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Horse stall mats at the lathe

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Horse stall mats at the lathe

#1

Horse stall mats at the lathe

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>Hello Everyone,

While picking up some mulch at the local feed and seed/garden store (Davis Feed and Seed), I took a moment to examine the horse stall mats they had on hand. I have heard many of your speak highly of their use in the shop and wanted to see how durable they were. They measured 6' long x 4' wide, were about 3/4" thick, and sold for $34.99. So along with the cubic yard of mulch I was "sent" there for, I bought one mat for my shop.

If you're going to try and move them around by yourself, let me warn you first. Those things are HEAVY! Or maybe it was because I waited until all the yard work was done before I tried to move it. But I managed to drag it into the shop and set it up at the lathe.

Let me tell you, it was a real pleasure to work at the lathe with this mat in place! The cushioning made it feel like I was wearing brand new running shoes. I will probably go back and get another for in front of my workbench. Another benefit is that when you vacuum up after turning, the mats will not be "pulled up" by the vacuum (this is a minor annoyance I have with the thinner mats sold by wood working stores).

While I will definitely get more mats for the areas where I stand often, it's not like I'm going to line the entire shop floor. Since I have limited space, all my tools are on mobile bases. And tools don't roll all that well on this springy kind of surface. But still, it sure made a difference at my lathe!

See ya around,

My ugly mug

Dominic

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#2

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Thanks Dom. "Minor annoyance"? I find that one major!

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#3

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

Tony Reynolds in Newark, Ohio

>They're great on the feet, legs and back. I've been using one for over a year. Before that I was having leg and back problems standing on concrete in front of the lathe for hours. Since installing the stall mat problems went away. Dominic, now you just need to get the saddle for riding the lathe on those hollow turnings. :>)

Tony

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#4

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

Don Evans

>Mike:

How about double sided carpet tape to cure the vacuum or just movement annoyance?

In front of my lathe, I layed 3 2x4's on edge and screwed 3/4" plywood on top, then topped that with the rubber mat (gray) sold at Lowes. It's 30" wide and on a roll which they cut to the length you want. It works well but a double thickness of the mat would be even better. But to double it, you are up to the price of the horse mats. I'll have to check those out, anyone know what they are made of? I'm picturing something like a door mat type material, is that close?

Don

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#5

Tony Reynolds

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

Tony Reynolds

>Hi Don,

I think they're made from ground up old tires. Try one out, I think you'll like them. Just don't get a hernia moving it around, they are VERY heavy.

Tony

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#6

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>The question is: Would they be moved around when I clean up my shop with the leaf blower - a la Bill Murry in Caddyshack?

Mark

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#7

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

Ernie Miller Topeka

>You are going to regret not buying it sooner. I am two mats away from doing the entire nander shop floor. one saved a #6 from breaking awile back. Think of all the saved tips from tools that are set on the lathe bed while checking with callipers.

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#8

They're Made From Tires...

Clem Wixted Jonesboro, AR

>... that are cut into approx 3/4 inch thick strips around the circumference of the tire.They are then "sewn" together with wire, with the strips on edge and the wire running through the width of the mat.

Clem

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#9

My feet thankyou!!

Lea Lysett

>

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#10

mats at the lathe

TDaniel

>I recently bought some mats at Sam's Club that look like large pieces from a jigsaw puzzle. They are just right...not too hard....not too soft. About $17 I think. There was enough in the pack for both my lathes.

TD

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#11

NOT a chance!

Dominic Greco in Sunny Richboro PA

>Mark,

These things are really heavy and wouldn't move if you put 40,000 volts through em' (Yes, a direct quote from "the Parrot Sketch" ala Monty Python's Flying Circus")

Just the shear surface area alone is enough to grip the floor.

See ya,

Dominic

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#12

Re: mats at the lathe

JamieDonaldson

>Most horse stall mats available today are made of shredded tires which are rebonded into flat stock. I have been using them for years- I've been in the horse business for 37 yrs. so I've seen them used in many heavy duty ways!If you think moving them is a job, wait until you have to cut one into shaped pieces!

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#13

Re: They're Made From Tires...

Eddie Severt, Bolt,WV

>They are made from ground up tires, but are not sewn into strips. They are a solid surface. They are soft to cushion horses feet on hard surfaces. They are also waterproof to keep urine, etc. from going through when used in stalls or trailers. VERY good feeling to the feet.

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#14

How do you do THAT?

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>Jamie,

I gotta' know! How do you cut this stuff!? And don't you dare say "Very carefully!" :>)

I'm thinking that you'd have to use a box cutter and a straight edge.

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#15

Electric turkey carver

TDaniel

>

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#16

Re: How do you do THAT?

Jack Brown

>Many years ago my dad raised ponys and we used rubber belting from conveyors in coal mines for this pourpose. We would lay it on a board and cut it with a circular saw. The belting was 1/2 - 5/8" thick. This worked very well.

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#17

Re: How do you do THAT?

Ernie Miller Topeka

>I used a skill saw and a junk blade they might have a little steel in them from the steel cables that run around the bead of the tire. but most is removed with maginets when it is reprocessec.

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#18

Re: Place them up side down

Ernie Miller Topeka

>Dom I installed mine upside down that way I have a smooth floor and not the ribbed floor that is made for horses. I tend to whear house slippers in the hand tools shop and it feal better on the feet and makes it easier to sweep up.

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#19

Same here

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>That's the way I have mine Ernie! I didn't like the ribs all sticking up and making a channel for all the sawdust to reside in. It sure makes cleaning up easier.

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Horse stall mats at the lathe

#20

Re: How do you do THAT?

Lee Weed

>Dominic,

I cut mine with a sawzall and a 14 tpi metal blade

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