Bench top mat

[Bill B]

While browsing YouTube I came across a guy that repairs electronic devices and he had a bench top mat with compartments to keep screws etc organized.  And well since I'm on this board I dabble in fishing reel repair 😆. So the video got me thinking this might be useful.  While they call it a soldering station mat made of silicone it might be useful.  We know Fred has a corner on the serving tray market and they work well for his production, I thought this might be useful. I'm thinking it's a little small. What say you?  Bill

Edit, I did find another that's a little bigger.  21.6x16.9

[ReelClean]

Yep, been using that one for a while.  The compartments are useful for laying out parts and the magnetic sections are good for those little balls and springs etc.
When it gets filthy just hit it with some degreaser and a brush.

[Hardy Boy]

It would work for sure. I get all of the old place mats and towels so I just use those and toss once they get too greasy.

Todd

[handi2]

I got mine Tuesday

Thanks

[Donnyboat]

interesting thanks for posting, cheers Don.

[Gobi King]

I need one that will take some abuse to work in heavy stuff, accidentally made a hole on the table top protector, grandma was not happy but atleast I did not poke a hole in the Henredon.

[jurelometer]

Silicone is good for not bonding to adhesives, and withstanding heat. 

Silicone  is not so good at resisting cuts puncture, tearing.

The silicone that I work mostly with (two-part RTV) readily absorbs solvents, and then slowly leaches them back out over time - not a good property health-wise.  Also absorbs oils a bit and gets tough to clean.  Don't know if this applies to the silicone used to make these mats.

Plain old polyethylene and polypropylene plastics are are cheap, tough, and pretty resistant to most adhesives, solvents and oils. Those polypropylene lunch trays are dirt cheap at restaurant supply houses (one per opened reel- yay!).  I think they make some multi-compartment ones. Easy to clean, too.

My $0.02,

-J

[tincanary]

I use cafeteria trays lined with a terrycloth, smaller parts go inside a medical instrument tray.  I have a dozen of each so I can work on many reels at a time, got a nice little system going over here.

[handi2]

I use cafeteria trays lined with a terrycloth, smaller parts go inside a medical instrument tray.  I have a dozen of each so I can work on many reels at a time, got a nice little system going over here.

I see you use as many Qtips as I do!

[steelfish]

dang, Im cheap and always wanted one of those Silicon trays but the cost and the easy to cut and puncture factor (as Jurelometer said) had kept me away from it, maybe one day I will get one, but for now Im using some storage container LIDS as my working mats, my wife bought some containers to organize some of her paperwork as teacher but didnt needed the Lids, so, I took one to work on the reels and it worked pretty good, you can find some with "multi-compartiments" or flats, too bad they dont sell just the lids   

PS: food/restaurante trays are pretty good option, thanks  

[foakes]

For me, I just use restaurant fast food trays —- 10" X 14".

Plus peanut butter, candy, and other large container lids for small parts when disassembling for US cleaning.

Pretty simple and easy to stay organized.

1) easy to work on multiple reels

2) small parts are easy to slide up the smooth beveled edges

3) easy clean up

4) I have purchased 4 dozen over 25 years —- the first ones are
  still as perfect as the newer ones.  They are indestructible
  and will not tear or stain.

5) dirt cheap

6) stack easily to save room

7) I have orange, brown and dark blue

efficient and simple

Best, Fred

[MarkT]

Knipex plier wrench? I love them... I have the 250 and 180 sizes. I should one of the smaller ones too.

[alantani]

man, you guys are way too organized!

[tincanary]

For me, I just use restaurant fast food trays —- 10" X 14".

Plus peanut butter, candy, and other large container lids for small parts when disassembling for US cleaning.

Pretty simple and easy to stay organized.

1) easy to work on multiple reels

2) small parts are easy to slide up the smooth beveled edges

3) easy clean up

4) I have purchased 4 dozen over 25 years —- the first ones are
  still as perfect as the newer ones.  They are indestructible
  and will not tear or stain.

5) dirt cheap

6) stack easily to save room

7) I have orange, brown and dark blue

efficient and simple

Best, Fred

I learned the cafeteria tray trick from you a couple of years ago.  Great stuff!

[ReelClean]

Another benefit of the silicone mats I was just reminded of is that it grips whatever you press on it, useful when trying to lean on stuck frame screws or trying to push that bluddy e-clip back on!