anti static mat?!

[fifteenrabbits]

oh come now. I just received two new preamps and now I need to order an anti static mat from somewhere?

I built my first T15 without one but I just want to be safe. especially cuz its winter now.

Radioshack has no mats.

Are there any alternatives? other safeguards I can use? other techniques I can execute?

I wanna build these now.

Thanks!
-E

[fifteenrabbits]

alright, humans.

This is what I've done:

I've taken a grounded cable and soldered some desoldering braid to the grounded wire and put the desoldering braid in my sock and plugged in the grounded cable.

Wish me luck, I'm going in.

-E

ps does anybody object to the logic in this idea?

[brad347]

not only do I not object, I want to thank you for making my evening with that mental picture.

[fifteenrabbits]

my pleasure, Brad.

But I do want to know if you are a credible source for electronics advice.

I did build a T15 that had favorable readings in the testing process outlined by the assembly instructions.

C84 next.

[niccolo]

Your trick will work better if you put the braid and your feet into a bucket of water.

[fifteenrabbits]

oh come now. be kind.

I figure that if I'm discharging my own static to ground then I'm much less likely to shock a sensitive component.

now, the anti-static mat seems to be more for keeping things other than myself from shocking sensitive components.

That is where I question my logic.

I'm working on a wooden desk with a wooden floor so I figure there's not much besides me to garner a static charge.

Is this a safe way to work on the SCA kits? That's what I'm trying to figure out here.

-E

[niccolo]

I'm sorry I didn't want to be sarcastic.
I just thought the atmosphere was humorous.
My bad.
I never had static problems in my electronics DIY history, even if I tend to accumulate static charges while doing the usual static-charging jobs.
I guess you should be fine too.
I'd avoid connecting myself to the ground wall-plug, but that's just me.

[fifteenrabbits]

Aye.

I'm not connecting myself to ground when I'm working with a powered on device. I only do it when I'm stuffing the board.

-Eeeevo

ps. no worries!

[tpryan]

...and now I need to order an anti static mat from somewhere?

Wrist strap: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6899261005

Mat: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... atic%20mat

Some background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrosta ... ive_device

Don't come crying when your otherwise perfect-looking board is mysteriously noisy or non-functional.

[fifteenrabbits]

Thanks Tim.

I've already stuffed my two newest boards. I'm still waiting for a response from my other post to make sure that its alright to start using my C84.

http://www.seventhcirclestudios.com/SCA ... php?t=1522

I wholly hope not to cry.

I'll definitely get the anti-static mat soon.

-E

[samgreene]

Where I'm at, radioshack does sell an anti-static mat with wrist strap and a wall socket plug. The red color creates quite a contrast against green boards, but I was able to get to work yesterday instead of waiting for an order.

model # 276-2370
catalog # 276-2370

[fifteenrabbits]

Yeah, they didn't carry them at any of my local radioshack stores. :/

I built my preamps and they work just as they should, but I'm going to get a mat for the next builds.