I’ve been fortunate to spend the last four days in my shop. The only problem is that with my concrete floor, my feet are taking a beating. What are the best boot inserts for this?
Steve
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Replies
What many folks do is put down a thick rubber pad in front of your workbench and one in front of your saw. Look at Sears, Woodcraft, etc.
I've gone this route because any boot insert that I've found thick enough to actually help doesn't leave room for my foot.
I've got mats down now. I'm going to get thicker ones though.
If your shop is reasonably heated, I'd go get a pair of running shoes at an athletics store. New Balance, Nike, Asics, etc... all make the most cushioned while still the lightest shoes on the planet, and they spend millions every year on research to make them even better. It's what I wear in the shop, and I don't even notice the concrete floor any more.
I put mats down across my whole shop floor. Was in heaven for about a week, then noticed strange new knee pains. Turns out my feet were staying planted on the soft floor as I turned or tried to pivot. Laid OSB down over the mats as a solution to that.be careful with those anti fatigue mats!http://woodsshop.com/
Did you have this problem with foam or rubber mats?
Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans.
"Life is not a success only journey." Dr. Phil
Jerry, they were the snap together foam mats, too soft it turned out. Like I said my feet were slightly sinking in. I bet if they were harder rubber mats I wouldn't have had the knee pain.
Edited 1/6/2009 9:19 am by JoeWood
Thanks Joe, I thought you were using the foam mats but was not sure. I have the heavy 3' x 3' rubber mats and no knee problems to report. Lowe's has the mats for $20 each. They are not cheap but well worth it for concrete floors.
Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans.
"Life is not a success only journey." Dr. Phil
my wife bought me a set of those and the dang things would slide after some sawdust would get on the floor when the shop would get cold (they stiffen up) I replaced them with the the soft rubber mats from woodcraft (caught them on sale buy one get one free), and they don't move.
To clarify I think she got mine from Sams so probably cheap, and If I could have done the whole floor not just in front of my tools, the slipping problem would have not been an issue. (heat would have been nice too)
Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Edited 1/6/2009 9:51 am by bones
Dr. Schops? ;-)
It may be that you need better arch support, or it might just be the cold. In the winter, I often wear a pair of hiking boots that have great arch support as well as insulating properties. In the summer, I often wear a pair of closed-toe Birkenstocks, the cork of which has now molded to my feet.
Here is another alternative to putting the inserts IN you boots.
http://www.chdist.com/facility-maintenance-products/anti-fatigue-mats-commercial-matting/d-1659-2414-455
Are these good and stable as you walk around and try to keep your fingers out of the saws?
Hey Monanaman, where are you? I am in Billings.Todd A. Clippinger~American Craftsman
http://www.amcraftsman.com
The floor in my basement shop is concrete covered with some 50 year old V/A tile. (Not very forgiving). I wear some cushioned "running" or "lifestyle" shoes, but the key to my comfort is SmartWool socks! You can get them in different thicknesses to suit you and the climate, but they really provide great comfort when I am standing on the shop floor for a long period of time. My favorites in Winter are the heavy or medium duty hiking socks. They really make a difference for me!
https://www.smartwool.com/default.cfm
Montanaman,Be a bit careful in diagnosing the problem. I did some Dri-core panels from HD that worked well. Then the Rockports, very comfortable, and finally the Smartwool type socks, problem solved...my feet are warm and cozy. However, the oil fired furnace sucks a lot of air...cold air..and I'm feeling it between the shins and hips. It's cozy from the waist up and with the feet comfortable ya figure everything's okay..then you feel the stiffness in the knees. I guess its time for leggings.
"I guess its time for leggings."
BG - This is going to sound a bit goofy, but you might want to consider silk long underwear from a place like L.L. Bean. I do a lot of backpacking, all of it in the winter, and this is the best stuff for keeping warm without feeling "bundled up" that I've found. It's far superior to the polypropylene stuff, which is way more bulky.
Also, most oil furnaces have a provision for routing outside air to the combustion chamber. Might be worth jury-rigging if it's not a simple snap-to fit.
dkellernc,Yes, I have heard great things about the silks but the price is quite high. Right now REI is having a 50% off sale so I may go look again. I'll check out LLBean also, thanks.
I also work on a concrete floor, wore good tennis shoes and thick socks but my feet ALWAYS hurt. And I knew it was the floor causing my foot pain because when I took a few days off work the pain in my feet would go away. One day I asked my mailman if his feet ever hurt (he walks hundreds of miles every week) and what kind of shoes was he wearing. He told me his feet never hurt and I should go to a store named Uniform Supply (Cleveland, OH) and ask to see the government approved shoes that are sold to post office workers. I did, bought a pair and I have never suffered from foot pain again. They were pricey, 120 bucks plus tax. But knowing what I know now and for what they did for my feet I would shell out double if I had to for another pair. I have been wearing them for 3 years and they seem indestructible. On the bottom of the shoe is the name Thorogood, made in America.
Sky,Those shoes look interesting, not too different (by looks anyway) from the Rockports and in the same price range. They do appear to have several suppliers in my area http://www.weinbrennerusa.com/dealerSearch.cfmThanks for the suggestion.
Yes, silk is great for warmth. You just don't want to tell your buddies you're wearing silk undies. ;-)
Indeed - particularly when you realize that they're derived from ladies' silk panty hose before the advent of synthetics. I suspect to cover that potential criticism, they come in dark navy blue. ;-)
Regarding the cost of these, btw - they last a very long time if given reasonable care. I threw out an old pair just before christmas that were 15 years old. Pretty sure I don't have any polypro from that vintage. They seem to fall apart after a few washings.
Can you run a cold air feed from the outside to the oil stove.
I discovered that the wood stove that was in my shop when I bought the house, had the provisions to install ducting for outside air. Running a cold air duct through the wall, made a big difference in how well the stove heats the shop.
Even if your stove doesn't have a built in system, it should be possible to construct ducting that would directly feed cold air to it.
Jigs,I do need to run a separate air feed line to the boiler, not only for the cold but to keep wood dust from the shop accumulating in the filter. Every time they service the boiler they mention this problem to me.
I do have a small window near by that would make a perfect candidate for a jerry rigged solution....just need to get my butt in gear.
I have been fortunate to spend the last 18 years in my shop, also with a concrete floor. As others have posted mats, correct shoes as DK stated all help and for me losing few pounds helped the most. I was around 250 lbs at 6' 2". Dropping 15 lbs really helped. If you are under weight, disregard the end of this post.
Tom
I'm 6'1", 255 lbs., and work on a concrete floor in my shop as well. I have anti-fatigue mats everywhere I work, and I also wear a good pair of comfortable "shop shoes" from Rockport.
Jeff
I spent quite a few years on a concrete floor (and a cold one in winter since I had to wait for the woodstove to warm the place up before I could take my coat off). I found a good pair of hiking boots to be comforatable in winter, and good quality walking/hiking shoes good in summer.
Verne
Steve,
6 mil plastic on the concrete, 2" x 4" sleepers 16" OC with styrofoam in between and ¾" plywood on top.
The problem with a concrete slab is that it acts like a heat sink - cold sink in this case, and it will never get warm from your heat source, unless ya have radiant heat. But that can be an expensive retrofit.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 1/6/2009 6:53 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Bob,
I have been thinking oif doing just what you suggested, but a contractor friend of mine said they put down 1" pink foam and 3/4" t&g plywood underlayment over that and screw it down with flatfead tapcons. He said that they draw a pattern around all the machines (stationary) and put plywood 3/4 + 1/4 under all the machines for stability. He said the foam makes a great cushion yet will not crush down under normal loads. He also said you do not need a vapor barrier with the continuous foam,but you can put one down if you feel it is necessary. I am really considering this approach after having my knee replaced two years ago. I always thought you needed sleepers too, but he said not with this new high density foams. What do you think?
Terry,
If it were me I'd go for it or do it myself. Sounds like he has done this more than once. Both my ankles have been busted and there's nothing like a cold floor to make me want to get out of the woodshop.
If this is basically your permanent shop the cost is not all that much really. I live in a cold climate and my woodshop is on the second floor so don't have to deal with concrete slabs and such.
I've spent some time in shops with concrete slabs covered as your contractor describes and there's a world of difference. I wear insulated workboots in cold weather but more to protect my feet/ankles than anything else.
Concrete slabs in cold weather climates act like cold sinks it seems to me. Also, the first time you drop a valued cutting tool on concrete I'll bet I'll hear you from Cow Hampsheeuh. :-)
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 1/9/2009 5:40 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
New Balance.
I use the mats designed for use in a horse stall to keep them from slipping on a concrete floor. They're harder than the box store mats. From the local farmer's co-op.
I wear a pair of well fitted, high quality work boots, with resilient soles, that are designed for working all day on concrete surfaces. I have boots from both Redwing, http://www.redwingshoes.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1015
and Danner http://www.danner.com/product/work+boots/plain+toe/workman+hot+plain+toe+work+boots+-+6%26quot-.do
that work well.
The soles are really good at absorbing the shocks form the hard concrete. They fit and support my foot, and provide excellent support to my ankles.
Others have posted good ideas. I would suggest that you try cork on the floor in the areas you work. Cork has very good sound and temperature insulating qualities and is reasonably priced. It my even save a dropped tool.
And then there are radiant heat foot pads. Not sure they would hold up to a dropped chisel though.
Hi Will,
More reasons why covering the floor makes sense to me. O'course if it aint a permanent setup then cost might prolly be an issue.
I always like 2-firs, 3-firs are even better,
P.S. you know 2-firs (two for the price of one). Kinda like havin a leaf blower!Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Now I know that this will create howls of derision, however....
I got a new pair of Crocs for Christmas and wandered into my shop the other morning to do just one small thing. When I came out 8 hours later, I realized that I was still in my Crocs, and that my feet didn't hurt. So, I've been wearing them everyday in the shop since Christmas - they sure look funny to my old eyes, but man - those ugly old things are sure comfortable. Plus, being a dense foam rubber, they are warm.
At $30 a pair, might be worth exploring - plus the grandkids think that I'm hip. :)
Mike D
Maybe you need a pair of Z-coil shoes. They are strange looking, expensive but I have heard they work.
http://www.zcoil.com/testimonials_results.cfm?StartRow=46&PageNum=10
Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans.
"Life is not a success only journey." Dr. Phil
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