Rubber/Plastic workbench cover? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Checksum47
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 10:24:14 pm
content: Hi Dave,Long time youtube watcher here... First time forum poster...Love your videos.So my question is... I see in most of your videos you have a blue rubber/plastic mat or cover on your workbench. In one video you mention it and say that it is quite expensive but you never said what brand or how much it is. Can you share the name and brand?Thanks,Matt

author: ECEdesign
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 10:47:33 pm
content: Im not sure what exact brand Dave uses but it is a 2-layer ESD mat. SCS (formerly 3M) make pretty good ones. They are static dissipative on the top and conductive on the bottom side.

author: Checksum47
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 10:54:46 pm
content: I believe he did mention that it was heat resistant too.

author: ECEdesign
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 10:59:40 pm
content: Yeah a good 2-layer mat will be heat and chemical resistant. Something like thishttp://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/scs/8811/SCP225-ND/287243

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 11:43:12 pm
content: Dave got his from oritech here in Australia. I bought exactly the same stuff about a month ago now after having them confirm with me it is soldering iron resistant. After the first use I dropped a solder ball onto it from my iron and it started to melt. I grabbed a off cut and my iron went through it like butter. I've been waiting about 3 weeks now for them to get me the proper stuff. They think their supplier sent the wrong matting in the first place.The moral of this, get it in writing beforehand that it is in fact soldering iron resistant. Don't rely on phone calls or anything else. Luckily I got it in writing and they are very helpful in getting it sorted at this stage (although slow)Not sure how to url link on my phone, but here is what I bought. I have 2 benches 900 X 2100 to cover, this will give me enough to recover later and a bit of offcut.http://www.oritech.com.au/HRM090_or_10B/ESD-Mat-Dual-Layer-900mm-X-10M-Blue/pd.php

author: xbb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 11:29:47 am
content: Quote from: ECEdesign on May 01, 2016, 10:59:40 pmI have exactly that one, it's great. It was a bit too large for my desk so I had to cut it, it cleans pretty well too.

author: Checksum47
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 03, 2016, 11:38:25 am
content: Thanks PTR_1275... And oh boy. That IS expensive. That one from DigiKey looks to be much more reasonable...Thanks...

author: MarvinTheMartian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2016, 12:07:18 pm
content: Quote from: Checksum47 on May 03, 2016, 11:38:25 amYou need to carefully check what you are looking at before purchasing.Ptr-1275was using a 0.9 x10 metreroll- it looks like he was going to cover two long benches with it (Dave also bought the 10 m roll as he was covering his, then new, long workbench plus his 'Mailbag' bench).The digikey one quoted byECEdesignwas a much smaller rectangular piece 4' (1.22m) x 2' (0.61m) and not very thick at 0.07" (1.78mm) (the Oritech one looks to be about 10mm thick).I will be getting the Oritech supply as well sometime (in a smaller size - I don't need the 10m roll!).

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2016, 12:49:46 pm
content: Yeah, it was a 10m roll, sorry, wasn't clear about that in my original message.The Oritech one is ~2mm thick, definitely not 10mm. It is definitely a nice matting with exception to the melting like butter. I will keep you informed of how I go with Oritech so you know how it all goes when you get around to buying it for your bench.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2016, 06:04:34 pm
content: As you're in the US, I'd recommend going to the following eBay store;canvu0_0, as they have the best standard pricing vs. All-Spec, Digikey, ... IME, even after figuring in the shipping cost from Canada (the material is heavy).They offer rolls or pre-sized mats; even custom sizes if needed (send a message). They offer kits or just mats in different finishes (smooth or textured), as well as multiple colors (blue, green, grey) and widths (24", 30", & 36").The matting itself is fromScientific Americas, and is made in Canada. The seller is also located in Canada, so some members suspect the eBay seller may be the manufacturer (I'm leaning in this direction).It's good stuff in my experience, and if you search the seller or brand here in EEVBlog, other members' that have purchased from them have been satisfied with the quality as well.Regarding the cost, the only way I've ever beaten their prices, was on a clearance special from All-Spec. Never seen such prices since, but you can check other sources for sale/clearance items (can't hurt).

author: MarvinTheMartian
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2016, 12:09:47 am
content: Quote from: PTR_1275 on May 03, 2016, 12:49:46 pmI stand corrected - I got the impression from Dave's videos that it was much thicker.(Oritech advise that the mat is actually 3mm thick.)PSI just called Oritech and it appears the supplier may have changed their formulation for the mat.Oritech's website saysheat resistantbut this is only for a limited time (5 secs?) and is not rated for solder, etc. They are going to change their website description to make this clear until they can sort out the issues with their supplier or find a new source for the mats.PPSPTR_1275 - Just found another Australian supplier that says their mats are "Superior heat, chemical and wear resistance -Excellent choice in solderingand other challenging manufacturing environments"http://uptonaustralia.com.au/static-control/anti-static-bench-matting.html

author: rob-from-perth
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 04, 2016, 02:45:39 pm
content: Quote from: MarvinTheMartian on May 04, 2016, 12:09:47 amI recall seeing that Mektronics in Australia have the same mat (looks the same) on special this month with a bunch of other stuff.I've been thinking about buying it myself as really need some mats.http://www.mektronics.com.au/specials/premium-anti-static-bench-matting-textured-900mm-x-10m-grey.html