Serious question about those anti-static mat kits for bench work

Always figured they were mostly hype since I'd been using cardboard for years without issues. Then I zapped a $400 comm panel last month and finally bought a proper 3M mat kit from Grainger. Has anyone else had a close call like that change their mind on something they thought was overkill?

2 comments

2 Comments

thomas_young22h ago

I toasted a brand new Teensy 4.1 last year because I thought my old mousepad was good enough. That's a $25 board but it still stung because I had a deadline for that project. Now I use a proper 3M mat with the wrist strap clip and I actually feel stupid for not buying one years ago. It's like insurance you don't think you need until your board starts smoking.

foster.wade23h ago

Man, I feel that pain. I was the same way, used a cardboard box for years building guitar pedals and never had a problem. Then I blew out a vintage op-amp I had been hunting for months, like a hundred dollar part just gone in a split second. Switched to a proper mat and wrist strap setup the next day and kicked myself for not doing it sooner. It's one of those things you just don't realize you need until you actually wreck something good.