06-14-2012, 06:33 PM
I made a sandwich: 3/8" plywood on the bottom, a Sears workshop mat in the middle, and 1/4" plywood on top. This prevents swarf from becoming embedded in the mat.
Actually I simplified a bit. As both my lathe and mill are mounted on 4x4 timbers, I could afford to place 4 1x3 strips (strapping) under the sandwich, giving additional yield and spring to the upper surface (at the cost of 3/4" rise in height). The sandwich is screwed into the strips, holding the whole assembly together.
It's comfy and works for me ...
Actually I simplified a bit. As both my lathe and mill are mounted on 4x4 timbers, I could afford to place 4 1x3 strips (strapping) under the sandwich, giving additional yield and spring to the upper surface (at the cost of 3/4" rise in height). The sandwich is screwed into the strips, holding the whole assembly together.
It's comfy and works for me ...