[Jewelry making - Article 00409] - [Orchid] Protecting Carpet under the workbench

[Rick Copeland]

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    I've written before on ways to protect carpet under a jewelers
    workbench and someone suggested using a hearth pad for wood burning
    stoves which I thought was a great idea.  This weekend I attended a
    couple local home and garden shows and talked with some of the stove
    representatives.  They showed me options of hearth pads with ceramic
    tile which were a bit pricey ($200-$500).  One vendor told me of a
    plain steel pad for around $200 but couldn't guarantee shipping as
    they are easily damaged in shipping unless shipped crated with a
    stove. 

    I was frustrated with the office type chair pad I was using because
    with my weight the casters of my chair sunk in and made it difficult
    to move around. So today I purchased a 4'x8', 1/4 inch thick, piece
    of birch plywood for $20 USD at Home Depot.  I covered the edges with
    duct tape (Home Depot sells duct tape in colors so I used yellow as a
    cautionary step).  I then secured the plywood to my carpeted floor
    with 1 1/2" wood screws every 12" along the edges.  Driving screws
    into carpet does no real damage as it's how I learned to fix squeaky
    floors in new homes back in my carpenter days.  Screwing the edge of
    the plywood down draws the wood down flush with the carpet so there
    is no edge to trip over. 

    I've very pleased with the solid surface I have now and can zoom
    between my bench and flat lapidary set up.  Although not a fire proof
    solution, it would take a rather large piece of hot metal to burn
    through. 

    Just another $.02 USD from the thrifty handyman. 

    Rick Copeland -- Silversmith rick.copeland AT Covad.net
    home.covad.net/~rcopeland Colorado Springs, Colorado


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