Over at Rockler, they came out with a new super-sized version of their silicone project mat. The “project mat XL” is 23-1/2″ wide x 30-1/4″ long, which they say is ideal for standard-sized workbenches.
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The mat is easy to clean, since wet glue rinses off and dried glue peels off.
It’s also soft, and textured on the top so that it can trap debris that could otherwise scratch or dent your project.
There is a non-textured zone that serves as a small screw or fastener trap.
Since silicone is also heat-resistant, you can use this when working with hot glue guns as well.
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The XL project mats also feature interlocking ribs on the ends, face down on one size, and face up on the other. This means that you can create seamless connections for extending the protective matting across a larger work surface.
Lastly, it can also be used for other applications, not just glue-ups. Rockler adds that the mat also works great as a sanding pad, helping to protect your workpiece while also holding it in place.
And of course it could just be used as a reusable protective work mat, for the garage, workshop, or even the dining room table.
Price: $40
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Rockler’s smaller silicone project mat is normally $30, and is currently on sale for $20. It measures 15″ x 30″, which is a good size for smaller projects.
First Thoughts
The new XL mat nearly covers the entire depth of a 24″ workbench, and the interlocking design means you can cover as long of a workbench top as you need to, and without gaps or seams.
While there are some Rockler-designed products that don’t appeal to me, such as their pricey drawer organization system, the silicone mat works great, and their XL project mat looks to be a great idea. It seems to be reasonably priced, too.
Seems perfect!
P.S. Their silicone glueing accessories are also great. I bought several of these products, and they all work great!
fred
Some folks (like me) just use paper (butcher, Kraft, rosin, waxed etc.) to protect a benchtop during glue ups. I’ve seen idea for adding a roller at the bench end to make it easier:
https://www.familyhandyman.com/workshop/rosin-paper-workbench-cover/view-all/
But these Rocker pads are presumably reusable for a lifetime.
Nathan
40 dollars for a silicone mat seems spendy – but I haven’t priced out silicone mats. I have to imagine you could buy something plain jane for cheaper cost per unit area.
Otherwise I do like the idea.
and I do love their silicone glue stuff – best 3 dollars I spent on wood work material was their glue brush and tray combo.
Stuart
You could get a silicone baking mat. Or use disposable paper of some kind.
Kitchen silicone mats are cheaper, at least from the many straight-from-China brands on Amazon, but the ones I’ve seen are a lot smaller.
Rockler sometimes discounts their products, and so this mat might be less expensive in the future, either when there’s a coupon event, or perhaps periodically.
Per square inch, Rockler’s mat is pricey. But it’s also thicker then kitchen mats. It comes down to whether you can use the added functionality.
Two years down the road, will someone regret having purchased the Rockler mat? Would someone regret going with several kitchen mats to make up the same surface area?
Brian M
The Rockler mats are MUCH thicker(just saying it’s thicker like you did doesn’t really sell the value) than baking mats, my baking mats are probably 8-10 times thinner than the Rockler. I’ve had issues with the baking mats stretching and that means they’re no longer flat….it doesn’t seem to effect anything but I wouldn’t buy them for woodworking again. The Rockler mat should last forever as long as you don’t use it as a cutting mat.
MT_Noob
I wonder how well this would work for protecting a table when doing some electronics soldering.
Stuart
It should work okay, but even thought I have a smaller one, I bought myself a small silicone mat that’s meant for such purposes. It was $10 at Adafruit (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3536). I was worried about solder or flux getting into the textured area and not lifting up so easily. Even the smaller Rockler mat is unnecessarily big for soldering a lot of things. I suppose that there might be some tasks that require a very big soldering mat.
MT_Noob
I had previously tried a cheap smaller silicone mat from ebay, it was about the size of a mouse pad. I found that it was a little too small, so a larger mat might work for me. I tend to end up with stuff sprawling across kitchen table so a larger mat might help me organize the area a little better while working on projects on the kitchen table.
Greg
I picked up this a while back, looks to be about the same size as Stuart’s, but with a bit more organizational options.
https://www.amazon.com/Gary-ghost-Soldering-Insulation-Anti-Static/dp/B075K5L34B/
It is made of the finest chinese-ium, and it reminds you of it constantly. But, it’s not terrible, and does hold up well to solder.
MT_Noob
That one has potential. Thanks for the link.
I wonder why most of them are blue… is that the base color for silicone?
Brian M
Use some anti-static spray with them. Silicone mats don’t create static but they can be charged with static and a discharge will zap any static sensitive components like MOSFETs.
Jim Felt
I wonder about possible spilled solder damaging this particular silicone material.
Any hi temp spec’s offered by Rockler?
And maybe a dumb question (and I’ve already got a “butcher” paper paper roll dispenser available) but would this silicone resist overspray paint sticking?
Nathan
depending on the chemistry of the paint yes. IE most latex and some alkyd based paints should peel right off upon drying. (or wipe up I guess)
Not so sure about some oil based paints but in theory they should too. The basic idea here is that the silicone being non-reactive shouldn’t allow it to bond.
I say this however I’ll add I’m not a chemistry or material scientist.
Stuart
The problem with overspray is that there won’t be enough adhesion to be able to peel anything off. You *might* have success rinsing it off, but with the texture, that could also be a challenge.
In my opinion, adhesion wouldn’t be much of an issue, but physical retention probably will be.
Jim Felt
Interesting. Thanks all!
Is the back smooth? I wonder if that would be better as an occasional spray surface?
Framer joe
Thanks, I bought a couple through you. Look awesome. It should cover my sjoberg work table, just right. Picked up the small grey one also….
Redcastle
Started using paper and drop clothes and once I found a reasonably priced source of the mats normally used for cutting paper I acquired than in sizes from A0 to A6 and they work well for a variety of purposes.
I would be interested in these mats however by the time they get here if they do based on other Rockler products I have seen they will be a multiple in GBP of the USD price and it is becoming ever more difficult to access US sources as HMRC is becoming ever more arbitrary in duties it assigns.
John S
Never seen the kitchen silicone mats; that’s a great alternative. Just bought a pair, each 25″x17″ 1.4mm thick for total of $28. Have a huge number of glue-ups this week to try them out.
RKA
I’ve looked at the baking mats sold and kitchen supply stores but they have been too small. This is a perfect size and the fact that you can interlock them is terrific! I’ve been using 3/8” thick silicone trivets that are around 7”x7” for sanding. They work well but I’m often shuffling them around to support the work and I wonder how much they allow the work to move (negating the sanders efforts). And obviously they are useless for glue ups (for which I have relied on paper or cardboard). Next order with Rockler I’m tossing one or two of these in the cart!
Nathan
just looking at grainger – I’m sure you could find cheaper. Listing for 1/8 inch thick – silicone sheet 1ft x 3ft is 65 dollars and change. So this looks more reasonable.
few other places you can get blue silicone sheet – 5 ft x 3ft for 156 or so. cheaper the more you buy of course.
so the rockler price is a bit more attractive.
mike
While I’m sure Rockler’s version is nice, when you come down to it you just want a cheap big flat piece of silicone for glue-ups. If you’re doing soldering and other small tech work, search ebay for “silicone work mat” and you can see a lot of options. Some have grids and magnetic pockets for screws and some are just flat.