Bench Mat

[cdjswiss]

Cousins sell an antistatic bench mat with the label A*F Switzerland. It consists of two layers the upper green and lower white. Between the two is a space that in the sample that I purchased contained some air. If it was made in Switzerland there would be less of a problem, but it was probably made at sea level, perhaps the South China Sea? At our altitude of 720 m it inflated like a flat balloon. The solution was simple, just a hole in the lower white skin. Anyone tempted to buy this 'Swiss' version and living at high altitude, for example Denver, should note this fix. Or try the cheaper Cousins model.

[Geo]

Wow 720Mtr ! Do you go around with oxygen cylinders strapped to your backs? :)

[cdjswiss]

Wow 720Mtr ! Do you go around with oxygen cylinders strapped to your backs? :)

No, but when we go down to the sea we are supercharged.

[Tentotwo]

Ha,

I live aprox 5 mtrs below sea level. What do I get, a big round balloon ??

:D

[Blacklab]

246ft above sea level here in the Essex alps. if this global warming cobblers continues, I should end up with a beach front property.

[Geo]

if this global warming cobblers continues, I should end up with a beach front property.

And I'll be breathing through a snorkel! :(

[bobm12]

Maybe I could use one of those pads for dual purposing: watch repair at home and inflatable raft at the beach! :)

[clockwatcher]

Watch repair at the beach could be interesting!

[rogart63]

Bergeon or will cousinuk do ? Black or green ? Any other mat that are good ? I have seen cutting mat for leather work ? 

Edited May 29, 2015 by rogart63

[Ishima]

I've struggled with this one, the cousins self adhesive ones are hit and miss, sometimes they're okay, but I've effectively had to replace one as soon as it arrived once, the bergeon self adhesive ones are probably one of the the best, but I just can't justify spending that much on a plastic mat. (I mean it really is insanity) The AF Swiss ones, you can't get these as self adhesive, so these have a padding underneath that grips the work bench, but they are a nightmare because they're made poorly (believe it or not) because it's quite literally impossible to get them to sit flat. 

 

Edited May 30, 2015 by Ishima

[ro63rto]

How about visiting kitchen shops and asking for an off cut of formica laminate. A new 10ft piece costs £40 so a small piece for your desk should be vastly cheaper. Loads of solid colours around inc green.

[Rob]

I suspect Bergeon is using the same material used for drawing boards, called Vyco (made by a company named Alvin). Difference being it's cheaper. :)

 

Edited May 30, 2015 by Rob

[rogart63]

I suspect Bergeon is using the same material used for drawing boards, called Vyco (made by a company named Alvin). Difference being it's cheaper. :)

[rogart63]

That is looking good . Are they sold by inch ? Is the measurement in inch or cm ? That is something i will go for . Just checking out where the best place would be to buy it from ? And how big piece i will need . 

Vyco Sheet-Green Cream 18 X 24

MSRP:
$30.00

Your Price:
$19.50

Edited May 30, 2015 by rogart63

[Rob]

They're sold in various sheet sizes, but also on rolls. Measurements are usually in inches.

 

(btw, I haven't found any here in Sweden, but there's a similar material called Pro-Tec, sold by the dm.)

[Irishcain]

The best ones I've found have been the self healing cutting mats like this

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025189VE/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0013CKM2A&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=046NY4RG5BRGAHRH59X1

Lots of sizes, inexpensive, non-skid.

[Geo]

You can always go really cheap, a sheet of A3 or A4 paper and replace it every job. The small raised table that sits on top of my workbench was designed to take a sheet of A4 and has worked well for years. White works fine. The only reason I have Bergeon mat fitted on it just now is that I was given it.

[frenchie]

You can always go really cheap, a sheet of A3 or A4 paper and replace it every job. The small raised table that sits on top of my workbench was designed to take a sheet of A4 and has worked well for years. White works fine. The only reason I have Bergeon mat fitted on it just now is that I was given it.

 

Same here. Sheet of paper at first, light green Bergeon mat now.

[bobm12]

Hi rogart,

 

Here is my suggestion, you can't work watches on it but you can allways put the Bergeon mat on top. :D

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[deloidtoc]

I used to yearn for a black bench mat with side walls but no one makes those anymore. I have been using a cheap mat  but it is too hard and things that bounce and hide do a great job on this mat. I was thinking about the Bergeon 7808 in classic green but now I see so many variations including ridged mats. I don't want an adhesive back since I move from my real bench to the computer bench quite often.

Recommendations?

[oldhippy]

I used green blotting paper under a thick piece of glass about 2ft square, to prevent it moving with small pin nails, those without heads, I think there called pin nails.

[rogart63]

I use a cutting mat on my desk. And when i do watchwork i have a Bergeon foam mat over that. Like the foam as it makes parts not bounce. Clean it every time i use it with a tape roller. 

[jdm]

I have the cheap mat from Cousins and it's just right for me. Things don't bounce. it has a slight grip that keeps them in place.

[steve855]

I recently picked up two of these;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011R32JKM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_H2XUwb3HPC3SH

They are sold as a hi temp silicone baking mat but work quite well as a bench mat. Parts are easy to see and don't roll or bounce away easily. They are available in various sizes and colors for reasonable money. Seem to wipe clean without much trouble, and can be rolled up for storage when not in use. I am very happy with how it has worked for me, but maybe I just don't know any better since I never had a purpose-made bench mat for watch repair.

Edited February 10, 2016 by steve855

[bobm12]

 

picked up two of these...

I suppose you can always use double sided tape to affix it to the bench/table if it is not staying properly in place...the price can't be beat if it performs well. The different versions from Horotec, Bergeon and Chinese range between US$12 and US$45, the cheaper are either non anti skip or peel the back for permanent (glue) attachment...color will also make the price vary.