Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
For years I've had one of these - a woven fabric mat about 9" square
which I can place behind pipework which I'm soldering, to avoid setting fire to the underlying fabric of the building or whatever. As it is now very tatty, I included a replacement in a recent order from Screwfix. There were two to choose from: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A335589&ts=44202&id=20129 http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A335589&ts=44219&id=96228 costing 4 or 11 quid respectively - both are described as 'soldering mats'; the only obvious difference being that the expensive one is described as "professional quality". I ordered the cheapo one, since from the picture it looks just the same as my old one. But having unpacked it I find a label which states: "Do not place this soldering mat onto surfaces which can be damaged by heat, eg nylon carpets, painted surfaces. The intended purpose of using this soldering mat is to prevent small drops of solder coming into contact with other surfaces. It will not act as a heat barrier for much larger items such as nozzles from gas torches" So I'm puzzled. Is this warning for real, or is it just a disclaimer to stop me from suing when my house burns down?.... is my new mat likely to be just the same as the old one and can I carry on using it in the same way? Or is there a different mats which I should buy to use in this way? (I note that Screwfix's dearer mat is still described as a 'soldering mat' BTW. Thanks David |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
Lobster wrote:
I ordered the cheapo one, since from the picture it looks just the same as my old one. But having unpacked it I find a label which states: "Do not place this soldering mat onto surfaces which can be damaged by heat, eg nylon carpets, painted surfaces. The intended purpose of using this soldering mat is to prevent small drops of solder coming into contact with other surfaces. It will not act as a heat barrier for much larger items such as nozzles from gas torches" So I'm puzzled. Is this warning for real, or is it just a disclaimer to stop me from suing when my house burns down?.... is my new mat likely to be just the same as the old one and can I carry on using it in the same way? How does it compare in construction to the old one? It will almost certainly give some protection to the surrounding areas, but not being padded like the posh one you will still get a significant temperature rise behind it. I have managed to scorch things through the thin mats in the past. The padded ones do control the temperature better. Or is there a different mats which I should buy to use in this way? (I note that Screwfix's dearer mat is still described as a 'soldering mat' BTW. The page title on the cheap one describes it as a drip mat rather than a soldering mat. -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
On 14 Feb, 09:20, Lobster wrote:
the only obvious difference being The first is just a drip mat. It's proof against solder, but it's not going to insulate anything. If you're using an electric iron, then a drip mat is adequate. If you're using a gas flame or hot air, or if you're getting the workpiece hot enough that radiant heat is a problem, then you need the real thing. Mine is a couple of layers of Kevlar, with an outer layer of Nomex (worn-out fireproof boiler suit) on each side. The Kevlar is a loose weave, so not flame proof. |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
"Lobster" wrote in message ... For years I've had one of these - a woven fabric mat about 9" square which I can place behind pipework which I'm soldering, to avoid setting fire to the underlying fabric of the building or whatever. As it is now very tatty, I included a replacement in a recent order from Screwfix. There were two to choose from: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A335589&ts=44202&id=20129 http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A335589&ts=44219&id=96228 costing 4 or 11 quid respectively - both are described as 'soldering mats'; the only obvious difference being that the expensive one is described as "professional quality". I ordered the cheapo one, since from the picture it looks just the same as my old one. But having unpacked it I find a label which states: "Do not place this soldering mat onto surfaces which can be damaged by heat, eg nylon carpets, painted surfaces. The intended purpose of using this soldering mat is to prevent small drops of solder coming into contact with other surfaces. It will not act as a heat barrier for much larger items such as nozzles from gas torches" So I'm puzzled. Is this warning for real, or is it just a disclaimer to stop me from suing when my house burns down?.... is my new mat likely to be just the same as the old one and can I carry on using it in the same way? Or is there a different mats which I should buy to use in this way? (I note that Screwfix's dearer mat is still described as a 'soldering mat' BTW. Thanks David Personally dont use mats,I prefer a sheet of tin the stuff thats normally used to seal off the back of a gas fire. This can get behind the pipe even if the pipe is very close to a wall whereas the mat wont. ;-) |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
On Wed, 14 Feb 2007 09:20:01 +0000, Lobster wrote:
For years I've had one of these - a woven fabric mat about 9" square which I can place behind pipework which I'm soldering, to avoid setting fire to the underlying fabric of the building or whatever. As it is now very tatty, I included a replacement in a recent order from Screwfix. There were two to choose from: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A335589&ts=44202&id=20129 http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A335589&ts=44219&id=96228 costing 4 or 11 quid respectively - both are described as 'soldering mats'; the only obvious difference being that the expensive one is described as "professional quality". I ordered the cheapo one, since from the picture it looks just the same as my old one. But having unpacked it I find a label which states: "Do not place this soldering mat onto surfaces which can be damaged by heat, eg nylon carpets, painted surfaces. The intended purpose of using this soldering mat is to prevent small drops of solder coming into contact with other surfaces. It will not act as a heat barrier for much larger items such as nozzles from gas torches" So I'm puzzled. Is this warning for real, or is it just a disclaimer to stop me from suing when my house burns down?.... is my new mat likely to be just the same as the old one and can I carry on using it in the same way? Or is there a different mats which I should buy to use in this way? (I note that Screwfix's dearer mat is still described as a 'soldering mat' BTW. I have found no type of flexible matting which does the job, i.e. protect what's behind from a moderate propane torch for soldering and last more than a week. I used use some traditional mid C20 fire resistant sheeting I picked up from a site. Let's describe it as mineral fibre reinforced cement board (may the reader understand what I mean). Eventually the small pieces I had got broken/lost/excessively soiled. I have found that the modern equivalent is also a fibre reinforced cement board and is called Hardibacker it is intended to compete with Aqua-panel, offcuts of this are excellent. -- Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter. The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html Choosing a Boiler FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/BoilerChoice.html Gas Fitting Standards Docs he http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFittingStandards |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
Lobster wrote:
For years I've had one of these - a woven fabric mat about 9" square which I can place behind pipework which I'm soldering, to avoid setting fire to the underlying fabric of the building or whatever. SNIP Or is there a different mats which I should buy to use in this way? (I note that Screwfix's dearer mat is still described as a 'soldering mat' BTW. I bought the cheap one from Toolstation and it lasted for one job - bloody rubbish. It looks about the same as the Screwfix one. The Monument one is an entirely different piece of kit, about 5 times as thick and of much denser material. Looks like you could launch a cruise missile from it with no problem. I always use a wet cloth under the soldering mat as well. -- Dave The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk 01634 717930 07850 597257 |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
On 14 Feb, 22:10, Huge wrote:
BTW, Nomex and Kevlar are very closely related. I've never really understood the distinction. Chemically they're quite similar, yet mechanically they're significantly different. Kevlar has bulk strength that Nomex doesn't (this is fairly obvious from the simple behaviour of the fibres), yet only Nomex is available as fine- weave fabrics where Kevlar isn't. Why is this? Why don't we have fine-weave Kevlars, and use them for everything? My Kevlar underwear is scratchy as hell, I can tell you! (US Navy aviator issue, genuine usenet-rated flameproof longjohns. Never enter talk.origins without them) |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
On 15 Feb 2007 17:56:12 GMT, Huge wrote:
Kevlar macromolecules are sterically hindered about the amide links between the aromatic rings, That's easy for you to say. -- Frank Erskine |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
In article ,
Frank Erskine wrote On 15 Feb 2007 17:56:12 GMT, Huge wrote: Kevlar macromolecules are sterically hindered about the amide links between the aromatic rings, That's easy for you to say. Who last had the can of uk.d-i.y screen cleaner. -- Tony Williams. |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
On 15 Feb, 17:56, Huge wrote:
The web page whose URL I gave explains. Kevlar macromolecules are sterically hindered about the amide links between the aromatic rings, whereas Nomex isn't. That affects the physical properties of the resultant fibres and hence the cloth they're made into. I understand the difference, I just don't understand why this means that there's no fine-fibre Kevlar and thus no thin soft Kevlar cloth. I suppose I ought to go and ask. Factory's only over the road... |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
On 2007-02-16 11:37:34 +0000, Huge said:
On 2007-02-16, Frank Erskine wrote: On 15 Feb 2007 17:56:12 GMT, Huge wrote: Kevlar macromolecules are sterically hindered about the amide links between the aromatic rings, That's easy for you to say. I was quite impressed, given that my degree is [tap, tap, tap] 32 years old. Ah but they were better in those days.... |
Flame-resistant protective mat for plumhing?
Andy Hall wrote:
On 2007-02-16 11:37:34 +0000, Huge said: On 2007-02-16, Frank Erskine wrote: On 15 Feb 2007 17:56:12 GMT, Huge wrote: Kevlar macromolecules are sterically hindered about the amide links between the aromatic rings, That's easy for you to say. I was quite impressed, given that my degree is [tap, tap, tap] 32 years old. Ah but they were better in those days.... You mean because they were in Fahrenheit. ;-) |
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