I have had a 1325 Chinese machine with a 4hp water-cooled spindle for 5+ years. My table surface is MDF with a vacuum hold-down because I mostly mill wood. I occasionally do small aluminum, and I just use some scrap plywood as a spoilboard.

My machine came with a misting system, but I have never used it. When I cut aluminum, I just manually spray cooling fluid on it.

I am finally ready to try cutting steel, but I need some sort or removable hold-down/spoilboard setup that would be better for smaller blanks and protect my MDF from the misting and cuttings. I am thinking I only need something about 2’ x 2’.

Suggestions on what types of material(s) would be ideal would be helpful.