Is there such a thing as a cutting AND soldering mat?

[mihalski]

Hi,

Is there such a thing as a cutting and soldering mat?

I'd love to have an A2 sized mat like that on my workbench but haven't been able to find anything like it.

Regards,
Michal

[con-f-use]

I have this one: http://www.voelkner.de/products/29334/ESD-Tischmatten-Set.html
Left my soldering iron on there countless time, spilled solder all over it, still not a spot. Same with light duty cutting (paper, vero-board). If you google the manufacturer you should be able to source it outside of Germany. If you really want help, I'd recommend telling us where you live.

[mihalski]

I have this one: http://www.voelkner.de/products/29334/ESD-Tischmatten-Set.html
Left my soldering iron on there countless time, spilled solder all over it, still not a spot. Same with light duty cutting (paper, vero-board). If you google the manufacturer you should be able to source it outside of Germany. If you really want help, I'd recommend telling us where you live.

Thanks for the pointer!

Would this be able to handle Exacto knife cutting? ie self healing? I'll try and find some more info based on the link you gave. It's a good starting point.

I live in Brisbane, Australia. For some reason I just took it for granted and assumed most people here were in Australia Seems the forum is fairly international though so I'll remember to mention it in future

Regards,
Michal

[rdl]

I live in Brisbane, Australia. For some reason I just took it for granted and assumed most people here were in Australia Seems the forum is fairly international though so I'll remember to mention it in future

Regards,
Michal

Probably best to set your country in your forum profile. It's very helpful when these kind of questions come up.

[con-f-use]

Would this be able to handle Exacto knife cutting? ie self healing? I'll try and find some more info based on the link you gave. It's a good starting point.

It is self healing. Exacto knife is just fine. If you really try (hard) to cut through it will eventually give up but just cutting stuff on it and slipping does not damage it. Not magic but the best I ever had. Btw. Dave did a video on his ESD mat which are also stab and heat proof.

[CTMS]

You can get these in Melbourne from Radio Parts

http://www.radioparts.com.au/product/40083005/pask1-professional-anti-static-bench-mat-with-grounding-cord-plug#.U0Sq91fwC8c

Size of mat is 1 metre long x 600mm deep.
Blue side on top is static dissipative and black side underneath is conductive

[mihalski]

You can get these in Melbourne from Radio Parts

http://www.radioparts.com.au/product/40083005/pask1-professional-anti-static-bench-mat-with-grounding-cord-plug#.U0Sq91fwC8c

Size of mat is 1 metre long x 600mm deep.
Blue side on top is static dissipative and black side underneath is conductive

I contacted Radio Parts regarding that item and received the following response:

Hi Michal

The surface of that anti static mat is not really suitable as a cutting surface. A knife blade would
damage it for sure!

Cheers
Damian
Radio Parts Group

So no. This mat is definitely not suitable.

I remember watching Dave's videos with the blue mat he has on his bench tops (both old and new), but I seem to remember him pointing out that it was not available in short lengths. Am I mistaken?

Thanks!

Regards,
Michal

[nanofrog]

I remember ... him pointing out that [2 layer rubber ESD mat] was not available in short lengths. Am I mistaken?

There are small mat kits available (I'm accustomed to various sizes), so you don't have to buy an entire roll (example). I would recommend making sure it's rubber (able to withstand molten solder), as not all are (i.e. those made of vinyl <PVC>). Not sure of the best places to get it from price wise for your location, but I at least found them on RS (Newark/Farnell/Element 14, digikey, ... would be other places to look for example).

Keep in mind, that 2 & 3 layer rubber ESD mats aren't specifically meant for cutting.

They're not super delicate, but you might want to look into a small self-healing mat meant for cutting set on top of the ESD mat when needed (you can cut an ESD mat with some effort, such as puncturing it and continuing to cut if in the middle of the mat; from the edge with a good sharp pair of shears/scissors; to give you an idea of effort).

This way you can protect your ESD mat, and it won't be horribly expensive either.

Just a thought.