EEVblog #585 - Lab Bench ESD Matting Upgrade + Tagarno HD Microscope

[EEVblog]

Dave updates the EEVblog lab benches with a continuous 6.3 m roll of dual layer rubber ESD matting.
http://www.oritech.com.au/categories.aspx?categoryID=332&name=ESD-Matting
And a first glimpse of the Tagarno MAGNUS FHD ZIP USB 3 60fps Full HD Video Microscope
http://www.tagarno.com/products/magnus-fhd-zip-0
And special guest appearance by Sagan

[Rory]

If you don't like the mat overhanging the front of the bench, how about pulling the bench out a bit so the overhang is in the rear?

[M4trix]

Ooops, MAGNUS HD ZIP video-microscope is 3,150 euros. That's a big tall glass of nope! 

[FrankBuss]

I have the same kind of ESD mat, only the black rubber on the back looks a bit thinner on my mat, with the same overhanging problem. I solved it with some nails, it looks a bit like a tablecloth now:



But it would require Mrs. EEVblog to motivate me to cleanup my workbench

[RobB]

Nice roll of ESD matting Dave and not too outrageously expensive when bought as a complete roll. Problem is not many would have the need for a full roll so a group buy may be a goer for us in Aus at least. Any interest?
I'm in WA so probably not the best person to coordinate this.

Cheers
Rob

[zapta]

Dave, does the [dis]organization of your lab affect your productivity?   

I am impressed how 'busy' your new lab's bench looks like.  ;-)

[calin]

This makes me laugh my head off ... today I just bought two of these baking mats so I don't burn my bench.  There is professional .. hobby aaand ... then Ikea 

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00175250/

What ESD .. it has hearts and butterflies on one side and some conversion tables from Fahrenheit to Celsius so i get my soldering iron just right

[EEVblog]

I have the same kind of ESD mat, only the black rubber on the back looks a bit thinner on my mat, with the same overhanging problem. I solved it with some nails, it looks a bit like a tablecloth now:

That looks like PVC type? (shiny)

[EEVblog]

Dave, does the [dis]organization of your lab affect your productivity? 

Yes, very much.
I'll always having to look for even basic stuff like camera remote, various screwdrivers, lenses sometimes, cables, adapters, project parts etc etc I even lost my Rigol scope once for a day - seriously, I found it buried under some used bubble wrap on the floor. You'd be surprised at the stuff that ends up on the floor...

[calexanian]

Looking pretty good there. One day, decades from now Sagan will see that video of himself running up and down the bench. I have one picture of dad and myself rooting through a junk drawer from when I was about 4 or 5. Not many other photos from back then. I still run up and down the benches on occasion though. 

[Monkeh]

Just as an aside, there's nothing wrong with PVC mats, they're just for a different purpose.

Think module-level work, PC construction, and the like. No need for puncture, heat, or chemical resistance, and no need for the expense!

[dakiller]

mektronics.com.au will sell you this exact mat in custom length, I got 3 metres for $145.50 + gst for my bench, just have to email them.

Had the same dimensional problems as you Dave as well, made my bench exactly 900mm and the mat was bloody 910mm, would have been nice to know that before I built the bench.

[AmmoJammo]

Looking at the video of the lab in its messy state... and realising that's what my house is going to look like... when I buy one that is... 

[linux-works]

any suggestions on where to get good quality (yet still affordable) mats here in the US?

I looked at amazon but can't be sure if this is junk or good stuff, there.  mostly I see vinyl junk.  I'm looking for the solder-resistant blue top surface and rubber backing.  I'll probably need 6' by 30" (size of a typical folding table that you find at office supply stores).

[pickle9000]

Try this guy, it's where I got mine.

http://stores.ebay.ca/canvu0-0/_i.html?rt=nc&_nkw=rubber&_sid=88192998&_sticky=1&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14&_sop=2&_sc=1

[linux-works]

thanks, pickle

looks affordable and ships from the US if going to the US.  works for me.

they have too many choices, though.

I did like the color that dave used.  is that technically grey?  its not really green, is it?  and its obviously not dark blue, as the stuff he had before was dark blue.  the lighter color does help brighten up the place, so I'd go with lighter vs darker, if given a choice.

I assume I want double layer and not triple, yes?

what's all the stuff about grounding points, though?  they seem to have a few styles and I'm not sure what to get.

btw, is it really sufficient to ground it at just one point?  would it be useful to ground it every 1 metre's length, or so?  can you add extra snaps to it?  if I cut it into sections, I'd want to add grounding to each section, of course.

[pickle9000]

There are smooth and textured finishes, the colours are fairly accurate, mine is blue. They come with or without a grounding kit. No need to add extra ground points (but you do need one). I do have the three layer but if I buy any more I'd get the 2 layer. The three layer ones took a few days to flatten out. 

Mine are way over 2 years old, I have 2pcs of 24x60, I picked a textured finish. They are tough and one has been abused daily with no issues. Cleans up with soap and water / windex. 

[jonwilhelmjr]

I was wondering what is the height of the work bench. Also what is the dimensions of the shelving. I am really excited to see what you come up with dave. I am a sucker for new gear. I would be cool to see a tear down of the new microscope too.

[VK3DRB]

The ESD matting is next to useless unless it is connected to earth by a press stud and wire. Don't rely on the moisture in the wooden bench top and if the benchtop is lacquered, it won't work too well. Melamine finishing is useless for draining static charge away.

A useful tip is to insert a few studs so you can connect a wrist strap at different points along the way, towards the rear because they tend to get in the way near the front. Anyone who had had to work with expensive lasers will know how ESD can ruin your day. And despite the urban myth, electronic components can be damaged by office ESD. It is not worth the risk. Invest in a wrist strap.

Heel straps are next to useless unless you have a clean ESD CONDUCTIVE floor and don't have hairy legs.

[pickle9000]

Sorry, yes you need a ground point just not one every few inches.

[VK3DRB]

Dave's bench top sports a large area and good shelves. Very nice. But like having station wagon, it takes discipline not to fill it up with rubbish. Storing stuff underneath is OK providing you can get to everything without moving anything and it does not interfere with your legs.

It appears most of the instruments are not fixed and therefore are not plugged into the mains. If that is the case, the less used equipment might as well be stored in a compactus. I have found keeping the rear of a desk at least a mains plug width away from the wall is a good idea so that mains cables can easily be added and removed. Excess main cable lengths should be cable tied neatly. There is nothing worse than a rats nest of mains cables. Mains cables can have colour adhesive tags added at each end to identify which cable IEC plug belongs to which mains plug. Alternatively, an array of convenient mains sockets could be installed at the bench. The rule is: an extension cord should never be needed at an electronics bench.

[EEVblog]

I was wondering what is the height of the work bench. Also what is the dimensions of the shelving.

Shelving is the discontinued Broder system from Ikea, freestanding.

[EEVblog]

Alternatively, an array of convenient mains sockets could be installed at the bench. The rule is: an extension cord should never be needed at an electronics bench.

I have 60 mains outlets spread out under the bench.

[VK3DRB]

If you spend 8 hour a day in bed, you need a good bed. If you spend 8 hours a day at the electronics workbench you need a good desk.

A mate invested in an electronically height adjustable work bench with a remote control. It is brilliant. He bought the mechanism and added a new low cost solid door as the bench top. So he often stands at his workbench. Also depending upon the height of what he is working on, he just adjusts the bench. BRILLIANT.

Maybe Dave could add one of these to his arsenal...

http://www.stretchnow.com.au/furniture/height-adjustable-desks

[hikariuk]

If you don't like the mat overhanging the front of the bench, how about pulling the bench out a bit so the overhang is in the rear?

Or he could just trim the edge off.