Hey. Thanks for the great setup ideas. Over the years as a subcriber, I've collected alot of equipment. Not all pieces of equipment fit nicely together and keeping them all reachable to the workbench ive had to redesign a portion of my kitchen to surmice my needs. I really wish i had a basement or separate building all together. I remember being jealous of other peoples setups. Now my setup can compete with most any shops. IMSAI truly you are an inspiration. Thanks for all you do.

To clean my silicone mat, I usually just take a bit of duct tape (or electrical tape, etc) and press it onto the area to be cleaned -- works great - especially for trimmed component wire ends. I use this sparingly for environmental reasons, but it works very well.

I understand the frustration. I use a hand vacuum, and squirt alcohol to wipe it down, which picks up all sorts of little bits that stick to it. I like the fact that components don't bounce off of it, saves crawling around on the floor trying to find that item. Great Video btw.

I have same silicone mat, and I agree that it is hard to clean, but also dealing with small SMD parts it is really good that it is "sticky" and small parts does not fly away

I use a couple of these silicone mats. A big one on my soldering bench and a smaller one of my main bench, but I only use them for soldering. To clean them up I pick them up folded and tip them into a trash can.

What I tend to use on my soldering desk is a piece of cardboard - it's easy to sweep the component legs and bits of random crap off of into the garbage, it protects the desk surface from solder and flux, and the best, it's free and disposable - once it gets too nasty, chuck it out and put down a new piece of cardboard! It's also really easy to write notes, or pinouts, or other random things on!

I like work on ceramic tile, 18x18inch, no trouble with soldering, no trouble with heat from electronic device, ceramic have some heat disipation capacity, no sticky like silicon and electrical safe for HV. Is heavy, the tile dont move, is easy to find in renovation store, color and finish are your choice!

Sorry but it's an ESD mat for me all the way. I put up with it getting a few solder burns before it gets replaced. Can't see the point of paying good money for parts and risk killing them with static. but then having worked in ESD safe environments for so long it feels strange not to do so at my own bench.

Problem with silicon mats is that the silicon oils on them contaminate surfaces, prevents conformal coatings, glues and tapes from sticking. In my work lab had to ban the silicon wrist bands, we had a problem with glues not sticking, found a NASA report where they had the same problem, they also banned the silicon wrist bands. Also long term exposure to silicon oil is not good for you.

yes, exactly my point. There is no sweeping on silicone, it charges static and attracts lightweight things like paper, tapes, dust and particles. There is only taking it under the shower preferably with soap, and then it is clean, but all the stuff sitting on it has to go somewhere every time to clean it. Dries super easy though (: To manupulate tiny things on it one have to use tweezers. And stupid flat sheet is a lot more handy than all those purposely-formed ones.

Hi Imsai, I have an ESD mat for the entire worktop, I have this silicone mat in a small format (I don't remember the exact size - I'm not at my workplace, but the size corresponds to A5 paper size) and I only use it when needed. It's also made in gray and that shouldn't affect the automatic white balance (my ESD pad is gray so I chose silicone blue - for contrast, but I don't shoot videos so it doesn't matter) part of my workplace is an integrated vacuum cleaner for small machine tools, so cleaning is easy. Nice day 🙂 Tom

I run an university workshop. Cleaning that mat is not that hard: 1. Brush off all small stuff into the bin using a hand broom (after removing the valuables ofc) 2. Rinse with water and brush 3. Clean once with isopropanol if there is especially stuborn residue Alternatively you could throw them in the dishwasher (just don't have one at work) works pretty well. Ideally not with your dishes tho.

My wife bought me a silicone mat from a kitchen store. It is black, completely flat, and hasn’t been affected by heat, so far. Since it is flat, I can use a piece of masking tape to quickly grab up my mess of tiny bits.

I've seen lots of these on KZfaqrs' benches and always wondered why they're so popular. People never seem to use the little compartments, and the mat makes for a very uneven surface. I use a heavy duty plastic sheet designed as a carpet protector (for use under swivel chairs). As this is see-through, I can keep data, formulae, op amp configurations etc. visible underneath.

Another issue is that folks think that silicone mats are ESD mats (Electrostatic discharge) mats. They are not. They are heat resistant, for soldering. They are not static controlled. They are not tied to Earth ground, in any manner.

I cut mine into pieces- the compartments stay all the time for SMD parts and small hardware like screws I’m using right now. The rest of the mat I cut in half for soldering with the hot air station as a heat insulation/ anti slip mat on top of my ESD mat. It’s flexible and not in the way if I don’t need it.

I’m always frustrated by the self-inflicted clutter on my workbench. These photos of yours make me feel much better! I also have one of those silicon mats but the issues with it hadn’t bubbled up to my conscious mind yet. Now that you point out the associated peeves, I may follow your lead. Especially the one about it being hard to clean. I actually do have a hand vacuum that I use for that, but I always worry that I may have missed a precious chip or two before I vacuum it.

I use an oven mat, the kind that goes in the bottom to help keep it clean. They are really thin, slippery, and can be rolled up to store. Very cheap too.

I have two silicone mats, but without these small cavities only big ones at upper side.. Works great and cleaning is easy. One mat is always on bench, covering section of ESD mat, other is under the microscope. I don't complain about my mats.. 😂

Love it! I have a thin silicon mat my wife got for christmas from the Kids which is supposed to be used in the oven for baking Cookies.

Silly-cone rubber mat... Nice and big. Mine is A4 size and I use it for SMD work. It's indispensable. Thanks for the nice lab mini-tour BTW.

I have a dark blue anti-static mat that is grounded to house ground at an outlet. I have carpet and a static generator chair so the mat is essential. It is easy to clean. For soldering, I used paper that was replaced periodically. But it could burn when soldering on it - I would tape wire and a device in place - was faster than using a vice or clip. I tried a smaller silicone mat to replace the paper and it works well. Some thought it was an insulator so bad for static issues but I tested it. I could produce static by rotating on the chair 5 times and an arc occurred by touching the anti-static mat. When I touched the silicone mat no shock occurred - I would immediately touch the anti-static mat and no shock. Alternated between just the anti-static mat and silicone/anti-static mat with repeated results so I concluded the silicone mat conducts the static to the anti-static mat and is safe to use. If the silicone mat is not on an anti-static mat then that could be an issue as any insulating table surface would be. To clean, I either vacuum, shake or wash it. Being small I can easily do so. I don't use it to store screws or things on. I have a little USB charged vacuum handy with a rectangular nozzle, perfect for sucking debris out of a project case, table or from the floor.

Have one of this. Stopped using it once I realized it builds a lot of static charge. One day it started pulling the hairs off my arm. Replaced it with a real anti-static mat. It is not as heat resistant as this one, but the static build-up stopped.

I use one on occasion, but have my bench covered with a Bertech 2059S soldering mat and keep loose parts in ESD trays or whatever. Not a cheap setup, but the mat is cheaper than several of the components I work with and is significantly cheaper than the surface it protects. The silicone sheets are for when I get down and dirty with the victims I don't think would mind getting a bit rough on the static insulator. (I mainly use it as a cutting board of sorts and things like that)

The man-cave is growing... Be careful though, it can easily get out of hand! In time, the IMSAI Wife will regret gifting you that extra rack as it slowly consumes the whole garage then leaks into the house. Trust me, I've been there. Great video as always :)

A sheet of leather shiny side up has been on my bench for the last ten years or so. It works well in so many ways compared to the alternatives. Ones personal work process is an individual choice of course.

I generally agree with you on the pros and cons of those silicone mats. They're super practical for projects, and good to keep assorted parts in control and not sliding around all over the place, and heck, they're not that great to keep clean. But there's one down side you pointed out I think you're just mistaken. The white balance issue. White balance is, and should have always been, about the Light source, and never about the subject. The fact that cameras have auto white balance is just a "plus" of the cameras, that gives them versatility when you're using them in non-controlled environments. But, in an indoor setup, with studio lighting, you should NEVER be using auto white-balance. You should set a fixed white-balance that's accurate for your light source, or a few presets for different light sources you may have and that's it. We're in the 21st century and you should never be worrying about NTSC anymore (never twice the same color 😅).

I got one just like that earlier last year. I was working on the HP8711 as per your video and needed an anti-static mat. It was a bit small but did the job. It is hard to clean so since I live in the basement to play with my toys, so it went to the service sink for a good scrubbing. That did the job and now it's hanging on the wall waiting for some other fun project.

I agree I bought one as well and it keeps collecting dust and keeps slipping under my keyboard. They were really made for cellphone repair shops.

Thanks for the review. I have just used a flat sheet of cork as a work surface. Just shake of into the trash can under my bench as needed. 73

I've been thinking that those mats are wonderful... Good to hear the downsides from someone who's tried and didn't like it...

I always worry that I am disorganized and I have a mess.🥺 Now I looked at your shack and calmed down.😇

I use a real high tech solution. I use the back of a picture frame. It’s compressed paper board. The only bad thing is it burns if you hold your iron to it for a period of time.

I must give a big warning for this. My silicone mat from weller is extremely static. Some 0603 components even stands up just by placing them on the mat when the mat is placed upon an esd-mat. I agree that the many pockets for sorting components are great but I can say that I will NEVER place any circuitboards on this mat.

I had a similar experience and switched to an ESD mat. Still not as easy to sweep off as bare benchtop, but much better than silicone. I use a lint roller to pick up micro crufties and it works great.

I had one for a while, but it has been moved to my RF bench for all of the reasons you mentioned.

Probably non-conductive too!

Those mats are perfect to kill mosfets microcontrollers and all kind of sensitive electronic stuff

I find that a swiffter duster works to get bits and pieces off the mat.

100k sub. Congrats

Thanks for that, I'm just in the process of choosing a new antistatic mat, it's going to be the standard garden green type now!, although that one you have could've been super useful in my old job of digital camera engineer.

If you like the little compartments for elements you might consider the mini ice cube mats made of silicon. Some have up to 160 slots, but still they are easy to fill and hard to empty. Maybe return compartments for groups or types of elements left over from the old projects might help. Still some people have to many of them filled with things hard to throw away. Baking mats of silicon are available in different colors. Maybe you can convince your visitors that the mat has bleached.

Silicone mat are easy to clean, just a brush, and some IPA

I like the one I have. You have to use your Dyson vacuum and alcohol to clean it.

Thank you for this. I would be interested in a report comparing and contrasting the blue silicone mats VS those green-topped stiff-vinyl-like paper cutting mats (the ones with the angle lines printed on them), with respect to usefulness as soldering mats in electronics workshops.

Had one already years ago. They now make cheap Silicone PLACEMATS !!!

Place an A3 cutting mat in the centre of your silicone monstrosity. The hard surface of the cutting mat doesn't tend to stick to anything, and of course you can slash away on top of it without damaging it. Not sure if it would be white balance friendly though.

I have two of those, love them.

This silicone mats are really bad about the triboelectric effect. Every rub and they develop thousands of volts of surface charge. Not too good for ESD safety

The are great for soldering but the clipping are a problem. I discovered the way to sweep them off. Flood them with some IPA -- this releases the stick allowing a paper towel or rag wipe the junk off.

Small garbage can be removed with a sticky roller. White balance should simply be blocked in the cam settings, if the type of lighting is constant, then it should not be automatic.

Merci, may be you can do a lab tour with all your instruments.

The color blue and cameras................bright blue will will flare in the optics pretty badly.....I remember as a broadcast engineer, having to drop the blue black level down on the old plumbicon cameras when the weatherman was on the chromakey set. It was painted with Pittsburgh Paints Chroma-Key Blue (yes, that is an actual color). The intense blue of the set would make it look like the weatherman was wearing a blue suit when he was wearing black or dark brown. Ya know, they say that blue paint on your roof will protect you from space lightning! Who knew!

I thought you were going to complain about it not being static dissipative. I use the same style mat but in a larger size (everything is bigger in Texas). The ability to handle any temperature without damage is a plus. It is hard to clean, but IPA works and I always vaccuum because I don't want to be tracking heavy metals around the house. I don't do videos so the white balance issue was a surprise. Congrats on 100K subscribers!

Maybe you could take a blade and cut out the middles work section. Whenever you need it, you can bring it and place it in and the storage part of the mat will keep it in place. when you don't need to use it or clean it, you can take it out. That way your silicone organizer stays but the pain points go away

For those little nasty bits of component clipings you can use magnets especially those from dead hard drives (Which are useful for all sorts) . For the colour balance you can lock these or even stick /paint some colours on a few of those screw cubbies to get a reference ..doesnt need to be a reference standard as long as you have some refeernce to work from.. can all be done in post ;-)

Is that a aluminum foil hat behind your microscope? I use a silicone mat (with a steel plate underneath for magnets to stick to). You're right they're a PITA to clean. I wash mine in the sink to clean it often. Mine is grey which would be perfect for white balance on a camera, although that's got nothing to do with why I picked grey. Also, IMO yours has too many features. Mine has some magnetic cubbies across the top but the rest of it is just a flat area. The mats are super cheap, often around ten bucks. They don't respond well to cyanoacrylate.

Quite right, It's not a proper bench unless you have solder/burn marks......;-)

I agree with the challenge of cleaning the mat. I use alcohol wipes and a small vacuum.

maybe cut out the center portion of the mat?

using an amscope se400-z on this mat is a nightmare.

I've always wondered what sort of ESD hazards those silicone mats cause.. I've got a smaller one that I pull out if I have some "extreme" soldering, like large lugs or something.. but otherwise, it seems get dirty or gunky and is hard to clean up. Seems like a good idea, but in practice it gets sort of shoved out of the way..

They sell these in red, black, grey, and blue.

I have that exact mat. I love it.

Before tossing the mat could you test for esd effectiveness? I have a similar mat that came with a ground adapter/wire that seems effective in discharging sparks caused from a low humidity environment. Also, spray bottle window cleaner works very well to make the surface like new. The thing that scares me is having concealed magnets on your work surface. What is the danger if an SD card or other magnetic sensitive component is placed on top?

Would be interested about ESD. How good or bad is it even when not official ESD product...

I do the SAME thing with my acro bins!!! ✌

Recently on Kerry Wong's channel he did a quick test on the very same silicone mat and it turns out it is not exactly ESD safe (better than a random plastic bag but worse than a properly grounded ESD mat). kzfaq.info/get/bejne/irWghpxh2amsg5c.html

Just use another color, and a simple mat if you don't need all the accessories 😉

A small hand vacuum cleaner ?

But it matches the screen colour of your Tektronix scope :-)

Use a lint roller on it.

use a magnet to pick up your resistor legs the blue is a problem then yea remove from camera view thanks for chip of the day s

For cleaning the lead clippings ... magnets!

I have seen this advertised as "anti-static" but I have my doubts about Ch-inja manufacturing.

First