Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > > Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for > Thanksgiving…but no > > > pad to protect the finish. > > Why not just placemats and trivets? > > E > My grandchildren – 4, 5, 6, 6, 8. 10 and 14 all are adorable. But their aim > is erratic and they spill (and/or drop) anything and everything. >Put them at the kids table 
. "No, you can’t sit here until you learn >how to keep your food ON your plate" .
Except that I always put my kids at th eproper table in the early years. The way for children to earn properly to eat at the table and use good manners is to have them eat amongst people who are doing the same (imho). >In my family, we never used tablemats, we just did as we did and wiped >up or dealt with the dents if there were any. The only time we used a >full tablecloth (that I can think of) was lobster night (aka Christmas), >where the table was covered in newspaper.
this works for a lot of tables. My family’s "dining table" as opposed to the one we eat regular day to day meals at is expensive, inherited wood that already has one tiny burn mark. I don’t want any burn marks or spills or dents. I could even be passed on to my kids. Kind of like the good china and silverware. I use it, but I also care for it properly. Now, if we were talking about the idea kitchen table and chairs, where barb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->cleanup and a lobster to boot! >E
Response:
This is getting out of hand. You would have to be a complete moron to put a serving platter or even a pot on a wood table without a trivet. I doubt any would be hot enough to "start a fire." I personally like only place mats and trivets when eating and would not use a tablecloth or pads. I like the looks of my oak table and can’t stand the look of any tablecloths or pads. A glass fits nicely on a placemat along with any dish, and we have kids. Reminds me of the people that used to use plastic seatcovers and leave the cellophane on their lampshades so the next guy can enjoy it new. My wife however, has other ideas… Rick
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If you don’t like the price don’t buy the product. If the cheapest > price you can find is too much, then do without. > Go buy a piece of plywood at Home Depot for $35 and stop whining.
Response:
>Personally, I have never understood the concept of buying something so >’good’ that you can’t afford to use it. I’ve even heard some folks >create entire rooms in their homes which they load up with the very >most expensive of decorating and furniture which they then never use >(except on rare occasions to impress guests).
At one time (as recently as my childhood) there was the idea of "Sunday Best" , though that term is a little misleading. But most people seemed to think that there were occasions that merited special treatment, times when circumstances seemed to call for something other than the same old day by day behavior and surroundings by way of marking the event. There was also a sense that it was good to have more than one way of meeting the world, that having access to more than one "life-style" did a body good, that even the meanest ditch digger or laborer was also a lady or a gentleman, able to appreciate some of the finer things the world had to offer. You didn’t pull out the best china to "impress" guests, you did it because you wanted to be a gracious host(ess), to show that you valued your guests enough to put out some extra effort. Ah, well, the country is richer now, and our everyday lifestyles reflect that in a lot of ways. But it’s nice to hear that some people still honor the old traditions.
Response:
>I assume it’s fairly common for middle-class people to have the luxury of >two places to eat in the house–something in the kitchen that can stand up >to normal, day-to-day use and a second table/dining room/eating area that’s >used mostly for company and/or special occasions.
Less common than you might think, actually. I’ve seen lots of articles in the paper in the past few years about how many people use dining rooms so infrequently nowadays that they don’t want the wasted space in their houses. Many new homes nowadays are built without a dining room separate from the kitchen. But I suppose this is an entirely different discussion than the one we’re having . >But the table pad thing is a good example >of a manufactured need. They don’t do anything that a sheet of plastic or a >cheap vinyl tablecloth combined with an old bedsheet wouldn’t accomplish. I
First of all, neither "a sheet of plastic" nor "a cheap vinyl tablecloth combined with an old bedsheet" will protect a table from burns if hot pots or serving platters are placed on it. In fact, plastic and vinyl could melt and stick to the table if something hot is placed on them. On the other hand, I can put piping-hot food in one of our silver serving platters and put it on our pad-covered table without worrying. I can even take a move a pot directly from our warming tray (not as hot as the stove, but pretty hot) to our pad-covered table. Second, if the pad is cut to fit the shape of the table, the fact that it’s there is pretty much completely undetectable when it’s covered with a tablecloth. On the other hand, either a plastic sheet and a vinyl tablecloth would be pretty obvious.
Response:
> Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for Thanksgiving…but no > pad to protect the finish.
Why not just placemats and trivets? E — I like .spaghetti but not in my email. Member, IrelandOffline Users bringing affordable Net access to Ireland http://www.irelandoffline.com
Response:
> Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for
Thanksgiving…but no > pad to protect the finish. > Why not just placemats and trivets? > E
My grandchildren – 4, 5, 6, 6, 8. 10 and 14 all are adorable. But their aim is erratic and they spill (and/or drop) anything and everything.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for Thanksgiving…but no > pad to protect the finish. > Emailed five different suppliers found on the web. > None were manufacturers. They all take orders, mark > them up and pass along to a factory that ships to you. > Cheapest price, including shipping, for a 84-40-inch > four-piece pad was $165. Non could promise delivery > by Christmas, yes Christmas, not Thanksgiving! > Trotted over to Home Depot and bought two sheets > of rigid foam insulation board…that stuff that goes in > the walls beneath the sheetrock. Comes in 96×48" > sheets and is easily cut to size with a box cutter or > pocket knife. Can even mark and trim the corners > to match those of the table. Come in 1/2" or 3/4" > thicknesses. Eeither $5.16 a sheet or $6.74. We > took the 3/4" amd expect it will carry us through > Easter dinner. > Barbara & Gene
Someone mentioned that stuff is meltable and/or flammable. Might I suggest you head over to "House of Fabrics" or whatever fabric store you have near you (Even Wal-Mart has fabrics) and pick up some felt to put between the insulation and your tablecloth. Another thought: Perhaps you could put an old sheet, folded in two, UNDER the nice fabric tablecloth you have, and protect your table that way. I’d be scared to use that insulation stuff on the table, if it could melt or catch fire. — Sheryl — Beware the toes you step on today. They may be attached to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow.
Response:
My in-laws used to use this thin quilting under the tablecover, like you find on the top of a mattress cover. Rick
> Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for
Thanksgiving…but no – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> pad to protect the finish. > Emailed five different suppliers found on the web. > None were manufacturers. They all take orders, mark > them up and pass along to a factory that ships to you. > Cheapest price, including shipping, for a 84-40-inch > four-piece pad was $165. Non could promise delivery > by Christmas, yes Christmas, not Thanksgiving! > Trotted over to Home Depot and bought two sheets > of rigid foam insulation board…that stuff that goes in > the walls beneath the sheetrock. Comes in 96×48" > sheets and is easily cut to size with a box cutter or > pocket knife. Can even mark and trim the corners > to match those of the table. Come in 1/2" or 3/4" > thicknesses. Eeither $5.16 a sheet or $6.74. We > took the 3/4" amd expect it will carry us through > Easter dinner. > Barbara & Gene > Someone mentioned that stuff is meltable and/or flammable. Might I > suggest you head over to "House of Fabrics" or whatever fabric store you > have near you (Even Wal-Mart has fabrics) and pick up some felt to put > between the insulation and your tablecloth. > Another thought: Perhaps you could put an old sheet, folded in two, > UNDER the nice fabric tablecloth you have, and protect your table that > way. > I’d be scared to use that insulation stuff on the table, if it could > melt or catch fire. > — > Sheryl > — > Beware the toes you step on today. > They may be attached to the ass you > have to kiss tomorrow.
Response:
what the heck is a table pad?
> Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for
Thanksgiving…but no – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> pad to protect the finish. > Why not just placemats and trivets? > E > — > I like .spaghetti but not in my email. > Member, IrelandOffline > Users bringing affordable Net access to Ireland > http://www.irelandoffline.com
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for Thanksgiving…but no > pad to protect the finish. > Emailed five different suppliers found on the web. > None were manufacturers. They all take orders, mark > them up and pass along to a factory that ships to you. > Cheapest price, including shipping, for a 84-40-inch > four-piece pad was $165. Non could promise delivery > by Christmas, yes Christmas, not Thanksgiving! > Trotted over to Home Depot and bought two sheets > of rigid foam insulation board…that stuff that goes in > the walls beneath the sheetrock. Comes in 96×48" > sheets and is easily cut to size with a box cutter or > pocket knife. Can even mark and trim the corners > to match those of the table. Come in 1/2" or 3/4" > thicknesses. Eeither $5.16 a sheet or $6.74. We > took the 3/4" amd expect it will carry us through > Easter dinner. > Barbara & Gene > Someone mentioned that stuff is meltable and/or flammable. Might I > suggest you head over to "House of Fabrics" or whatever fabric store you > have near you (Even Wal-Mart has fabrics) and pick up some felt to put > between the insulation and your tablecloth. > Another thought: Perhaps you could put an old sheet, folded in two, > UNDER the nice fabric tablecloth you have, and protect your table that > way. > I’d be scared to use that insulation stuff on the table, if it could > melt or catch fire. > — > Sheryl
As it is a building material, it may well be less flammable than felt, which is highly flammable. I can’t think that very many people actually set fire to tablecloths and pads, but perhaps they do.
Response:
> what the heck is a table pad?
… Typically a combination of felt, cardboard and ‘wood grain’ shelf paper that is laid on top of expensive wood tables. Said tables are expensive enough that people are afraid to use them otherwise. Most folks leave the pads on the tables at all times except for very rare occasions when they feel they need to impress someone. 99% of the time they end up staring at tacky printed ‘wood grain’ on the top of their table pads and never see the table itself. That or they get fancy table cloths and leave them on all the time. They know there is a good table under there somewhere, even if they hardly ever see it. Personally, I have never understood the concept of buying something so ‘good’ that you can’t afford to use it. I’ve even heard some folks create entire rooms in their homes which they load up with the very most expensive of decorating and furniture which they then never use (except on rare occasions to impress guests). Anthony
Response:
If you don’t like the price don’t buy the product. If the cheapest price you can find is too much, then do without. Go buy a piece of plywood at Home Depot for $35 and stop whining.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> what the heck is a table pad? > … > Typically a combination of felt, cardboard and ‘wood grain’ shelf paper > that is laid on top of expensive wood tables. Said tables are expensive > enough that people are afraid to use them otherwise. Most folks leave > the pads on the tables at all times except for very rare occasions when > they feel they need to impress someone. 99% of the time they end up > staring at tacky printed ‘wood grain’ on the top of their table pads > and never see the table itself. That or they get fancy table cloths and > leave them on all the time. They know there is a good table under there > somewhere, even if they hardly ever see it. > Personally, I have never understood the concept of buying something so > ‘good’ that you can’t afford to use it. I’ve even heard some folks > create entire rooms in their homes which they load up with the very > most expensive of decorating and furniture which they then never use > (except on rare occasions to impress guests).
I assume it’s fairly common for middle-class people to have the luxury of two places to eat in the house–something in the kitchen that can stand up to normal, day-to-day use and a second table/dining room/eating area that’s used mostly for company and/or special occasions. In the case of the latter I can certainly understand wanting to maintain the table in good condition, especially so the wood can stay uncovered during most of the time when it’s not in use. Of course it’s preferable to avoid subjecting the top of a nice table that’s used mostly for special occasions to rings from water glasses, burns from hot dishes, cuts, scratches, etc. But the table pad thing is a good example of a manufactured need. They don’t do anything that a sheet of plastic or a cheap vinyl tablecloth combined with an old bedsheet wouldn’t accomplish. I use placemats, trivets and coasters to protect mine, but I’m not feeding kids there, which I believe was the OP’s main concern. I wonder if they still make pads like my mom had. It was a quilted, padded plastic thing which I don’t think would cost nearly as much as the type of pad being discussed on this thread.
Response:
> > > Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for > Thanksgiving…but no > > pad to protect the finish. > Why not just placemats and trivets? > E > My grandchildren – 4, 5, 6, 6, 8. 10 and 14 all are adorable. But their aim > is erratic and they spill (and/or drop) anything and everything.
Put them at the kids table . "No, you can’t sit here until you learn how to keep your food ON your plate" . In my family, we never used tablemats, we just did as we did and wiped up or dealt with the dents if there were any. The only time we used a full tablecloth (that I can think of) was lobster night (aka Christmas), where the table was covered in newspaper. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…….easy cleanup and a lobster to boot! E — I like .spaghetti but not in my email. Member, IrelandOffline Users bringing affordable Net access to Ireland http://www.irelandoffline.com
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> what the heck is a table pad? > … > Typically a combination of felt, cardboard and ‘wood grain’ shelf paper > that is laid on top of expensive wood tables. Said tables are expensive > enough that people are afraid to use them otherwise. Most folks leave > the pads on the tables at all times except for very rare occasions when > they feel they need to impress someone. 99% of the time they end up > staring at tacky printed ‘wood grain’ on the top of their table pads > and never see the table itself. That or they get fancy table cloths and > leave them on all the time. They know there is a good table under there > somewhere, even if they hardly ever see it. > Personally, I have never understood the concept of buying something so > ‘good’ that you can’t afford to use it. I’ve even heard some folks > create entire rooms in their homes which they load up with the very > most expensive of decorating and furniture which they then never use > (except on rare occasions to impress guests). > Anthony
Ah well… the way I was brought up, the pad and the tablecloth are only put on the table when the table is in use for meals. No one in their right mind would want a beautiful table top to get water rings on it or heat marks. When no one is eating at table, the pad and cloth should come off. Otherwise it starts to look like a cheap restaurant. Still treat our dining table this way even though it is cheap painted wood.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> what the heck is a table pad? >… >Typically a combination of felt, cardboard and ‘wood grain’ shelf paper >that is laid on top of expensive wood tables. Said tables are expensive >enough that people are afraid to use them otherwise. Most folks leave >the pads on the tables at all times except for very rare occasions when >they feel they need to impress someone. 99% of the time they end up >staring at tacky printed ‘wood grain’ on the top of their table pads >and never see the table itself. That or they get fancy table cloths and >leave them on all the time. They know there is a good table under there >somewhere, even if they hardly ever see it. >Personally, I have never understood the concept of buying something so >’good’ that you can’t afford to use it. I’ve even heard some folks >create entire rooms in their homes which they load up with the very >most expensive of decorating and furniture which they then never use >(except on rare occasions to impress guests).
Well, in my experience, the table is left uncovered with flowers or a centerpiece and looking nice except for the occasions when it is used. WE then pad and put a cloth on ours to protect it from drink rings, spills and other detrimental stuff. In our case th emat came with the table. barb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Anthony
Response:
Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for Thanksgiving…but no pad to protect the finish. Emailed five different suppliers found on the web. None were manufacturers. They all take orders, mark them up and pass along to a factory that ships to you. Cheapest price, including shipping, for a 84-40-inch four-piece pad was $165. Non could promise delivery by Christmas, yes Christmas, not Thanksgiving! Trotted over to Home Depot and bought two sheets of rigid foam insulation board…that stuff that goes in the walls beneath the sheetrock. Comes in 96×48" sheets and is easily cut to size with a box cutter or pocket knife. Can even mark and trim the corners to match those of the table. Come in 1/2" or 3/4" thicknesses. Eeither $5.16 a sheet or $6.74. We took the 3/4" amd expect it will carry us through Easter dinner. Barbara & Gene
Response:
Did you try www.tablepads.com ? We bought a table pad from them and are very happy. We went deluxe — they have different qualities and features at different price points. BTW — be careful with your rigid foam insulation — it will melt if a hot enough item is placed on it. Ross
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for Thanksgiving…but no > pad to protect the finish.
Response:
FRUGAL: "economical, temporate, pertaining to produce (fruits of the earth) 1. economical, not spending freely or unnecessarily; saving; sparing; not profuse, prodigal or lavish." – Webster The price quoted by Factory Direct (aka tablepads.com) for the budget model was $243.95. Frugal=$243.95 vs. $14.00
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Did you try www.tablepads.com ? > We bought a table pad from them and are very happy. We went deluxe — they > have different qualities and features at different price points. > BTW — be careful with your rigid foam insulation — it will melt if a hot > enough item is placed on it. > Ross > Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for Thanksgiving…but > no > pad to protect the finish.
Response:
>FRUGAL: "economical, temporate, pertaining to produce (fruits of the earth) >1. economical, not spending freely or unnecessarily; saving; sparing; not >profuse, prodigal or lavish." – Webster >The price quoted by Factory Direct (aka tablepads.com) for the budget model >was $243.95. >Frugal=$243.95 vs. $14.00
Having to call the fire department and your insurance adjusters because your "frugal" table pad set fire to your living room and burned down your house: Priceless. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Did you try www.tablepads.com ? > We bought a table pad from them and are very happy. We went deluxe — >they > have different qualities and features at different price points. > BTW — be careful with your rigid foam insulation — it will melt if a hot > enough item is placed on it. > Ross > > Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for >Thanksgiving…but > no > > pad to protect the finish.
Response:
Whatever. Felt. Foam doesn’t last.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->FRUGAL: "economical, temporate, pertaining to produce (fruits of the earth) >1. economical, not spending freely or unnecessarily; saving; sparing; not >profuse, prodigal or lavish." – Webster >The price quoted by Factory Direct (aka tablepads.com) for the budget model >was $243.95. >Frugal=$243.95 vs. $14.00 > Having to call the fire department and your insurance adjusters > because your "frugal" table pad set fire to your living room and > burned down your house: Priceless.
ROTFL many times over. What makes you think that ordinary table pads are in any way ***not*** flammable?? They aren’t made with Nomex. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Did you try www.tablepads.com ? >> We bought a table pad from them and are very happy. We went deluxe — >they >> have different qualities and features at different price points. >> BTW — be careful with your rigid foam insulation — it will melt if a hot >> enough item is placed on it. >> Ross >> > Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for >Thanksgiving…but >> no >> > pad to protect the finish.
Response:
>FRUGAL:
CHEAP, in your case. Guess the only way you’d get a nice table like that was to be given one, or you’d be eating off of an old door set on two trash cans. Why pay for a table when you can make one for so much less. Guess in your book whoever bought that table to begin with was stooooopid and not frugal because it cost more than $1.98? Geez, you got the table for free, how about at least getting a nice pad for it if you are into pads (does your couch have a plastic slipcover?) Don’t be so proud, IMHO you are on the same level as those who leave a religious tract on the table instead of a tip for the waitress, and then are prous both of how they saved her soul AND saved enough $ for a vacation…. -v.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for Thanksgiving…but no >pad to protect the finish. >Emailed five different suppliers found on the web. >None were manufacturers. They all take orders, mark >them up and pass along to a factory that ships to you. >Cheapest price, including shipping, for a 84-40-inch >four-piece pad was $165. Non could promise delivery >by Christmas, yes Christmas, not Thanksgiving! >Trotted over to Home Depot and bought two sheets >of rigid foam insulation board…that stuff that goes in >the walls beneath the sheetrock. Comes in 96×48" >sheets and is easily cut to size with a box cutter or >pocket knife. Can even mark and trim the corners >to match those of the table. Come in 1/2" or 3/4" >thicknesses. Eeither $5.16 a sheet or $6.74. We >took the 3/4" amd expect it will carry us through >Easter dinner. >Barbara & Gene
W embarked on a similar project several years ago…used several mil surplus foam sleeping mats cut to size then encased them in an old Garage saled sheet on the bottom and viynl tablecloth on the top. two retangular pockets for the main body of the table and two half circles for either ends. Folds nicely for storage and under $15.00 total to construct…been working nicley for us. Flods to store, top wipes clean easily, no problems w/ melting or burning…YMMV…Hag k My golden rules 1. If it dosnt taste good or get you laid dont do it (apply your own criteria) 2. If it smells bad dont eat it. 3. When life hands you shit Grow roses! Can the Spam to reply
Response:
Rigid foam will get ruts from heavy dishes and handling. That slick-feeling sheet foam electronics is packed in would work better. Dumpster or local shipping supply house will carry it. aem sends…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Inherited this beautiful dining table just in time for Thanksgiving…but no > pad to protect the finish. > Emailed five different suppliers found on the web. > None were manufacturers. They all take orders, mark > them up and pass along to a factory that ships to you. > Cheapest price, including shipping, for a 84-40-inch > four-piece pad was $165. Non could promise delivery > by Christmas, yes Christmas, not Thanksgiving! > Trotted over to Home Depot and bought two sheets > of rigid foam insulation board…that stuff that goes in > the walls beneath the sheetrock. Comes in 96×48" > sheets and is easily cut to size with a box cutter or > pocket knife. Can even mark and trim the corners > to match those of the table. Come in 1/2" or 3/4" > thicknesses. Eeither $5.16 a sheet or $6.74. We > took the 3/4" amd expect it will carry us through > Easter dinner. > Barbara & Gene
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