The Ultimate Soldering Mat? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2023, 06:26:40 am
content: I've always hated the silicon soldering mats. Everything sticks to them, including balls of solder and rosin, lint, etc. A few days ago I was in Home Depot as I was walking past the tile area, I noticed a 12" x 24" smooth, white ceramic tile. It had a chip in it so I got it for $1.99.I'll never use a mat again. This thing is so easy: nothing sticks to it and clean up with plain 70% alcohol only takes a couple swipes with a paper towel.Does anyone else use a ceramic tile for a solder mat?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2023, 05:41:08 pm
content: I used to, but then I discovered the silicone mats and found I like them far better. They provide friction so the thing I'm trying to solder doesn't slide around, and they're squishy so I can push down on a board and keep through-hole parts pressed against the board. They're soft so they don't scratch things, and they're light weight so they can be rolled up for storage. Solder doesn't stick to mine, flux does but I can wash it off with flux cleaner.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 12:38:13 am
content: Quote from: james_s on May 16, 2023, 05:41:08 pmGood points. I think I will cut up my silicon mat so I can use it in smaller applications, like you have stated using yours. It's true, you can't roll the tile, but I never do that anyway. I just leave it out on my soldering station table.When I try to clean my silicon mat with alcohol and a paper towel, the paper towel is gripped by the silicon. It's REALLY annoying. I hate that because I tends to clean my soldering area, where I am directly soldering, multiple times a session. I can't stand having balls of solder and rosin around that area, either. I just wipe the ceramic tile with a paper towel and 70% and done.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 12:52:11 am
content: My annoyance with the silicone mat is cat hair sticks to it and boy does that stink if it gets on the soldering iron. My mat is only a small one though, I put it down over the ESD mat on my bench when I need to solder something. I can see where a tile could be useful too, I have an Epicurean cutting board that I got specifically for hobby work that is a nice compromise, it's not as heat proof as a tile or silicone but it can tolerate soldering heat and provides a bit more friction than a tile. I use it for cutting things with a razor knife too so I don't slice up my bench or chip the blades. A piece of thin plywood works ok too.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 05:04:39 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on May 17, 2023, 12:52:11 amI experienced that everything like that sticks to it: lint, dust, my paper towels, which scrub off on it as I'm trying to clean it. bleh. It's little things like this that add up and cause stress, at least for me. I'm glad I eliminated it!Just to add, I would not use the ceramic tile to work on, such as if I needed any grip or softer backing. I'd use a mat or a piece of wood, like you said. It would be equally annoying to try and push and pull on stuff on the slippery tile

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2023, 09:53:02 pm
content: I've never had solder stick to silicone soldering mat, same as james. You are talking about these ones right?https://www.amazon.ca/Soldering-Silicone-Resistant-Electronics-Workbench/dp/B0727RK3QFIf dust is an issue, rinse it off in the sink or use something lint free to wipe it.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2023, 12:52:39 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on May 17, 2023, 09:53:02 pmI always took it to the sink, but it was just a whore to clean. Yes, those are the mats I am talking about. Of course solder doesn't 'stick' to them, but if there is any rosin on the solder bits or balls, then they stick, in the corners, etc. The smooth surface of the white ceramic tile is just super easy to wipe off. I have these mats:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079N5YLDV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YMPCDQV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1I think I will take the small black one and cut the square center out of it for when I need a grippier, softer surface, and just lay it over the ceramic tile.Anyway, the tile is super easy to clean.

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2023, 02:24:29 am
content: You can also use silicon baking mats from a local cooking supplier or general product store - relatively cheap.Refer to pldaniels ( repairs apple products )https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG59vVRe_wP55tqqWLimnAQ

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2023, 04:57:41 pm
content: Quote from: notsob on May 18, 2023, 02:24:29 amJust be aware that cooking mats are rated for a lot less heat than solder mats: over 900F for solder silicon but cooking mats are usually about 450-500F

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2023, 09:03:54 pm
content: I suspect they're made of the same stuff. The difference is with cooking you've got the thing exposed to high temperature for maybe 45 minutes or more in some cases, while a soldering mat may be exposed to high temperature for just a few seconds, maybe several minutes cumulatively throughout an evening of soldering. I don't know about others but I don't just sit there and hold the end of a hot soldering iron on my silicone mat.