Workbench Soldering Mat - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Xplode
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 01:26:01 am
content: Hey guys,I'm in the process of getting my desk setup to allow me to actually work on my electronics projects and ideas. I've finally got myself a decent weller soldering station, an adjustable power supply, and a Rigol scope in the mail. so now I'm looking at the more basic items. Like a desk protector.I searched the forums using a few various keywords, but i couldn't find much other than a $100 USD (+Shipping) option from all-spec, and I figure there has to be a more affordable option. This is, after all, just hobby fun for me.I'd like simething in the 24"x30" range (bigger is ok) that is heat resistant and non-conductive so I can actually power on the circuits to test them. I'm not overly concerned with ESD yet, more so much with not scorching my desk (that is actually my girlfriend's...)Thoughts, suggestions?Thanks in advance

author: markhing
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 01:38:51 am
content: I have a self healing crafts mat (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0006O8890) and also an anti-static desk mat (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00009XT3H). The crafts mat is somewhat heat resistant but would probably burn if you left a soldering iron on it for more than a few seconds. However it resists cuts and scrapes very well.I've also used a scrap piece of 1/8" plywood or MDF to protect the bench top. These work well and you can remove them when you don't need the protection.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 01:51:11 am
content: Hi+1 on basic protection for the table. I've done it both ways (plywood and MDF). Of the two MDF seems to be the better choice. It'scheaper and it lies flatter (with no glue). It also does not toss up splinters. Both will get pretty ugly over time. The cheaper MDF will be slightly more likely to get replaced.The nice thing about both MDF and plywood is that neither one is a really great insulator. Neither one makes a good static generator. This makes them both better from an ESD standpoint than a plastic top.Bob (the guy working at a plastic topped table right now ... hmmm...)

author: Xplode
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 03:34:43 am
content: Thanks for the input guys.I'm not the biggest fan of the mdf idea since I'm worried it'll slide around the desk, unless I attach it somehow. The desk is a nice, real wood, finished surface. If I can't come up with any other good ideas then I suppose I'll try it. What's the thinnest you can get decent MDF in anyway? I don't really want to add a bunch of thickness to my work surface either.UPDATE:I have been digging around all-spec's website some more and found some anti-static mats that say they "Withstand heat from hot soldering iron or molten solder" (http://www.all-spec.com/products/FTW100B.html) Does that mean it's going to melt and just not too badly, or is this actually a good product I should look at? Shipping isn't too bad, and it even comes with the wrist straps for ESD protection which seems good... 24x36" seems like a good size for my space too.I'm not set on all-spec either. I just saw them mentioned in another thread of a similar topic, and I am not sure where else to look. Totally open to suggestions!

author: Adam60
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 04:17:46 am
content: I use corrugated rubber stair runner. You can buy it by the running foot or yard. You can probably also get smooth stuff as well. I have 30 students at a time soldering and desks need to be protected. Two years and a lot of students and they still look good.

author: Kappes Buur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 04:21:44 am
content: Your concern, of the piece of MDF sliding about, can be alleviated with something like thishttp://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=60954&cat=1,42207

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 04:27:10 am
content: Quote from: Xplode on February 09, 2016, 03:34:43 amI have that exact one from All-Spec and it is excellent. It is very heat resistant. $45 is a good price. Highly recomended.

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 04:27:17 am
content: I have one of these it is from staples/ amazon It is ok but will not take the heat and solder drips stick to it, most are able to be removed I rate it 4-5 out of 10.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 04:46:28 am
content: If you have to work on a good piece of furniture, Hardboard over felt or blanket material to protect any polished surface underneath, then for a dedicated soldering area, a roofing slate (synthetic or real) will stand up to anything short of direct heating with a blowtorch. You'll still want an antistatic mat, but will be able to settle for a cheaper one that maybe isn't so heat resistant, or doesn't cover the whole surface.

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 04:49:43 am
content: You can get a proper two layer ESD mat roll pretty cheaply on ebay - I believe Dave posted a video a while back about one he got - and they are generally pretty good. Perhaps not quite as durable as "proper" brand name esd mats, but far superior to the cheap single layer melty mats. A good double layer mat will be quite heat resistant.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 04:52:19 am
content: Quote from: Xplode on February 09, 2016, 03:34:43 amI will probably get the All-Spec product you linked to. The All-Spec mats look like the new mats Dave put in his lab. Check his video.

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 05:51:50 am
content: Did a quick test of a cutoff from my ebay mat:https://youtu.be/NU1x0U20gdc700F tip, aside from discoloration no real damage to the mat.

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 07:30:56 am
content: for EU users, I bookmarked this esd mat :http://www.voelkner.de/products/29334/ESD-Tischmatten-Set.htmlfor beeing resistant to heat and small cuttingit was brought here by a eevblog user but can't remember who.still did not buy it so cannot attest more !

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 05:33:54 pm
content: Quote from: Xplode on February 09, 2016, 03:34:43 amHiThe solder mat may be resistant to heat, but it is not magic. Push down on it with a hot iron and the surface underneath gets quite warm. There simply is no way a thin rubber mat can stop heat flow. Think about grabbing a hot pan with a thin rubber mat (no don't try it, you'll get burned).The MDF can come as thin as 1/8" (2.5 mm) . That is thin enough that you will not notice any height increase in your bench. It's also thin enough that it does not provide a lot of protection. The more conventional 1/4" (5 mm) material is probably a better bet. It's a go down to the big box store and have them cut it to the right size sort of thing. Around here, there is no charge for cutting it.Sliding around wise, I have rarely had a problem. The MDF covers the whole bench top. I have big heavy equipment on the bench all the time. I have more trouble with anti-static mats sliding around. They are generally much smaller and don't run under the big heavy gear.Bob

author: Xplode
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 06:08:48 pm
content: I'm not actually looking for ultimate protection - I'm not planning to press down hard on the mat and hope the heat doesn't trasnfer. I just want to avoid burn marks if I'm making a solder and a blob drops, or if I need to join two parts dead-bug, i have a surface I can put heat on for a couple seconds without scorching the wood below.Also, my desk is a corner style unit, with a 45 degree piece to soften the transition from side to side, so its not quite as easy as getting the local bigbox to cut me a perfect sized piece.I'm liking the All-spec one I found, and I think I'm going to give it a try. I can, if people are interested, post up a quick review once i get it.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 07:05:50 pm
content: +1 for wood. Cheap and rigid.As far as looks, my first plywood bench top got ugly fast. My current one has been holding up, nicely. If you use wood, i recommend you give it several coats of an oil finish, like boiled linseed or pure tung oil. No varnish or poly. And give it a wipedown and a new coat a few times a year. And never shoot hot air directly on it. Use a sacrificial surface for that.With an oil finished wood surface you can temporarily hot snot awkward boards to the bench, and it will be secure but easily removable with alcohol. And it is a good antistatic material. And it is cheap.

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 07:57:19 pm
content: @xplode:Since you are in Canada, if you want the good rubber ESD mat you can try:http://www.scientificamericas.com/.I have one of their mats, haven't tested it with solder yet but its the heat resistant kind. They use to sell on ebay but I couldn't find their store maybe they quit that. They are in Thornhill/ON. If you search the forum I think you will find the other threads where people have bought from them. They aren't cheap but in the range of other quality mats. They had both pre-cut kits with connection sockets installed and whole rolls with a better quantity price.

author: daybyter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 09, 2016, 11:58:42 pm
content: When a friend moved and retired his living room, there was a big ceramic (I think) tile in the cocktail cabinet. I took it home and use it since then for soldering. I think it's 100% heat resistant and it was free. I usually put a newspaper sheet on top of it, but that is more, so I can just throw the paper away with the cut off wires etc.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2016, 06:14:37 am
content: An eBay seller,canvu0_0, has a store that specializes in rubber ESD mats, and happens to be located in Canada.Here(eBay.ca link). And the matting used is Scientific America's Inc., made in Canada, according to an email he sent me. All sorts of sizes, colors, and even offers both smooth and textured surface finishes. Plain mats and kits. He'll even make custom sizes if you ask.Given his location, it appears the price + shipping comes in at ~ the one on All-Spec before shipping for an equivalent sized mat kit (mat + wrist strap + ground cord).FWIW, I've mats from both this seller ^, and the Sierra line from All-Spec; both are good quality mats IME.

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2016, 09:28:31 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on February 10, 2016, 06:14:37 amYupps, thats the seller I was thinking of. I lost the link but still had the scientific Americas sheet so I thought I bought directly from them.Nanofrog you've been unfailingly polite and helpful on this forum. much gratitude.

author: electrongeek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2016, 01:55:24 am
content: I use a nice size sheet of fibre cement board, aka Hardie board or more properly HardieBacker Cement Board. Quite heat resistant, doesn't slide. But you would want something underneath it to protect a nice surface, and if you leave a soldering iron on it long enough it will transfer heat to the other side.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2016, 03:47:02 am
content: Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on February 10, 2016, 09:28:31 pmThanks.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2016, 04:26:38 am
content: Quote from: Xplode on February 09, 2016, 03:34:43 amA general tip for stopping things sliding around - get some of that sticky rubber covered mesh that is sold for holding things in place on car dashboards. Also sold for holding bathroom mats/rugs in place and for holding workpieces in carpentry. I often find rolls of it at the Pound Store (substitute your own native currency).Ian

author: Xplode
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2016, 04:45:03 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on February 10, 2016, 06:14:37 amWell it appears my impatience has bitten me in the butt. Thanks for the link but I already ordered from all-spec... It will definitely be costing me more than this Canadian seller.Hopefully it helps someone else out when searching the forums in the future.Thanks everyone for the suggestions/comments.I was cruising through Canadian Tire yesterday and they sell big rolls of anti-slip/drawer liner made of a light rubberized foam. Think they were like $12 CDN or something, so that would be a good option to help prevent things skidding around the desk. I may pick some up to set power supplies and such on actually...