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

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 |
\================================================= ================/

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.

"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. ;-)

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

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