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11/20/2010 10:20:16 AM EDT
Any suggestions for a decent benchtop mat for cleaning firearms? Looking for something to put on top of a hard wood bench to absorb any shock in case something is dropped, keep oil off the wood, and help prevent items from rolling off. I tried searching around for a plain sheet of thin rubber but haven't found anything with a decent price.
There a lot of gun cleaning mats that seem to be nothing more then oversized mousepads. Looking for something a little more durable if possible.
Benchtop is only 24"x48", so as close as possible would be great.


Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
11/20/2010 10:31:40 AM EDT
[#1]
I just used the cheap alternative––––––a fluffy dark bath towel.
11/20/2010 10:35:51 AM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
I just used the cheap alternative––––––a fluffy dark bath towel.


This, Or if we are having a gun cleaning party, we put cheap/ old shower curtains on the floor.
11/20/2010 12:59:22 PM EDT
[#3]
I use old bed sheets. Fold them until they are the right size and thickness for absorbency and there you go.
11/21/2010 11:26:19 AM EDT
[#4]
I use an old rug.
11/21/2010 4:37:05 PM EDT
[#5]
OTIS make a nice mat. I picked on up and it does the trick well.

Here's the link to the product description http://www.otisgun.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=F98E9F27A57747E7A420FC15602E3A65. You can get them less expensively from online retails, just hunt around with Google.
11/21/2010 6:17:38 PM EDT
[#6]
Cabelas mat this is a nice mat
11/22/2010 5:37:37 AM EDT
[#7]
+1 on the old bath towels.  I have several light colored ones  that I can arrange about to handle any job.  Also use it as a surface for disassembly because parts won't roll around.  Every so often I run then through the washer with all the other cleaning rags from the house.
11/22/2010 5:46:06 AM EDT
[#8]
I use the 2 pieces of egg crate foam that my AK came sandwiched in. soaks up spilled oil/CLP, you can drop parts on it, and the divots in the egg crate make it easy to arrange parts without anything rolling away on you.
11/22/2010 10:09:28 AM EDT
[#9]
Bath towel for rifles and a wooden board for pistols that's about 15" x 20".  I got a bunch of bath towels from target for $1 each.

If you want some kind of rubber mat I would get a porch mat.
11/22/2010 3:52:34 PM EDT
[#10]
i use bath towels but would consider an automobile floor mat (a rubber aftermarket one).
11/22/2010 5:16:54 PM EDT
[#11]
I buy yoga mats at Wallyworld. They make excellent workbench covers and they are cheap.
11/26/2010 2:22:37 PM EDT
[#12]
I bought a cheepie garage floor oil mat at a local auto supply. It is vinyl backed and oil absorbing. Cut to fit and double sided carpet tape to keep it in place.
11/28/2010 8:29:12 AM EDT
[#13]
Just the cheap Tipton MidwayUSA mat works good. Personally, I don't like cleaning them so I always use old newspapers on the reloading bench. Crumple up the papers with the patches, etc all inside and toss it all.
11/28/2010 8:53:53 AM EDT
[#14]
http://gunmats.com/



I just ordered a couple from the NRA store



http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=SA%2021576-7
12/4/2010 6:11:23 PM EDT
[#15]
Go to your local supermarket. Buy a white nonslip pad or whatever it is. You'll never lose parts and your stuff won't slide around.
12/5/2010 5:40:24 AM EDT
[#16]
I bought some thin rubber mat at a home inprovement store. it can be used as thin flooring, tool drawer lining, benchtop cover, etc. I even put a section under the washer and dryer to quiet them down. It has a pseudo checkerplate fininsh to give it some texture and was cheap to boot. Came in a 6' width, 10 or 12 ft long.
12/5/2010 2:33:42 PM EDT
[#17]
i cut up a water heater box into 4 sections and have been using that for a while now.  when it absorbs oil/cleaners i set it out in the sun and it evaporates..

or

bath towels

12/7/2010 5:35:01 PM EDT
[#18]
I covered my work bench in the garage with tool box liner from Harbor Freight. About 1/8" thick and lays flat. If I need additional padding or to shore up a particular spot I use one of the many mouse pads I have made from 1/4" neoprene rubber.
12/9/2010 10:39:59 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
I just used the cheap alternative––––––a fluffy dark bath towel.


My towel is gping on 10 years old.....the best thing to use

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