How important are ESD tools? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 04:27:37 pm
content: Got this cutter from Amazonhttp://amzn.com/B002S0O7SQ, it cuts just great but when it arrived I realized it is not ESD compliance (did not think about it when placing the order). I just ordered an ESD mat and am trying to setup a simple home 'lab' (occasional hobbyist stuff, nothing fancy).How important it is to use ESD tools? Should I return it and get another one? Not a big deal?

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 04:33:52 pm
content: IMO all you need is the mat. I've been doing sensitive work for 15 years on a mat without ESD rated tools, never an issue.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 04:43:51 pm
content: well that depend of what you use.a lot of people will say "never used it and never had any issue". don't listen them. if a device is broken, nobody will never give the merits of the fault to electro static discarge.if you live in a humid environment, you probably don't need anything.if where you live is dry, you should take some precautions. (maybe a humidifier)the cheapest and more userful is the esd bracelet. you can buy a crappy one for 5$ or a good one for 15$some tools really should be esd compilant. brushes for example.

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 04:46:36 pm
content: These hakko cutters are essentially the same,they are also made in italy and are $6.95http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-CHP-170-Maximum-Cutting-Capacity/dp/B00FZPDG1K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_indust_2/185-1438670-9592000As long as you wear an anti static strap or use a mat,or both you wil be ok.

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 04:49:52 pm
content: Quote from: ddavidebor on November 06, 2013, 04:43:51 pmDon't forget your hat:

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 04:54:49 pm
content: a lot of students say that, and their mosfet die misterously O0

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 05:05:40 pm
content: Quote from: ddavidebor on November 06, 2013, 04:54:49 pmwhy would you use cutters on a mosfet !

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 05:13:06 pm
content: Quote from: fluxcapacitor on November 06, 2013, 05:05:40 pmTo trim the leads.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 05:20:10 pm
content: If you have an esd mat and wrist strap it will not matter if your tools are esd safe or not as long as you are in contact with the metal parts of the tool, there will only be a problem if the tool is insulated, if it says insulated to a 1000 volts or something like that there could be a charge on the tool if you are holding it by the plastic handles only touch the metal and you should be safe, that is unless you are trying to cut a live wire with a 1000 volts on it.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 05:28:13 pm
content: If you aren't doing manufacturing or production that requires ESD procedures and equipment all you have to remember is no static. Use a grounded anti-static mat under the work but all you really need besides that is a soldering iron/station with a grounded tip and a ground point you can touch and touch the tools to before each use to drain any static build up. A wrist strap is cheap so I'd use one also but the idea is to just keep everything at the same potential, usually earth/ground.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 07:51:54 pm
content: From a minimalist POV, I'm with G7PSK. Just dissipate any static charge in the tool prior to using it (mat or wrist strap touching the metal).That said, the ESD versions of tools usually only add a couple of bucks to the price, so it's a worthwhile precaution to take IMHO on top of a strap and mat (easy to forget to discharge any potential before using it).

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 09:31:22 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on November 06, 2013, 05:20:10 pmThanks everybody for the info.Yes, I plan to have a grounded mat and strap (should arrive tomorrow) but I don't think I can touch the cutter's metal each time I use it, I am sure I will forget. Humidity around here is ~50-70%, I guess, so not too bad.Since I am not invested in an old cutter and need to make a purchase decision I think will go ahead and start looking for an ESD one. Anybody can recommend a good ESD cutter? My preference is for a good quality one.I am also looking for a small plier, so having it ESD safe will also be nice.Thanks,Z.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 10:09:04 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on November 06, 2013, 09:31:22 pmTake a look atSchmitz. Absolutely top quality, and very reasonably priced, so an excellent value.Online storehas a limited selection (most popular) of what they produce, but they ship all over, and take PayPal (shipping is flat rate, and VAT will remain/disappear depending on address). I ordered 4x pliers, and it came to less than $30USD per pair (they're rebranded as NWS, CK Tools, and others FWIW; buying directly from the manufacturer was still less expensive).For a review (precisiontools, who is a member here), take a lookhere.

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 11:38:36 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on November 06, 2013, 05:13:06 pmI should know better than to post things when i`m tired.Time to hang up the soldering iron and have a holiday

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 12:14:13 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on November 06, 2013, 05:28:13 pmI think that sentence needs a bit of rewording...

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 12:38:27 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on November 07, 2013, 12:14:13 pmThere you go...

author: elex_enthusiast
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 02:22:19 pm
content: How important it is to use ESD tools?ESD tools are important specially when you work on a dried air place like air conditioned rooms where you are more likely to developed ESD. the best way to git rid from ESD is by using an anti-static wrist strap connected to ground to discharge ESD from your body to prevent damaging sensitive components...

author: fenclu
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 07:40:24 pm
content: What about ESD brushes for cleaning flux residue? I can imagine a standard toothbrush producing friggin' kilovolts.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 08:39:09 pm
content: You imagine well, they did

author: madshaman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2013, 02:59:33 pm
content: Quote from: elex_enthusiast on November 07, 2013, 02:22:19 pmESD tools are important specially when you work on a dried air place like air conditioned rooms where you are more likely to developed ESD. the best way to git rid from ESD is by using an anti-static wrist strap connected to ground to discharge ESD from your body to prevent damaging sensitive components...Shouldn't there be a decent impedance like 1 MOhm between your strap and ground? Plenty conductance for the voltages at static electricity levels but there's still a high impedance path to ground through your body.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 20, 2013, 07:23:36 pm
content: Quote from: madshaman on December 20, 2013, 02:59:33 pmWrist strap kits should come with a 1M resistor built in the cord. Can't recall ever seeing one that didn't include it.Easy enough to check with a meter if you're unsure IMHO.

author: madshaman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2013, 09:24:21 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on December 20, 2013, 07:23:36 pmI figured I'd mention because someone might diy a wrist strap and might not realise the implications of being that well grounded.