"Storing terrain mats?" Topic

Having taken advantage of the Cigar Box end of year sale, I am looking for suggestions for storing the mats.

Over thinking things, as always, I'm questioning leaving them folded for long periods of time, stuffed in a draw.

I'm debating on purchasing a section of PVC piping, cutting it to the required lengths, capping one end permanently and fashioning a wood plug with a pull handle for access on the other end. I would likely store them horizontally, to avoid the pitfalls of crumpling the edges if stored upright.

Thoughts? Options?

We do that now except we use a second pvc cap, but don't glue that one. Also, drill a hole in that one or the air inside tube will not allow you to close.

If you ask the nice people who sell carpet, they'll give you the cardboard tubing the carpet comes wrapped around. The tubes can also be found thrown away at late-stage construction sites. You might want to wrap a bit of old bedsheet from Salvation Army around it with a description of the mat visible.

I keep telling people this is not an inherently expensive hobby, and my fellow gamers seem determined to prove me wrong.

I've had mine folded up (as delivered) for over a year, and have had no problem with them. There's one wrinkle that'll take 5 seconds with an iron to clear up, but that's it.

I keep mine folded, and, if needed, give it a quick spritz of Downy wrinkle releaser and a shake.

Rick

Phil Barker says not to fold game mats because that gives them creases. He says just wad them up put them in a bag. I do that.

I do admit that some are rolled up on cardboard tubes, like Robert mentions above, But on tubes that posters came in the mail in.

I get cardboard tubes, 4-5 feet long, at fabric stores or craft stores that sell fabric. They normally have empties that they'll give you for free. And yes, I store all my cloth game mats rolled on those tubes. No worries, ever, about wrinkles.

I roll all my mats up, no tube at all. Rolled tightly they stack easily (I use a velcro strap to hold them tight) and come put perfect. My game table has a shelf unit at one end and they all live there when not in use.

I went to a carpet shop and they gave me a few card tubes that they only throw away. I cut these down to the length I needed (just over five feet). I roll my mats around these and then put them in a long plastic bag that I think came from the carpet store.

Rolled, stored on covered patio, under a table top – no issues so far. Painted canvas, though.

I have 2 types of mats: painted latex by Zuzzy and printed fabric by Cigar Box.

Zuzzy mats I keep rolled around a cardboard tube.

Cigar Box I just fold and store on a shelf -- never had any issues.

No problems with keeping my Cigar Box mats folded. They always layout very flat. You could probably wad them up and they would still lay flat.