horseplay

I'm in the process of building a new workbench and just have the top to find and put on. I have some 1/4" rubber stall matting and was considering using it between the bench frame and top to help with any vibration and noise reduction while tooling. Has anyone done this before or maybe done something similar?

Thanks for the info you'd found on chaps. My husband and I are avid riders and I've been experimenting with chap making. I've made chaps with anything from 3oz to 5oz leather. My tendancy would be to stay with a 5oz leather for everyday chaps that will take a beating but the 3oz upholstery leather works nicely for show style chaps. As far as riding in chaps...I currently ride in full length, zippered shotgun chap made of about 4 oz suede leather. (I didn't make these) I love the full length chaps for cooler days and tough trails. They've saved my legs many times from branches and brush. And along with a full length oiled jacket, I am toasty warm while riding in the rain or cold. Summers are not so great since they get super hot to ride in. So I'm in the process of making myself a nice pair of chinks for summertime riding.

THANKS! Really appreciate everyone's input. A Bear Maul it is!

I've been playing around for a couple years with leather sewing and tooling. Now I'm getting more serious and looking to upgrade some of my tools from the cheap Tandy ones. I currently have the yellow head Tandy mallet and looking to buy a higher end maul or mallet. Most of my tooling projects are smaller in size so I'm not spending all day tooling something but I do alot of hole and slot punching. I see there are several sizes and weights so I'm not sure which would be best if I'm only choosing one. And also would be best to go maul or mallet?