Should I cover my workbench with carpet?

[TheGoodTexan]

Today's meaningless question. Should I cover my workbench with carpet?

I'm making a new top for my workbench, which stays in the garage. The old top was the original, which was a formica-type thing glued to cheap MDF. The moisture got to it and the wood swelled, and formica started lifting on the edges... got really sharp in places, and "bubbly" in other areas. So I got a new piece of better quality MDF (had to special order it actually), and rounded over the front and side edges with a router, and sealed it tight with a Minwax product and some spray shellac on the edges (as much as it would soak up). I lightly sanded it all flat. Then, just for fun... I took some polishing compound and some 0000 steel wool and polished up an area - which looked so nice and shiny! haha..

But I got to thinking... maybe I should cover the top in some ozite-type carpet... sort of a backless shop carpet... just for some extra protection? I've used it before over raw MDF and it does a decent job. Or just leave it uncovered... and polish the top as previously described?

The work bench is where I do most of my guitar work, with one of those old StewMac guitar pads with the neck cradle. I do soldering there. Work on electronics. Speakers. Dremel type stuff.

 

[PhoenixBill]

I would not. Too much stuff would get lodged in there, like metal shavings etc. that could scratch a guitar set on there.

 

[teleteej]

I just use a rubber mat from Stew-Mac and roll it up when not in use.

 

[fidopunk]

I would not. Too much stuff would get lodged in there, like metal shavings etc. that could scratch a guitar set on there.

This right here. I would wipe down the wood, maybe use a little rubber or foam, and then call it a day.

 

[brookdalebill]

I would not. Too much stuff would get lodged in there, like metal shavings etc. that could scratch a guitar set on there.

Solder, too.

 

[geoff_in_nc]

I just use a rubber mat from Stew-Mac and roll it up when not in use.

A yoga mat (cut to size) would work too.

 

[radtz]

Shag... Thick luxurious 70's shag....

I do the rubber mat thing. You can buy a roll for cheap on Amazon. I roll it up when not in use.

 

[ce24]

I use yoga mats….no need to attach them as they stay with their own friction and easy to replace when messed up from work.

 

[Danb541]

i use whatever but carpet isn't my favorite. Lately Ive been using a floor mat runner from lowes. its sort of a carpet material but really short.

 

[TheGoodTexan]

I would not. Too much stuff would get lodged in there, like metal shavings etc. that could scratch a guitar set on there.

Didn't even think of that. That answers it.

 

[brookdalebill]

I would not. Too much stuff would get lodged in there, like metal shavings etc. that could scratch a guitar set on there.

Solder, too.

Didn't even think of that. That answers it.

I do set ups and minor repairs at my Wednesday day job.
I use steel wool to clean fingerboards and frets.
I mask off the pickups (if there are any), and do that work a considerable distance from my workbench/solder station.
That workbench has a rubber mat.

 

[Swirling Snow]

We tried carpet on our customer service bench for a short time - until someone's guitar got set down on a lost screw.

 

[tery]

Hi - No.

 

[King Fan]

+1 on all the (wow, so many) good reasons not to use carpet.

To double down on the solder thing: most folks worry about the fumes -- but fumes don't carry lead, just flux smoke, which is 'only' a respiratory irritant. It's the lead spatter / crumbs / microdrop dust that's toxic -- the Brits call it 'dross'. This stuff is what gives you lead poisoning, it's why we're told not to eat or drink around soldering, and why we wash our hands when we're done. And carpet is the perfect place to stockpile it and get exposed to it.

 

[TheGoodTexan]

Ok, so "no" on the carpet.

But what about elephant hide?

 

[King Fan]

Nah, elephants can have anthrax, and their hide can carry the spores....

 

[Cam]

I have a nice melted spot on my carpet where I fumble dropped a soldering iron. Ixnay on the arpetcay!!!!

 

[KokoTele]

I've wanted yoga mats to work, but the ones that will stay put have too much friction on the surface and will stick to a nitro-finished guitar if you let it sit overnight.

Target sells these big neoprene kitchen floor mats for $24 that are essentially big mouse pads. They have a fabric covering with no pile so you can sweep dust and debris away, and mostly stay put on the bench. If I could avoid dripping glue on them, they'd last me forever. As it is, I get a couple of years out of one before I need to replace it.

40" x 20" Neoprene Kitchen Comfort Mat - Threshold™

Read reviews and buy 40" x 20" Neoprene Kitchen Comfort Mat - Threshold™ at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

 

[radtz]

Nah, elephants can have anthrax, and their hide can carry the spores....

Is that where Nah-gahide comes from?

 

[Controller]

I like the way the OP thinks - out of the box. If you carpet your workbench it will be a good place to grab a quick nap!