Where to buy a good anti static work mat - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Matster Chief
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 08:41:22 pm
content: Hey guys, i'd like to know if any of you know where I can find an affordable (but durable) anti-static mat for my workbench.I'd really like to avoid this.......and then.........and then some of this.....and then everyone else of course would be doing this........so ya. anyway if any of you could recommend a good one i'd be grateful!

author: Kohanbash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 09:04:39 pm
content: HiYou probably want to buy one that is temperature resistant so you dont easily melt it with your soldering iron or hot air, it should have a grounding cord that can go to earth ground, and a connector for a wrist strap.If you look on amazon the "better" ones are blue and are around $60 USD. The cheaper ones are white and go for around $20 USD.You can search "esd mat"

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2013, 11:40:15 pm
content: 2 layer rubber is what you want (0.80"/2mm thick). Tough, doesn't cut easily, and can handle molten solder without damage (600F).I got mine fromthis seller on eBay. Even with the shipping, it was still less expensive than other sources at the time, and everything's gone up since then (stuff is heavy & comes out of Canada).

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2013, 12:16:02 am
content: For good quality you want a rubber mat, not vinyl. If you also need the hand strap, grounding point, etc, you may find a kit.I am very happy with this onehttp://desco.descoindustries.com/viewproduct.aspx?pid=66040&h=1066#.UpKWEmRDuPAits' soft, lays flat on the desk, grippy, and doesn't melt from the solder iron.Digikey has parametric selection of many of themhttp://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/static-control-esd-clean-room-products/static-control-grounding-mats/2228418?k=esd%20mat

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2013, 12:31:44 am
content: I bought the kinda that isn't heat resistant. And really regretting it. Oh well, I might just buy a smaller mat for just the solder area. But even then, it scratches easily.

author: JohnnyGringo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2013, 12:52:00 am
content: I purchased this oneDESCO-66051 Desco 66051 - Statfree T2 Rubber Mat - Dark Blue $72.http://www.janelonline.com/desco-66051-esd-t2-rubber-mat-dark-blue-p/desco-66051.htmShipping was free (well, included in the pricing). It's come down a few dollars from $86 USD. At the time, Sept. 1, 2013, it was the cheapest.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2013, 02:03:19 am
content: Quote from: JohnnyGringo on November 25, 2013, 12:52:00 amPricey for a 24"x36" mat.Same size kit sells for $48 shipped from the eBay seller listed in my previous post (no affiliation, just the best pricing I've seen in the US). $70.50 can get you a 30"x60" shipped. Mat material is actually a bit thicker as well (0.80" instead of 0.60").

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2013, 02:44:11 am
content: Tryhttp://www.all-spec.com/products/Flooring_and_Matting%7CESD-Safe_Benchtop_Matting%7CMAT-00/Huge selection at various prices. They also occasionally have clearance on good mats

author: Matster Chief
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2013, 02:51:30 am
content: Quote from: zapta on November 25, 2013, 12:16:02 amI like this one. can you plug in a wrist ESD wrist band like this one:http://desco.descoindustries.com/DescoCatalog/WristStrapsCoilCords/SingleWireWristStraps/ElasticAdjustable/09070/#.UpK6CBQo6P8?

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2013, 04:11:23 am
content: I just buy this one from Staples. Works fine and cheap enough to replace every so often if you happen to burn a huge hole through it.http://www.staples.com/Startechcom-M3013-Desktop-Anti-Static-Mat-Beige/product_IM1K90235Ships free to your local Staples store.

author: Co6aka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2013, 06:57:35 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on November 24, 2013, 11:40:15 pmGot my new mat from them too, 2-layer rubber in blue, except I dealt with them directly; had 'em make up a custom size, 36" x 94" (Eh!)

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2013, 07:11:26 am
content: Quote from: Matster Chief on November 25, 2013, 02:51:30 amYes, even two of them. The wire and the attachment to the mat come separate from the mat and you install it yourself. The advantage is that you can choose installing on left or right side.

author: george graves
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2013, 08:22:42 am
content: Quote from: Co6aka on November 26, 2013, 06:57:35 amHow good of a mat would it be for "assembly" work? Where you are using sharp tools? Does it avoid scuff and nick marks?

author: Kohanbash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2013, 01:33:54 pm
content: QuoteA lot of the mats will have a snap on both sides so you can choose which side the grounding point mounts.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2013, 05:24:50 pm
content: Quote from: Co6aka on November 26, 2013, 06:57:35 amGood to know.Didn't ask, as I didn't need a custom size, but they were very responsive to my questions (i.e. shipping, as it wasn't listed at the time, or COO). FWIW, mat COO = Canada.Quote from: george graves on November 26, 2013, 08:22:42 amIt would be excellent for such use.Very resistant to sharp objects (probes). You can cut it with an x-acto or razor (new blade & get the point through first), so it's quite a bit tougher than say paper or cardboard for comparison's sake. Good at resisting nicks/scuffs as well (damage); it can/does get dirty, but can be cleaned. Also good with heat resistance (rated to 600F, but seems to be able to take more; haven't really done any formal testing, but at 700F, I don't see any damage FWIW).

author: quarros
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 08:58:49 am
content: Can anybody point me to the right direction on where to get this in europe? So far what I saw here was US/Canada only.I found this one in Germany:http://www.ebay.de/itm/ESD-Tischmatten-Set-Antistatik-Matte-in-verschiedenen-Ausfuhrungen-/131043535039?pt=DE_Haus_Garten_Heimwerker_Sicherheitstechnik&var=&hash=item1e82cda8bf#shpCntIdDid anybody have an experience with this?

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2013, 02:00:58 pm
content: I had a look around the usual local suspects and found that the Canadian one was still cheaper after paying shipping (they quoted me $22 to the UK). So I ordered the Canadian one

author: JustSquareEnough
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 16, 2017, 03:37:52 am
content: just wanted to pop in and say this seller is still offering them and is very helpful. I wanted a custom size 36"x13' which cheryl responded with a quote same day! so I pulled the trigger.Quote from: nanofrog on November 24, 2013, 11:40:15 pm