ESD Mat - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AJ4OM
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 15, 2012, 11:40:57 pm
content: Has anyone here tried this ESD Mat on ebay?http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-LAYER-DISSIPATIVE-CONDUCTIVE-RUBBER-ESD-MAT-24-x-72-W-GROUND-CABLE-NEW-/280835609102?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item41631b520e#ht_746wt_1439You can't tell much about it from the photo.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 12:08:08 am
content: It looks like the guy from Canada, Thornhill Ontario. If it is I have bought them before. They are the real deal, Rubber (not the crappy vinyl ones), conductive coating on the bottom and either blue or gray. I Didn't find any defects or blemishes on the ones I got.I have bought from him before and even though they don't have a visible brand name I'm pretty sure they are brand name....mike

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 12:33:48 am
content: Not sure where you are in the US, but it was the shipping that kept me from purchasing from that seller (looked at a bit smaller). But he assured me it was rubber, and you get your choice of color (blue, grey, and maybe green IIRC).

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 12:38:09 am
content: I don't think he's making a killing on the shipping those mats are pretty heavy....mike

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 12:44:34 am
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on May 16, 2012, 12:38:09 amI wasn't knocking the seller or the prices (prices are great).Just stating that adding the cost of the mat + shipping from Canada to me didn't come out less expensive than buying the same type and size mat within the US when I checked. Like you say, they're not exactly light weight, and shipping between Canada and the US is what caused it not to be the deal I had hoped.

author: AJ4OM
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 12:46:37 am
content: I am in the US. I haven't looked to see how bad the shipping was yet.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 12:56:58 am
content: Quote from: AJ4OM on May 16, 2012, 12:46:37 ameBay wouldn't give me that information when I entered my ZIP code, so I had to contact the seller. Worth checking, as it may work out for a larger mat.Good luck.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 01:08:36 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on May 16, 2012, 12:44:34 amI know, shipping from Canada to the sates and vice versa sucks. Look at AMScope, they are a Canadian company and run an office across the border and drive the stuff personally from Canada to the US daily to save shipping costs. It works though, they have great prices on microscopes....mike

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 01:31:26 am
content: I got the green non textured high temp rubber from him and it is excellent.

author: Construct
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 06:21:54 pm
content: According to his auction description, this is a Scientific Americas product. It doesn't correspond to any of their current part numbers:http://scientificamericas.com/product_cat.php?cat_id_cap1=49&cat_id_cap2=51Looks like he's buying the 40ft rolls, cutting them to length, and selling them on eBay. Not a bad idea at all. Certainly makes things easier for those of us without 40ft of bench space.Now if only some enterprising individual within the US would do the same to keep shipping costs down.

author: Baliszoft
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2012, 09:42:12 pm
content: My vermason mat has got exactly the same pattern.

author: kaptain_zero
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2012, 12:52:32 am
content: Well, after checking local prices... I'm going to order one from this outfit. I figure the 30 x 72 size should make for enough elbow room, even for a klutz like me!I'm in Canada so shipping isn't that bad, only $17.xx, and that textured surface should hopefully keep the tiny bits from rolling off the bench.RegardsChristian

author: kodi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 01:25:05 pm
content: Hi guys,I'm looking for ESD mat resistant to heat,abrasion and accidental cutting. I stumbled onto this thread. There is now a link to the specs:http://scientificamericas.com/upload/Two%20Layer%20ESD%20Rubber%20Mat.pdfThe problem is I live in Ireland and shipping (surface) would be like 50$ (and delivery time around a month or so). Can anyone point me to the shop where can I purchase a similar quality product (or what Dave is using), but in Europe? Thanks in advance!

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 02:06:01 pm
content: kodi,I got my ESD gear from Somerset Solders (www.somersetsolders.com). They sell 1200x610 dual layer rubber mats pre-fitted with 10mm studs for around £30, and they are pretty tough (mine has survived numerous solder splashes and the famous EEVBlog multimeter probe penetration test).

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 03:27:08 pm
content: I did a cheap one, cost me nothing, and has a surface resistivity of 5M per square. Used rubber conveyer belting, around 5mm thick. Carbon black loaded natural rubber vulcanised to cotton plies and with an antistatic top rubber. Can be cut, but quite resistant to accidental damage, and will withstand the odd contact with hot solder or the soldering iron tip. added a corner screw and washer to connect an earthing wire, and this goes to mains earth via a 100k resistor for safety, along with the standard ELCB.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 03:37:38 pm
content: I bought some 600mmx900mm mats from element14 that only costs me 39SGD per mat... It's the grade A version, >220Mohms (Datasheet quoted 10Mohms to 1Gohms) on the top and spot on 1Mohms on the bottomhttp://sg.element14.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?SKU=1687904Although there are some problems on the mat itself, such as white holes( fillups apparently) so the quality is not greatand some holes*It's so slow now, just my internet going mad

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 05:43:23 pm
content: I think I have the same mat. I find it difficult to clean because the surface is made of rubber. The more expensive mats have smoother surfaces.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 06:23:44 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 23, 2012, 05:43:23 pmAin't they all made of rubber? It's actually supposedly the same type ...

author: kodi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 06:49:44 pm
content: Thanks for the info, guys! Regarding the rubber surface - Somerset Solders offers now something called "ESD 3 Layer Bench Matting" with rubber as a middle layer. I asked them what's on top (vinyl/rubber/other) and for specs, because there is not much info on that.Rolycat: is your mat resistant to cuts as well? I will be working with mixed PCBs, so I want something that's at least scratch resistant (BTW with shipping Somerset Solders price is exactly the same as ordered from Canada...).

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 10:22:27 pm
content: Kodi,I bought the 2-layer mat a year or so ago, and it's still in very good condition. Apart from being pale blue it looks and behaves just like the stuff Dave has on his bench, and it's very tough, although you can cut it with a craft knife. There's more information on the 2-layer pages on the website, this is an extract:Two layer nitrile rubber materialStatic dissipative coloured top layerBlack conductive underlayment.Meets ESD standard EN 61340-5-1Resistant to solder splashing and abrasionI opted for studs on all corners. One rear stud is grounded, and the front studs can be used to clip on a wrist strap.On the whole I'm very happy with it - it feels like a professional quality product. If I have a criticism, the pale colour and a slight 'grain' on the top layer means that it can look grubby if not cleaned from time to time - the dark blue might be better in that respect.