VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Mike Harrison

Those who have standing-height workstation desks: can anyone recommend a good standing (anti-fatigue) mat?

Thanks!
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Mike
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 9:17 am Post subject:

For ten bucks, you can get one of these at Harbor Freight.
www.harborfreight.com/anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-4-pc-61607.html
I think I bought one when it was on sale for $6 or $7 and figured I had nothing to lose, but it is surprisingly comfortable.

I understand floor mats intended for use in horse trailers are also pretty cheap and work quite well. If you have an Agway or Tractor Supply store near you, they have them too.

http://myagway.com/catalog/180711/stall-accessories

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rb-rubber-multi-mat-rolled-rubber-1-4-in-thick-sold-by-the-foot
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 9:31 am Post subject:

Thanks, Lee!

Fearful the foam mat would begin to compress over time, I'm liking the third option; the 1/4-inch rubber mat sold by the foot. I have a yoga mat (rubber), but it's too long for where I need to use it.

I think Door #3, Monty. Thanks!
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Mike
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DougVox · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 9:38 am Post subject:

Hi-tech (AKA expensive!) option: Topo

Review of Topo and some other mats here.
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 10:47 am Post subject:

Wow! Excellent, Doug.

I liked what I saw in their video and read on the page, but I've emailed them to ask whether the polyurethane (what the mats are made of) is a foam that may be liable to compress over time. I'll post their response here.

Thanks!
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Mike
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 11:00 am Post subject:

Topo's response (to whether the polyurethane is a foam that might compress over time):

"Topo is made of open-cell (as opposed to closed-cell) polyurethane foam. This means that on the microscopic level, instead of being a bunch of bubbles full of air, Topo’s foam is a bunch of broken bubbles with firmer walls. The typical “taking a set” behavior is most problematic with closed-cell foam, because they rely on trapped air for firmness - but over time, the bubbles “pop” and the trapped air escapes, leaving a dead, lifeless mat."

Topo doesn’t have that issue, because we don’t rely on trapped air for firmness."

I'm currently working out how to safely raise my workstation desk to a standing height but, in the meantime, I'll buy a Topo for where I stand to read copy.

My Chiropractor has been recommending for some time a short foot stool to put one foot on while standing and, after a period of time, shifting my weight and putting the other foot on it. The Topo is essentially the same idea but with more variation.
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Mike
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I have taken leave of my sensors.

DougVox · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 11:32 am Post subject:

Thanks for the follow-up Mike!

FWIW, here are some great standing desk options.

And here's another cool-looking standing mat.
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 11:48 am Post subject:

Thanks for the links. But the reason I'm wanting to raise my current desk (and not buy one) is because the current desk is more than just typing/writing space; it also has built-in rack spaces and an overbridge that supports my computer monitor and speakers:

http://www.middleatlantic.com/products/technical-furniture/studio-furniture/multidesk-video-series-economical-workstations/mdv-cnr1.aspx

Raising this desk will take some planning due not only to the shape but the weight: I need to be sure this thing will withstand being bumped into without falling off whatever support my friend and I come up with.
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Mike
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DougVox · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 12:04 pm Post subject:

Four of these bad boys?

Smile

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Rick Riley · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 12:29 pm Post subject:

I have this desk http://www.guitarcenter.com/Studio-RTA-Producer-Station-102460813-i1152466.gc

Took the wheels off and put it up on a combination of cement blocks and 2x4's to get it the right height as a standing workstation for me. I draped the blocks in black fabric in order to hide them under the desk.

It looks nice and I love the functionality of the desk. It holds a rack mounted computer, a dbx, ISDN unit, DAT, Power Conditioner, audio interface pre amp and mixer, plus two KRK VXT 4's and a 32 inch monitor. All with room to spare.
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Mike Harrison · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 12:42 pm Post subject:

Wow... they might've been a possibility, except that I need to raise the desk several inches higher than these will go. I'd also have to find a way to secure the steel tubular legs of the desk to the tops of these so they won't slide off.

But many thanks, Doug!
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:43 pm Post subject:

My cheapo Harbor Freight one has been fairly resilient so far. And at 4' x 4', it was too big for my booth, so I cut it down to size with a utility knife. Cut like buttah.
I was thinking, if it isn't soft enough, I'd just spring for another seven bucks, get a second one, and stick it on top of the first one, but so far that has been unnecessary.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:47 pm Post subject:

Mike Harrison · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:56 pm Post subject:

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 2:14 pm Post subject:

ok - depending on the inside diameter of your desk legs - 4 of these with the threaded rod reversed (coming up rather than down) to fit inside the desk legs with a perpendicular bolt through the desk legs as a "stop". a longer threaded rod can extend the height.
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