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I'd like to see what you've come up with for protective work surfaces for the the whole guitar when doing setup and for tops when brace shaping.

I currently go to the laundry pile & dig out a couple of towels which has to be less than ideal. I was thinking of making something with leather over foam, thinking that the leather might add a little grip?

Thanks,
Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I don't have a pic but I have always used a carpet with a towel on top. That way I can switch towels off like table cloths to keep a clean surface. Something with grip does sound interesting. And actually only jsut recently finding out what a troji is has peaked my interest as well.

I usually use towels - mostly because they can be washed. At one time I used a large router pad and have also used a gunsmithing pad but both would get small pieces of dirt, shavings, or whatever in them that could cause scratches.

I would also be interested in a better solution.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Right now Kevin, I use carpet samples that I get cheap at a local flea market. Some of these have non-slip backing on them, but I generally use with the carpet side up.

I also use carpet on my bench as well. I only use high quality dense plush carpet because it is usually much softer and more dense and doesn't mat down. You can almost always find cutoffs and remnants at carpet stores pretty cheap.

I also have a handful of bath towels that I use to cover areas I am not working on or use them as a prop by rolling them up to raise the front or back of a body to suite the work I am doing. I also keep a few pieces of that no slip padding stuff you put in kitchen drawers which I will sometimes lay down under the body to keep it from sliding around if I am am doing something aggressive. Anything more agressive then I use my workmate that I converted to a troji.

I have thought about coming up with a better solution like some soft leather but good quality carpet seems to do the trick and it is pretty cheap. Plus it is pretty easy to find when you want to replace it.

I went to the goodwill store and bought a nice black leather jacket and completely covered my workbench. Still use a Terry cloth towel for extra safety

Clean/new packing blanket for an entire guitar. I double it over to support the neck. I store it in a giant ziplock in between uses. Put a piece of 20 thou styrene between the top and the sandpaper on my dish for bracing. Tim

I use carpet scraps on my bench and bath towels too, though I find it less than desirable in the way they tend to pick up scraps as you use them. I have been thinking about trying some kind of thin foam, sort of like the stuff anti-fatigue mats are made from, but thinner so I can lay them right on top of a carved body for example and have it flex to follow the shape. I'm thinking that will help keep it in place while I'm mounting pickups so I can avoid dropping the legs of a pickup right into the face of my guitar, as I did on my most recent build.

It's a tough question. Seems like any kind of closed cell material can get sharp bits wedged into them, and may tear easily, while softer more fibrous things like blankets and towels can easily pick up shavings and splinters and bits of solder. Leather is interesting actually, maybe something felt backed?

I like the idea of leather with some kind of flexible backing.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

I use a 2x4 rug with a old bath towel over for after finish set up. On the finished top, I buy sheets of mat board that have flocking on one side, and the hardboard on the other. Stuff is tuff as nails and soft on the top. I cut out a body shape and cut out the bridge and F/B slot. Just tape them on with 3 or 4 pieces of blue tape and you are good to go.

Carpet here also.........with a towel if I'm dealing with something that needs special attention.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

I use an old T shirt. Not as chip grippy as a towel.

What I need is a way to keep chips from getting sucked underneath when hand planing cedar/redwood tops, because that needs a hard surface. One tiny fragment of wood can do a lot of damage

A second for packing blankets. I keep a half dozen or so around. They are cheap and durable.

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

i use the meshed rubber pads that go under the rugs. i fold them over a few times. i like them because they aren't slippery and the mesh lets bits of whatever fall through and not scratch the instrument.

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http://www.wideskyguitars.com
https://www.instagram.com/wide_sky_guitars/

I have a piece of 1/2" thick high density carpet padding covered with a bed liner pad like they use in hospitals and nursing homes. The carpet pad gives great cushion but can react with lacquers. The bed pads are easily changed and washed to make double sure no scratchy stuff remains in the bench. That is the front bench, back in the work room where things are dirtier I use carpet scraps and sweatshirts from the goodwill store.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Iv'e been using a bath towel but would like to come up with something better.

Carpet samples, and carpet underlay samples for nonskid.

Bob

I use carpet padding and closed cell foam for padded surfaces. I use melamine coated particleboard when I want a firm smooth surface that can be easily brushed clean. Corrugated cardboard provides a surface in between padded and firm. I like surfaces that are easily removable and renewable.

I 'borrowed' my wife's yoga mat and cut it to fit. I like the no slip characteristics.

Gotta watch for debris on it though, and keep it clean.

We at one time made this item for sale. We had no interest in 5 years so we quit making the item for sale. They were made from silicon rubber and cut with the laser for each guitar shape. We still use these in our shop and don't think you will find anything better for protection and thinness. Thickness was round 3/16".

(We do not have any interest or desire to make these, thought we might offer this as an alternative idea.)

Blessings,

Kevin

Thanks for all the replies.

The yoga mat & silicone rubber sheet are interesting alternatives.

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I've got a large roll of the rubberized mesh shelf liner that I bought at Costco for $10, and cut it up in any length that I need.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

I use this stuff.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-x-48-Router- ... 19d6b8bf72

Interesting. Are they actually saying you can just rout right on that pad without securing the work?

I wouldn't want to do it, but I suppose on a small piece like that the down pressure of the router plate "might" keep it in place. I'd be afraid it would end up in an unmentionable place and I would be on the floor doubled up in pain!

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Waddy

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