Gold's Gym Workout Floor Mats

[duckymcfeelgood]

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-6- ... t/11089966

I looked around and didn't see anything about this. Please direct me if Im wrong.

I've been doing some work with this. Trying to see what others have found out about using it to see if I can learn anything else about the stuff.

As far as I can tell, and from what the website mentions, its a super lite EVA foam, Im guessing around .2lbs/ft if my estimations are correct. Smells like * so I don't know about this odor free claim. Cuts smooth under most knives and seems to DAP on with no issue. I was hitting myself with it only two layers thick and it didn't seems to hurt. And me and a buddy sort of sparred/smacked each other with them and it felt pretty fine. I don't intend to stop there. Its all getting 2lb wraps.

I was wondering what other people have noticed if they've used the stuff. Any tear issues, separation concerns, breakdown speed, blah blah blah.... let me know.

[Black Cat]

I want more info on this foam too.

If it is good for what we do, I might start using it for constructing the "can" head and cap layers on my arrows. (my custom arrow design I need foam for is heavily based off of the Edhellen design) Then I'll use a good open cell foam for the striking surface. I remember reading on the boards about some stuff called "V90" recently.

I don't really have the budget to experiment with it though, so I'm not buying any unless it is confirmed to be a good foam under extended use.

[No'Vak]

I've seen some stuff on the dag boards where they used it, i'll try to find it can't remember what it was about though.

But aside from that, its harder than blue foam right? Probably a good box.

[Arrakis]

I hear it's a decent box foam.

[Isk]

+1 for use as box foam. I haven't used this exact foam, but similar and I've had good experience with it for the base layer. Definitely denser than a 2lb EVA. More like 4lb.

[The Bruce]

Harbor Freight also sells similar mats that make excellent, sturdy box foam.

[Black Cat]

I hear it's a decent box foam.

Sounds like this would be a good foam for arrows. I'll have to find a different foam to use for the second cap layer. (the cap layer the open-cell foam is applied to) But if this stuff is indeed a good or at least decent form of ~4# EVA, it'll work wonders for the foam "can" and the first cap layer. (the cap layer that goes over the top of the penny cap)

Anything I need to be concerned with while using a denser foam for these parts of the arrow? I only have experience building arrows with Edhellen kits.


My applied knowledge of arrow construction that I am using to design my own kits comes from disassembling the Edhellen-kit arrows I used back in the 2006 season. It was a long time ago, but I remember the unsettling findings all too well like it was yesterday I took the arrows apart. Suffice to say I will never use duct tape (of any grade) for the penny caps on my arrows again. I used Industrial grade duct tape and it took less than 2 years and only ~8 months of actual use for the tape to decompose to the point of being totally unsafe should the foam encasing it have failed. I'm just glad I quit using those arrows for Belegarth long before I ever got around to disassembling them.

I am using strapping/filament tape for the penny caps on all of my arrows this time. The stuff in particular I am using is Scotch #893. Judging by my online searches, it is quite pricey and I am lucky to already have a roll of it.

[duckymcfeelgood]

not to be that *, but no one cares about how you intent to use it.

If you use it and have actually good info to pass along, let me know. Im trying to get some field data on the stuff before I start suggesting its use. Like life, and tear resistance, and breakdown speed.

Has anyone figured out a good method for getting the molded texture off the one side? Besides slow methodical cutting. As far as I can tell, this is where my adhesion issues will come from and i know other people are going to want to get rid of it too.

[Solusar]

Dremmel.

[The Bruce]

I leave the texture on and just spray a heavy coat of adhesive on it. Seems to hold up just fine.

[bo1]

a disc or belt sander are amazign for foam shaping.

also, if it is 2 lbs eva, it will be a terrible box. if it is 3 lbs, it will probibly do ok, but give up the ghost after a while. if it is 4lbs, which is unlikely cause if i hit you with 4lbs nobody would last 2 hits, they it will hold up forever.

[duckymcfeelgood]

Chicken checked some out and said it was 4lb actually. I think he may have been a little on the high side.

[Richard le Gris]

Ducky - this is the stuff I use for the box fries on my swords and for the first layer on the face of my arrows. Before I got the router, I was using it for boxes under #2 MC and/or blue. I've been using it for about a year and a half, maybe longer. Those swords that survived two WPOs before flexing out at Byz Opener (3/8" hollow fiberglass rods with 1/8" thick walls) were made with that foam as the box. I've gone through one full pack of the dual-density (#4/#3) colored and grey puzzle mats and one full pack of the straight #3 gray. I prefer the ones with the more consistent texture, and tend to use a sander to even out that side. Band saw is the best for cutting it, but I have also used a 48" T-square and a sharp knife. Doesn't seem to tear as much as 2# eva but does seem like it would be susceptible to tape shear.

[GridPoet]

this stuff is pretty great... i just finished making a solid core-less shield out of it.... although i believe if you check some of the thrift shops you can find the same stuff for about half the price!

[timbarly]

Would working at a gymnastics club as a coach would be considered working at a social service organization? I want to apply for master in social work and they ask for some experience in working in a social service organization. I have worked at a gymnastics club as a coach for about 6 years and I was wondering if that would be considered as working in a social service organization. What do you guys think ?
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[Zuloo]

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-an ... 94635.html

is this the mat from harbor freight? i have been thinking of trying the box with the golds gym yoga mat, but i want to find this stuff instead

[Alric]

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-94635.html

is this the mat from harbor freight? i have been thinking of trying the box with the golds gym yoga mat, but i want to find this stuff instead

Yup, that stuff works.

[Atman]

All of the puzzle edge mats I have encountered seem to be the same type of foam, the trick is finding the ones without the heavily textured surface on one side. I have been using the harbor freight stuff for about a year now and I have never had issues with poor adhesion on the textured side despite never making any attempt at removing it.

[Zuloo]

cool guys, i just got the mat from walmart, gonna give it a try on the next sword i make, thanks for sharing your methods