Reddit reviews StarTech.com Anti-Static Mat - 25” x 27.5” Electrical Grounding Desk Pad - For Home or Work - Beige (M3013)

Man I know this isn't your question but I can't remember the last time I used a wrist band, hell, I don't think I've seen a professional use a wristband in the past 10 years.

Personally, with components being more much resistant to static discharge, I don't think it's necessary, I handle bare components all the time and have never had an issue.

but if you're intent on being extra careful, or you're working with sensitive components you can clip it to your case, the hard drive rack, the metal frame, just about anywhere that's metal, it needn't be bare metal either, the painted metal will do just fine, all the electricity is looking for is a place to run to, and trust me, the painted metal in your case is plenty conductive enough for that.

Some people will buy anti-static mats that have a little metal clip for your wristband, like this:

http://smile.amazon.com/StarTech-com-24x27-5-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H?sa-no-redirect=1

If you want to be extra-paranoid-super-careful, I'd do that.

Looks like a cable that goes on an anti static mat to ground yourself. So you don’t shock an electrical component like a circuit board on a computer.
https://www.amazon.com/d/Electronics-Accessories-Supplies/24x27-5in-Beige-Desktop-Anti-Static-Mat/B00009XT3H

I am not sure when the attitude to anti-static precautions shifted; I don't use straps any more, but I do use mats that are clipped onto the device etc. I am not sure if you would even feel it if you produced a static discharge large enough to impact your work? (I honestly don't know) I guess it is not a big deal if a phone board or a MB is unknowingly sacrificed, but it would suck if someone was working on hard to replace board (old manufacturing controllers etc).

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I really like your setup, and I didn't even know those blue mats existed!

Anti Static Matt

Invest in a static pad for your build space and connect it to a ground. Better safe than sorry.

static mat on amazon

No problem!

I'm in the same boat man. I've been fucked by the DMV for 2 years now so I still don't have a license, and I'm 20. I'm pretty jealous of people that have the coordination to play instruments!

I understand the money struggle as well. I live on a dead-end island where all jobs are seasonal, so during winter jobs are scarce.

If you are scared about frying parts, you may want to look into getting an ESD mat, an ESD wrist strap, and a proper PC repair toolkit. Just some things every PC builder/user should have in their arsenal. Just follow proper procedure and ground/discharge yourself before working on parts and you'll be fine.

Static electricity. There are however antistatic mats that you can buy such as: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-24x27-5-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-24x27-5-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H

I like your idea of a monitor to watch movies. I put speakers near mine to listen to music while I work.

Well. I make speakers so what can you do...

Get a static discharge MAT for the ground or desk.

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-24x27-5-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-24x27-5-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-24x27-5-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H

$20 bucks is worth it considering most stores will not take back parts damaged by you. Obviously everyone will lie and say "It never worked out of the box" but set their parts on a towel/carpet during the build. You caused the problem and now you have to ship stuff back or spend time going back to the store to replace parts. Spent more time and money then $20 bucks for an anti static mat.

https://www.amazon.com/d/B00009XT3H
use one of these on your desk, connect the clip to something grounded, touch the mat before touching your keyboard

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-24x27-5-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1427807202&sr=8-3&keywords=anti+static+mat

try that for grounding your desktop i have never grounded a desktop before i would look for a mat for your keyboard

as for the ping issue im not sure other than your connection to the router and internet

Ohhhhh, that'll kill a keyboard in a hurry. Try getting ahold of an antistatic mat -- here's one on Amazon -- put that under your keyboard, and always touch that when you sit down at the keyboard before touching the keyboard.

Would getting something like this to have under my PC be a good idea since it's going to be on carpet? I head that having some kind of stand helps with airflow, and I was wondering if this would do the job for that. http://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Com-24X26-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449298535&sr=8-1&keywords=anti+static+mat

Get a small anti static mat maybe?

I'd have her try grounding some other way first just to make sure that is it. I would think touching the computer shell would do it.

Get one of these and one of these and you'll be golden.

I'd get a couple multimeters, definitely flux, solder pumps, breadboards, maybe a vise, some perfboard, and a bunch of resistors/capacitors/common ICs/LEDs/logic chips/header pins/etc.

The components, perfboard, and breadboards you can get from China (via eBay or Tayda) for cheap.

Pliers, wirestrippers, dikes, tweezers, a few helping hands, screwdriver sets, etc are pretty much necessary. Since you're on a budget, you can get a bunch of this stuff from Harbor Freight, it's crappy quality but it'll do the job.

For the mats, you can get antistatic mats on Amazon (I have this on my desk right now, it's fine).

Consider a bench supply, it's not crucial if you're mostly working with Arduinos/Raspis, but could come in handy.

https://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Com-24X26-Inch-Desktop-Anti-Static-M3013/dp/B00009XT3H/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Startech.Com+24X26-Inch+Desktop+Anti-Static+Mat+M3013+%28Beige%29&qid=1566257017&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Battery backup on the rack for your servers.

Scratch the pre-maid cat cables and just learn crimp your own cabling.


Cybertech Cat6, Cat5e RJ-45 8P8C Ethernet Modular Crimp Connectors Plugs Pack of 100 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LG6DQUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_p7Q2AbHFZP2YW

Network Cable Repair Maintenance Tool Kit Set 11 in 1 Portable Phone Cable Crimper 8P8C 4P4C 6P6C Connectors RJ45 RJ11 Cat5 Cat6 Cable Tester https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0756SN86D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_o5Q2AbBW77GFT

I also recommend an anti-static mat if you are a builder:

StarTech.com 24x27.5-Inch Desktop Anti-Static Mat M3013 (Beige) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009XT3H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_e9Q2AbGZVFVJ2

If this is a builder workbench I would also recommend a good surge strip:

Bestten 12 Outlet Heavy Duty Workshop Metal Power Strip Surge Protector, 15-Foot Long Extension Cord, ETL Certified, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074MY384H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_l-Q2AbTXDXJAX

Lastly, how is your lighting in the room?