I completed a project today, to construct a chair mat for my office. I previously had a cheap plastic one, which had been slowly developing an epic network of cracks since I bought it in December. Disinclined to spend $90 on a mat sturdy enough to survive the minimally-deep pile carpet in our house, I instead invested a total of about $40, and a few hours, laying Ikea's cheapest click-together laminate on a sheet of OSB. It weighs a ton, and is only minimally portable, but I now enjoy an attractive, friction-free chair mat.
The problem now is one of calibration. Totally accustomed to my chair's casters being sunk deep in the divots of a cheap mat, I can't adjust to the effects of greatly decreased friction. My besocked feet offer no assistance, since they slide across the floor almost as easily. If I can't reach out and get hold of my desk, inertia inevitably carries me right off the mat. Eventually, an edge molding will prevent this, but not until I can figure out how to best affix it.
The big bad do it yourselfer, no help or advice at lease from your truely talented big brother, Chris. Well, I guess I am proud of you anyway.
Posted by: Chris | 23 April 2008 at 22:12