Sure. There are all kinds of options for rubberized flooring. Foam and rubber Tiles, mats, you name it. Lots of options at various prices depending on your needs and budget. It's also great for your feet if you stand a lot in your shop.

 

Sure. There are all kinds of options for rubberized flooring. Foam and rubber Tiles, mats, you name it. Lots of options at various prices depending on your needs and budget. It s also great for your feet if you stand a lot in your shop.

- onoitsmatt

Thanks, good to know that padding exists, I would hate to see my pre lateral no 7 shatter into a million pieces! Also good to know about the foot and leg health part too.

 

Do a search for "anti-fatigue mats" - you should find several options at most home improvement stores.

 

Also, have a home for your plane that's within arms reach. I think that most dropped tools are ones that were set on the bench for "just a second" while using another tool and are then subsequently nudged off, on to the floor.

 

Horse stall mats are used by many for both anti-fatigue and shock absorbing. Sold at places like Tractor Supply or other, they are also cheaper per square foot than many anti-fatigue mats.

 

Another contender is sports flooring, used in weightlifting rooms and the like. Made to take a beating. No idea what it costs, though. Horse stall mats may still be cheaper.

 

Places that sell sporting goods/exercise equipment, like Sports Authority sell the interlocking exercise mats pretty cheap, particularly when they go on sale. Or you can get sets of them (6 mats, 12 borders) for about $20 at places like Amazon, Walmart or even HF.

Cheers,
Brad

 

Agree with the above, I've just been lazy I guess in getting some mats for my shop. Also I've dropped a vintage plane a few times on concrete and haven't had one break, so it's not that they're like glass or something. But I've seen a lot of broken vintage planes so it certainly happens. Murphy says the pre-lateral would be the first to shatter.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone!

 

Having a mat or wood in front of your bench is
a good idea. I dropped a Stanley spokeshave once
on concrete and it broke. Older iron piece. The
newer ones are tougher iron but there's still the
same weak spot in the design at the edge of the
mouth.

I've dropped planes on concrete a few times and
been lucky so far. Mats can be tricky to keep
clean, I'd prefer a nicely flat-fastened wood-stuff
panel of some sort I think. Mats don't get ruined
by floor flooding, if that can be an issue for your
shop.