Anti-Fatigue Mats

[HSS]

My wife bought me a set of the ones from MSC with the yellow border around them. They are a bit hard to clean, so I don't clean them very often, but they do help when standing if front of the lathe or work table. I have used the ones with the holes in them and hated them. If you drop a small part or nut on them its a bear trying to find what you dropped.

Patrick

 

[xalky]

I have some pricier anti-fatigue mats but they were well worth the price for me. They're made by Wearwell & come in different grades, thicknesses, & textures. I liked the one I got for my lathe so much I had to get another for my mill when I got the mill. The one for my mill is an off the shelf size, the one for my lathe was custom cut to size. The edges are beveled so no trip hazard at all & makes cleaning easy. I just vacuum or sweep them.


(The 4 dimples are from my vacuum sitting on it)

That type of mat is probably the most comfortable to stand on. I would like some but I haven't found any at a price that I'd like to pay.

I have some rubber "egg crate" type rubber mats that are pretty comfortable but impossible to clean. The only way to clean them and around them is to pull them up and shake them out, which so far hasn't been too much of a hassle, compared to walking on concrete, they save a lot ankle, back, and knee pain.

I also buy the best gel inserts for my boots that I can find, they're worth every penny, and I usually can reuse them a couple of times when I get a new pair of boots. I can walk on wood floors all day without much issue, but concrete destroys me unless I have my gel inserts.

 

[george wilson]

I just wear a Dr. Shoals(?) gel insert in my shoes.Walking on concrete doesn't bother me because the relief is in my shoes.

 

[catoctin]

Yup! That's what I was saying in my comment above. In addition to being able to move your cushioning around with you, the cleanup problem around and under mats is gone.

I just wear a Dr. Shoals(?) gel insert in my shoes.Walking on concrete doesn't bother me because the relief is in my shoes.

 

[Jim Dobson]

I've never worn gel inserts before. Do they stay put in your shoes? How long do they last for? What brand do you use?

 

[hermetic]

If you can fit it around your working day, try a perching stool too, being tall, I end up hunched over some machines, and my back really lets me know when I have forgotton to perch!
Phil
UK

 

[xalky]

I've never worn gel inserts before. Do they stay put in your shoes? How long do they last for? What brand do you use?

Oh yeah they'll stay put. The secret is trimming them to the correct size. Most boots have an insole insert, pull that one out and use it as a template for the gel sole to cut it to size. I have some gel inserts that I've used for 3 generations of boots. I go thru a set of boots per year easily. So, at least 2-3 yrs. I buy the Dr Schols inserts. Generally speaking the best ones are also the most expensive, but worth it.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have some pricier anti-fatigue mats but they were well worth the price for me. They're made by Wearwell & come in different grades, thicknesses, & textures. I liked the one I got for my lathe so much I had to get another for my mill when I got the mill. The one for my mill is an off the shelf size, the one for my lathe was custom cut to size. The edges are beveled so no trip hazard at all & makes cleaning easy. I just vacuum or sweep them.


(The 4 dimples are from my vacuum sitting on it)

This is what I think I am going for. I bought the HF cheapy ones just to try and between last night and today I could tell a difference. I may spend a few bucks more next week and get a few of these. This is more like what we have at work.

 

[zmotorsports]

This may sound odd but in our wood turning club we have a retired doctor that has the same ailment. He turned a series of beads and coves on wood shaft that I believe were spaced about 1/2" apart. Place it on the floor and roll your sore foot across it first thing in the morning for several minutes. He claimed there was significant relief right away and that after a few days the pain subsidies and he would use it to keep things going after.

I also like the mats but mine are simple ones from Woodcraft.

Dave

P.S. Mike, if you like i can make a wood one and bring it by early next week. I work not far from you.

Thanks for the offer Dave, I really appreciate it. My wife told me a little trick she heard about which sounds very similar. Rolling my foot over a golf ball when sitting. I thought it sounded a bit odd but holy crap it works. Feels much better.

I also went this evening and bought some Dr. Scholls gel inserts to try.

If these don't work Dave, I may take you up on your offer. That is very generous, thank you.

One of these days in the very near future I am going to make it a point to stop by and check out your shop.

Mike.

 

[CrossSlide]

This is my chip catcher. Never standing on the concrete or chips.