• Beware of Counterfeit Woodturning Tools (click here for details)
  • Johnathan Silwones is starting a new AAW chapter, Southern Alleghenies Woodturners, in Johnstown, PA. (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to Keven Jesequel for "Big Leaf Maple" being selected as Turning of the Week for April 15, 2024 (click here for details)
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

Anti Fatigue Mat

odie

TOTW Team
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
7,113
Likes
9,727
Location
Panning for Montana gold, with Betsy, the mule!
Joined
Oct 29, 2014
Messages
469
Likes
90
Location
nj
Crepe Soled work boots

That's it. Get a pair of boots or shoes with crepe soles and you won't need any mats.
 

odie

TOTW Team
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
7,113
Likes
9,727
Location
Panning for Montana gold, with Betsy, the mule!
That's it. Get a pair of boots or shoes with crepe soles and you won't need any mats.

.....and, those of us who are using the gelpro, or similar mats, will quietly give a little snicker at comments like this!.....especially for us older guys who spend some serious time at the lathe.

ooc
 
Last edited:
Joined
Oct 29, 2014
Messages
469
Likes
90
Location
nj
.....and, those of us who are using the gelpro, or similar mats, will quietly give a little snicker at comments like this!.....especially for us older guys who spend some serious time at the lathe.

ooc


LOL Define older, define serious time?
I'm pushing 60 in a couple months and before post graduate school earned my living for almost 15 years as a tool & die maker on concrete floors. I loved me my crepe soles. Now I just wear sneakers and leave the saw shavings where they lie.

But different people have different skeletal issues: My knees and feet are pretty tough.
 
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
2,976
Likes
1,939
Location
Brandon, MS
LOL Define older, define serious time?
I'm pushing 60 in a couple months and before post graduate school earned my living for almost 15 years as a tool & die maker on concrete floors. I loved me my crepe soles. Now I just wear sneakers and leave the saw shavings where they lie.

But different people have different skeletal issues: My knees and feet are pretty tough.

Just a FYI I have been on my feet from 8 to 14 hours as day as a Pharmacist and until I was 64 did not have significant problems that changing type of shoes used would not alleviate . Then it got worse. So just protect yourself and wait it will catch up.
In other words do all you can to protect yourself because feet and knees do not get a second chance.......even with replacement.
 

Bill Boehme

Administrator
Staff member
Beta Tester
TOTW Team
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Messages
12,895
Likes
5,179
Location
Dalworthington Gardens, TX
Website
pbase.com
What Gerald says!

A machine can be overhauled to make it like new. We can be repaired (sort of) ... so that we don't have to limp along or, at least, not limp as much.

I had plantar fasciitis a few years ago and support running shoes were recommended by the physical therapist. I wound up getting these and they have been wonderful.

However, a really good mat would add immensely to comfort and wear and tear on aging bones.

Unfortunately, healthy back, knees, and feet are taken for granted until they aren't healthy.
 

odie

TOTW Team
Joined
Dec 22, 2006
Messages
7,113
Likes
9,727
Location
Panning for Montana gold, with Betsy, the mule!
I don't think it's about age, as in a measurement of time......but, how any individual withstands the test of time. Some will do better than others. I'm 65......there are others who are older who are doing better than I am, and the reverse is true for some that are younger than I am. I started using cheap interlocking foam mats about ten years ago, and I noticed the benefits immediately. I bought the gelpro several years ago, and it's been wonderful for maintaining my stamina at the lathe. I'm still using the cheaper mats at the work bench and in front of the grinder.

It's anybody's guess as to how I, or anyone else might have fared without using a mat, but my best guess is that I would be worse off than I am now, if I hadn't been using a mat for the past decade. I feel I would not be able to spend long hours in the shop without mats.......about 7 hours yesterday, before I had to call it quits...... but there are days (week-end) when I've spend as much as 14-16 hours in the shop with only meal breaks. I just don't think those longer days would be possible without the mats.

ooc
 
Back
Top