Replies

1. 
   esch5995 | Mar 19, 2022 10:18pm | #1

   I don't have in my shop but I do in my home gym area where it is ideal. I would think it would be fun in the shop... As long as you don't frequently need to move heavy equipment around. If you are fortunate enough to have a shop large enough to have your equipment stay in place I would say go for it.

1. 
   user-7859814 | Mar 19, 2022 10:26pm | #2

   Thanks for your reply, do u think sweeping sawdust off it would be an issue ? I feel like it would be tacky/sticky

1. 
   chiwoodworker | Mar 20, 2022 09:29am | #7

   Sweeping isn't the easiest but I tend to reach for the compressed air and open the door if the weather permits.

2. 
   stevieray | Mar 20, 2022 05:13am | #3

   I epoxied my floor. Yes, it does require acid etching, but that's no big deal if you can vent the emissions. I love the look, and sweeping up is easier than on a bare concrete floor. Ideally, I would prefer a wood floor, for dropped tools etc., but I'm happy.

3. 
   oxmach | Mar 20, 2022 07:48am | #4

   I have a fair amount of the interlocking tiles, mainly around my bench and I front of a few stationary tools. Sweeping is no horribly efficient as they have a bit of texture, and brushing can cause a bit of static cling. I use my dust collector with a large floor accessory and they clean up easily. I really like them around the bench for anti fatigue and if something drops I.e. sharp chisel, work piece etc. they don’t get dinged by the concrete.

4. 
   Jkatzowitz | Mar 20, 2022 08:07am | #5

   I have some interlocking foam tiles set around my work bench and they work great. I use a stiff broom to sweep up sawdust and shavings and it's not a problem. My tiles sit on a concrete floor and they used to slide around some, especially while hand planing at the bench, but a strip of carpet tape solved that problem.

5. 
   chiwoodworker | Mar 20, 2022 09:22am | #6

   I've been using those since you could only get them in a multicolored pack. The biggest problem I have is buying enough of the same kind. Some interlock differently. Menards seems to be the only consistent source. Everywhere else it's hit or mis. I've tried expensive anti-fatigue mats and found the bump in price not worth it. Just to be clear they are around machinery and benches. The machines sit on the concrete.

6. 
   fivebirdscustom | Mar 20, 2022 11:15am | #8

   I started off in my small shop with foam tiles form Harbor Freight. I bought two packs, and put them around my shop. They covered most of the floor space. It held up okay... Other than the seams and edges occasionally curling up, and the piles of sawdust which worked tis way into the seams... It got solvents dripped on it, paint, dirt, screws, nails, etc.... NO complaints for the investment. I used it every day, too.

   Last year, I decided I wanted to upgrade. I looked around, locally, and found a place that did recycled rubber flooring. I bought some of their thinnest, recycled, colors didn't matter stuff. Enough to do my whole shop, and have some left over. I think it's about 3/8" thick. I will say, it is not the super cushy floor I'd love to have, but it's got a decent enough amount of cushion. It came in 48" rolls and I just taped a few of the seams.

   The newer rubber flooring is easier to clean, doesn't move, or lift any, and I think it'll last longer.

   I can't remember how much it cost. But, as cheap as I am, I cannot imagine I paid too much more than. buck a foot.

   If it was in my house, and cushion isn't as big of a factor as it was for me, I'd look at 'Luxury' Vinyl Plank (LVP). It's cheap and sturdy and if you get the kind that glues to itself, you won't get dust up underneath it as easily.

7. 
   user-210490 | Mar 20, 2022 06:19pm | #9

   I have the interlocking foam tiles throughout the shop. No problem with sweeping up or using dust collector. The snap on edging sometimes comes off in spots but that's not a big enough problem. Much easier on the legs than a bare concrete floor.

8. 
   rob_ss | Mar 21, 2022 02:41am | #10

   I have bare concrete and clean it with a leaf blower and an open door.
   I would prefer foam though, and one day will make the investment.
   Were yours my shop, I'd start with the foam, cash permitting.

9. 
   user-1118538293 | Mar 21, 2022 10:19am | #11

   I've had foam puzzle mats in the traffic areas of my shop for a few months now (on top of concrete) and so far I like it. It does have a tendency to develop a static charge. And when I vacuum it, it can create a seal with the floor tool on my vac (I don't have mine secured down, so they can pull up a bit). I may cut some relief channels in the nozzle to lessen the effect.
   I now purchase all of this kind of stuff from Great Mats: https://www.greatmats.com/
   They have a wide selection of products including multiple thicknesses and colors of puzzle mats, and most products are eligible for free shipping with a relatively small minimum order. I found their service to be responsive.
   Side note: if you have extra edge pieces, they are reasonably effective at unclogging sanding belts. Not quite as good as crepe, but if you got them for free, you might as well use them for something.

10. 
    [email protected] | Mar 27, 2022 06:08pm | #12

    In my bench room I installed Styrofoam backed,pressboard topped T&G 18 inch square floor boards from Home Depot.Probably more expensive than what you used but a great product.A friend just installed a mixed bag of left over ,but equal size,click and clack vinyl strip flooring and is very very happy.Dont recall if it had the pad under it but walking or standing on it was wonderful.Scrounge around at the retailers and installers to find leftovers

1. 
   rob_ss | Mar 28, 2022 04:19am | #14

   That's a really good idea. I don't care if the floor of my shop matches...

11. 
    McFarlaneM | Mar 28, 2022 03:29am | #13

    you'll want to attach the mats together at the surface using tape or connector strips. Vinyl topped foam roll out mats can be held together using tape. If the foam mats have a carpet top, you'll want to use a Velcro-style hook and loop connector strip at the seams.

12. 
    user-1118538293 | Mar 30, 2022 08:12am | #15

    Per McFarlaneM's note about tape, it's a chance for me to put in a plug for one of my favorite products--wrestling mat tape. It's a thick, heavy tape, normally clear in color. It sticks quite well to a range of surfaces, and the adhesive peels off of almost anything with no residue. It's like super-strength Post-It glue. Super useful around the shop, the home, and the office. Awesome for mats as it holds them together firmly but peels off cleanly if you want to re-arrange.

13. 
    Pete99353 | Sep 23, 2022 03:37pm | #16

    In my previous 1200 sf shop I had the soft foam interlocking pads, usually found in kids playrooms. They were red, yellow, blue and green. I put them where I would spend the most time, in front of the table saw, miter saw station, workbench, jointer and planer. I put the red pads in front of the blades as a gentle safety reminder.
    Sweeping could get most to the sawdust and a dust extractor/collector with a floor attachment got what the broom left behind. Worked well for 20 years.

14. 
    dcp | Sep 28, 2022 11:56pm | #17

    I also have a basement shop and put 4 x 6’ (3/4” thick) horse stall mats around and under the bench space. They were not an inexpensive option, but they have saved my edge tools from the occasional drop on the floor.

    In the machine area, I just have a few 2 x 4’ mats in front of the tablesaw, jointer, etc to take the strain of standing on the concrete floor.