers Go Walk shoes and their soles are soft like mats and very comfortable with some nice hiking socks. I wouldn't wear them in public, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted August 21, 2016 Report Share Posted August 21, 2016 10 hours ago, estesbubba said: Well I purged tonight and have mats around the Roubo, assembly table, and in front of router table. I'll see how that goes and what my legs and back feel like. I would never wear them in public but last winter I bought some Sketchers Go Walk shoes and their soles are soft like mats and very comfortable with some nice hiking socks. I'm also considering buying this which would make vacuuming really easy. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NASZG8/ref=s9_simh_gw_p328_d0_i1?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=ES7HBVPPEQR19YVAGADH&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=439659db-41fa-4a3b-8e0f-31b9d08e4568&pf_rd_i=desktop Reminds me of this 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allpurpose Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 I have to confess I don't own a single mat, but did used to leave shavings from the plane on the floor to cusion my steps,but i was tracking them all through the house so i stopped that. Good shoes with high quality inserts, especially in the heel make all the difference.. I just don't know how people can be so tidy.. Actually I have tidyness envy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 No mats for me..May need some when I get old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted August 24, 2016 Report Share Posted August 24, 2016 I don't have mats and I do like my Brooks Beasts shoes, I can be out there all day no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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