An Introduction to Grypmat Tool Trays

Here’s a Grypmat tool tray in action as shown at the recent 2017 PRI Show in Indianapolis, IN. (Image/Dragzine)

How did Grypmat tool trays—the hottest new tool in automotive—come to be?

The same way most awesome things do, because as the old proverb says, necessity is the mother of invention.

Grypmat inventor Tom Burden was working on F-16 fighter jets for the U.S. Air Force National Guard’s 180^th Fighter Wing in Toledo, OH, and struggling with the same problem faced by anyone who’s ever worked under the hood of a car or truck—Where can I put my tools where they’re within arm’s reach, won’t damage sensitive parts of what I’m working on, and won’t slip or get lost?

That’s when Burden thought up the concept for the Grypmat—which is the newest thing you need that you might not know existed.

Unless you watch ABC’s Shark Tank, of course, which provided a huge financial boost and national exposure to propel Grypmat development after Burden’s product was featured on the popular television show.

Why Are Grypmat Tool-Tray Grip Mats Awesome?

If there’s a useful function that a flexible rubber-like tray could conceivably perform that is lacking in the Grypmat, we haven’t discovered it yet.

Let’s go down the list:

• The Grypmat has an almost-magical ability to stick to surfaces—even at extreme angles. The surface is totally vehicle paint-friendly and non-abrasive. Grypmats are made of a polymer-silicone blend that results in a versatile tool tray that is non-slip, non-magnetic, chemical-resistant, and anti-static which protects sensitive electrical components.
• Not only does the Grypmat stay in place, but so do the tools you place in it. You can stick a Grypmat full of tools at a pretty severe 70-degree angle, with total confidence your tools will stay put.
• Grypmats are temperature-resistant up to 600 degrees F.
• Grypmat tool trays come in small, medium, and large sizes—all of which include in-tray partitions for various tools and hardware. The medium and large Grypmats include built-in rulers for quick and easy measurement.
• The Grypmat can be rolled or folded for easy portability, but will always return to its original shape.
• Grypmat tool trays are completely chemical-resistant against things like brake fluid or oil drops. A simple soap-and-water cleaning returns them to like-new condition.

(Image/Summit Racing)

We wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and thought you might want to as well.