Not sure how I missed this for so long? I'll tell you what I do for exactly that, which works spectacular for me, maybe for you too?
Anyone have experience with those cut-resistant, multilayer, workbench protectors. The ones with the rules on the surface?
They're great to throw on the workbench for a writing surface, but as has been said in several ways, they're more for "crafting" and less for "working". I keep one on my desk at work. It's literally in the middle of a repair/fabrication area of a busy shop. It's great for writing, mouse padding, easy clean up if I choose to have my lunch there, but the workbench wrecks 'em quick. They're good, but short lived.
Won't be doing much cutting on it, but disassembling equipment, maneuvering heavy things on it, etc.
Cheap floppy mud flaps work great for this. A little cusion, a little "sticktivity", still can drag stuff around. Bomb proof, chemical proof, and tough as nails. Toss it on the floor if you want to set something there that shouldn't really be set on the concrete. Toss it in front of a lower cabinet if you have to reach in the back and the floor doesn't get along with your knees any more. Toss it in your truck bed if you want to keep something by the tailgate. Toss it (if it's clean.....) on the carpet in the back of your trunk or SUV if you've got something in a cardboard box that you know is gonna slide all over... They also cut well with (old) tin snips, and make a great raw material for shims, isolators, protectors, and such, if you have a need for such things. Check out your local Fleetpride, which I'll link to because they're everywhere, or any other heavy truck parts store nearby.
These are the type I have come to prefer. The "chevrons" are raised about an eighth of an inch. Holds oil, screws, keeps round things from rolling away. They also have a flat variety, but they're not so popular, might not be right in stock. Still cheap though.
GLOBETECH MANUFACTURING-24X24X1/4 RUBBER CHEVRON MUD FLAP-GT-2424C
www.fleetpride.com
GLOBETECH MANUFACTURING-24X36X1/4 RUBBER CHEVRON MUD FLAP-GT-2436C
www.fleetpride.com