Drafting table pad

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
17,079
Anyone know a good/inexpensive source for those mats that go on drafting tables? I was given a free table (great for maps and drawing) but the mat has been abused and needs replacing.

-Bob
 
Those mats are pretty worthless. They lure people into using their drafting tables as cutting boards- which is a big no-no. If you're simply looking for a good underlayment surface, you can use a nice thick sheet of good paper, cut to the size of your desktop, and tape it down. I don't see any real advantage to using those expensive mats. I usually use Stonhenge as my underlayment, it has a perfect surface, not too hard, not too soft. Most pens work best with Stonehenge underneath what you're working on. If you're doing techincal drawing, good quality drafting tape will remove easily from with no damage. If you can find a piece the right size, I'd go with Stonehenge (I do).

Most art supply stores carry Stonehenge (it's a printmaking paper) and you should be able to get a big piece for $5 or so. If they don't carry the large-format Stonehenge, you can use large Arches or Rives instead. Although I would argue against cold-press, it's too soft. The bonus to using paper instead of a mat is that you can write notes, put reference marks, do calculations etc. on your desktop- and you can just flip it over when it gets too busy or dirty.
 
Those mats are pretty worthless.
Click to expand...
The wooden tabletop isn't so smooth; the table was from a middle school. :(

Now I'm not sure what the mat is called, or what type. It's a soft plasticy surface with a no-slip backing. It's sort-of like the cutting mats, but not as thick and doesn't have lines. It might be the stuff in Rughedge's link.

Thanks,
-Bob
 
Back in the days when engineering drawings were done by hand on drawing boards, I worked as draftsman while going through college and spent 1000s of hours over a drafting board. The tables always had a vinyl pad and it makes an excellent surface for drawing on. If you want the table to become a craft table where you cut, paste, etc. maybe the vinyl isn't the way to go. If you want to do some serious drawing, I highly recommend the vinyl.
 
What you want is an Uchida Cutting Mat.
Pearl Paint or A.I. Friedman carry them in various sizes.
Any major art supply store should have them.
They aint cheap, but the best usually isn't.
Here in the art studio we do alot of cutting and the last about 4-6 months.
For home use you would count in years.
The surface is dimpled so a glued bit of paper can be trimmed and not lose it's 'stick'.
The mats are self healing and don't dull your knife points.

I use the beat up ones from work on my workbench at home.

Good stuff.
 
I'm not recommending this vendor...don't know them...just picked their pics after Googling....
http://www.draftingsteals.com/catalog-drafting---drawing-equipment-vinyl-board-covers.html
but some pics of drafting table covering and the double sided tape that is a good bet to install it.
As a couple of posters have said in different ways, the drafting table cover should no more be used to cut on than a granite surface plate should be used to hammer on.
The cutting mat that a Graphic Artist like Ebbtide uses is completely different than the thin vinyl cover a drafteman (like FoldersForever was before becoming an Engineer) would use to draw on with pen and ink or drafting pencil.
I think I am reduntently posting again what has already been posted previously. (smile)
 
Yeah, I don't need a cutting board. Just looking for a smooth writing surface. I think that vinyl roll stuff is just the thing, and it's under $30 for the size I need.

"Borco" is the brand name printed on the pad I have; Vyco appears to be a different brand of the same stuff.

Anyone recommend a dealer? I've never ordered that kind of stuff before.

Thanks,
-Bob
 
I just realized that I don't use thick paper lying directly on top of a table. I use thick paper lying on top of a $100 X-acto self-healing cutting board. I'm just not a big fan of the Borco stuff. I've never seen a table with that on it that wasn't in horrible shape. Borco's not designed to be cut on, but for some reason they attract X-acto blades like nobody's business. I guarantee that within 5 minutes of putting fresh vinyl on your table, your wife or kids will be cutting on top of it. Also, thick, good quality paper gives a much better drawing surface than Borco, in my experience. But you do have to have a perfectly smooth surface to start with.
 
Back in the BC days (that's Before Computer ;) ) we used that vinyl table cover.
As moon sez they seem to attract razor cuts. You don't plan on it, but the drawing board is a good place for it and it's done.
It comes on a roll and has a good memory. You'll be fighting the curl for a while. Get some good double stick tape to keep it in line and don't be cheap with it :D
If you want a really low budget, write on only solution, get a sheet of illustration board.
Bainbridge 172 hot press finish.
Cheap replaceable and bright white.
Its a heavy, 1/16th (roughly) thick board that will be smooth and clean looking. They also make a double thick version, but that's not really necessary and a beast to trim to size.
The downside is that you'll be tempted to write on it and soon it'll look like a mens' room wall.....at least mine always did.

I'm sure you can find them all here.
http://pearlpaint.com/
They have been around for half of forever and are an institution on Canal St. in Manhattan.

Good luck
 
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