What to put under shop equipment?

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Tom
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I've wanted a hydraulic press for ever and finally bought the Harbor Freight 20-ton unit. Have a cool new project in mind. :) My garage has a nice porcelain floor, so I'm a bit hesitant to have it sit directly on the floor, since the bottom is all steel. The porcelain would probably be fine, but I'd rather not risk scratching it, etc. The footprint is ~28" x 28" -- I could do a piece of plywood, but would prefer something that looked nicer. Considered castors, but in earthquake country, I'd rather having it sitting stationary with a strap to the wall...

So, any suggestions on what to put under it?

HF Press.jpg
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P_Coastal
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3/4” Plywood dressed and painted.
Countersunk bolt heads (not to touch floor).
Appropriate wall bracket tying in to supplied stand.
First thing I visualize.
2023 Porsche 718 Cayman in Chalk
Thread:viewtopic.php?p=7560#p7560

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blueline
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Tom wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 5:52 pm I've wanted a hydraulic press for ever and finally bought the Harbor Freight 20-ton unit. Have a cool new project in mind. :) My garage has a nice porcelain floor, so I'm a bit hesitant to have it sit directly on the floor, since the bottom is all steel. The porcelain would probably be fine, but I'd rather not risk scratching it, etc. The footprint is ~28" x 28" -- I could do a piece of plywood, but would prefer something that looked nicer. Considered castors, but in earthquake country, I'd rather having it sitting stationary with a strap to the wall...

So, any suggestions on what to put under it?


HF Press.jpg
This is what you want - most definitely, especially for that beautiful garage you built. Engineered specifically for heavy equipment installations and the like. I've used it and it is extremely strong and durable. Looks good, insulates, will be vibration-free, etc. I imagine that you could put a device 10 times the weight (or more) of your new drill press and it would be fine. Plus, the company is in your neck of the woods. (CA)

https://www.rubbercal.com/rubber-floori ... r-mat.html

PS - they have a lot of other, similar products too.
Tim
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Tom
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blueline wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 7:56 pm
Tom wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 5:52 pm I've wanted a hydraulic press for ever and finally bought the Harbor Freight 20-ton unit. Have a cool new project in mind. :) My garage has a nice porcelain floor, so I'm a bit hesitant to have it sit directly on the floor, since the bottom is all steel. The porcelain would probably be fine, but I'd rather not risk scratching it, etc. The footprint is ~28" x 28" -- I could do a piece of plywood, but would prefer something that looked nicer. Considered castors, but in earthquake country, I'd rather having it sitting stationary with a strap to the wall...

So, any suggestions on what to put under it?


HF Press.jpg
This is what you want - most definitely, especially for that beautiful garage you built. Engineered specifically for heavy equipment installations and the like. I've used it and it is extremely strong and durable. Looks good, insulates, will be vibration-free, etc. I imagine that you could put a device 10 times the weight (or more) of your new drill press and it would be fine. Plus, the company is in your neck of the woods. (CA)

https://www.rubbercal.com/rubber-floori ... r-mat.html

PS - they have a lot of other, similar products too.
I like that. Can you cut it? I'd be inclined to get one bigger than I need so I can cut to the exact size I want. But if it doesn't cut well, I'd just pick the closest one....

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blueline
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Tom wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 8:07 pm
blueline wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 7:56 pm
Tom wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 5:52 pm I've wanted a hydraulic press for ever and finally bought the Harbor Freight 20-ton unit. Have a cool new project in mind. :) My garage has a nice porcelain floor, so I'm a bit hesitant to have it sit directly on the floor, since the bottom is all steel. The porcelain would probably be fine, but I'd rather not risk scratching it, etc. The footprint is ~28" x 28" -- I could do a piece of plywood, but would prefer something that looked nicer. Considered castors, but in earthquake country, I'd rather having it sitting stationary with a strap to the wall...

So, any suggestions on what to put under it?


HF Press.jpg
This is what you want - most definitely, especially for that beautiful garage you built. Engineered specifically for heavy equipment installations and the like. I've used it and it is extremely strong and durable. Looks good, insulates, will be vibration-free, etc. I imagine that you could put a device 10 times the weight (or more) of your new drill press and it would be fine. Plus, the company is in your neck of the woods. (CA)

https://www.rubbercal.com/rubber-floori ... r-mat.html

PS - they have a lot of other, similar products too.
I like that. Can you cut it? I'd be inclined to get one bigger than I need so I can cut to the exact size I want. But if it doesn't cut well, I'd just pick the closest one....


It can be cut but it's a bear. It'll take another pair of hands to help get it done properly and safely. We tried different tools and blades but we got it done. (We had many pieces and a lot of odd shaped cutting.) Probably a grinder cut-off or maybe a sawzall would be the quickest. Would need to rig something to support it safely while you cut.

I've probably over-exaggerated what it takes to cut the stuff, but nevertheless the product is immensely strong and very heavy. It's tough material.
Tim
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'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black
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blueline
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RubberCal's videos at the bottom of the Sharktooth webpage I attached earlier are kind of funny and odd, but they do show that their materials are pretty amazing. They're making other kinds of similar, useful products.

An interesting company too. Background: https://www.rubbercal.com/info/about/
Tim
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'24 Cayenne S - Algarve Blue Metallic
'21 718 Cayman GTS - Black
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'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black
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blueline
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@Tom

An oldie from late 2022. Revived.

I cut up a small piece of the Rubber Cal product I had several days ago and it reminded me of your quest to find something to put underneath your 20-ton hydraulic press. (The Carpokes "Way Back Machine" :) )
Tim
Current:
'26 911 Carrera S - PTS Verde British Racing Green
'24 Cayenne S - Algarve Blue Metallic
'21 718 Cayman GTS - Black
'22 911 Turbo S - Carmine Red
'21 718 Cayman GT4 - White
'11 GMC 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 - Black
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I'm a cheap ass, the press has 4 holes at all 4 corners at the bottom. I would just get 4 bolts, 8 washers, 8 nuts and 3D print a disc that fit on the bolt hex. It would also be adjustable.

Cheers
Engelbert
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Tom wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 5:52 pmSo, any suggestions on what to put under it?
Mount it on a nice piece of 3/4" plywood with flat head machine screws going from the bottom through the plywood into the angle iron and fasten with nuts. Extend the plywood size on each side to your choosing.

Then place it on 1/2" closed cell foam.

I did the same thing with my huge compressor that is in my basement and that I can hardly hear it running on the main floor. The closed cell foam sitting on concrete acts as a barrier to moisture (in my case) and as an insulator to low frequency noise.

https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-qd7cvr
Alex
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Go to your local Tractor Supply or similar feed/AG type store . They sell " stall mats " that are heavy rubber . I think they generally are 4 ' x 6 ' and about 3/4 " thick . It will protect your floor and be a little easier on your feet and are easy to clean up .

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