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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    australia
    Posts
    0

    Default fire resistant mat - looking for

    I work with a torch (plumbers torch) and have just moved my work area into the downstairs area at home which is unfortunately carpeted. So, I am looking for a mat to put under my work bench that is heat & fire resistant. In many years of doing this type of work I have never dropped my torch but I figure it could happen... also, the more likely scenario is that I might drop red hot metal onto the floor. As I never have my torch going when I'm not at my bench I think I just need a surface that will buy me time if I need to put out a flame and which will also protect the carpet from getting damaged.

    I have been looking and looking but really don't know where to look. I have spent a lot of time on google and have seen that non-flammable mats for welding are extremely expensive and very small. But, I have seen BBQ mats on American websites - the most promising one this one from ebay:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Flame-Retardant-...hippingPayment

    These BBQ mats seem much more suitable because they are bigger and the price (in US) appears much more affordable. The only problem is I can't find Australian stores that sell them.

    Does anyone know somewhere that does sell them? Or, do you have another idea of a surface I could use? (I have used hardy-flex in the past but much too messy for carpet. Have thought of MDF but worried about if I spill alcohol borax mix that it will soak in and fuel any flame that starts.)

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    .
    Posts
    4,816

    Default

    What about a woollen mat?
    Its hard to burn as it just singes and stinks.

    Al

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Regional South Australia
    Age
    46
    Posts
    60

    Default

    What about ceramic tiles on a mdf base?
    Someone will probably come up with a better idea, but what about sitting a mdf board on the carpet, (maybe putting a cloth down first?) and gluing ceramic tiles on the Mdf?.
    I assume that if you grout the gaps between the tiles, it should be acid resistant, and oddments/ leftovers of tiles shouldnt be that hard to find.
    Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
    for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
    ....................... .......................

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    1,174

    Default

    what about hardy flex that has been painted with acrylic paint - that will stop the dust and protect the carpet too.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    30

    Default

    What about a woven fibreglass fire blanket?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Hallidays Point - the land of blackbutt and swamp mahogany
    Posts
    0

    Default

    I agree.

    A fire blanket is the way to go. Available all over the place - even Bunnings.
    "... it is better to succeed in originality than to fail in imitation" (Herman Melville's letters)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    0

    Default

    The only thing that will realy pass muster in a serious sence is "compressed flat sheet"
    It is like hardiflex or similar but much denser and thicker.
    It is used as a deck sheeting or flooring, and is the material of choice for building hearths for wood heaters.

    typicaly the thinnest is 10mm.
    It is hard heavy and definitely won't burn.
    it will support good loads & wont break up like the much softer and weaker wall panelings will.
    you would be wise to put some sort of edging on it as you might chip the edge and the edge can be quite hard & sharp.

    It comes in 1200 x 2400 sheets... last time I baught some it cost me over $120 a sheet.

    remember this stuff is heavy.... dont think you will bring it home on the roof racks of the corrola. Unless you are very fit & strong.... get a strong friend to help you lift it arround.

    cheers
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.

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