Soldering mat

[Ngt]

Hi guys!


I'm planning a personal project and I was going through the material I'd need. I'll solder on a wooden table which is not mine by the way (flatmate's) so I don't want to damage it. I'm looking for a soldering mat. Do you guys have used this Alvin mat?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alvin-Professional-Self-Healing-Cutting-Size/dp/B003175770/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424114999&sr=8-1&keywords=alvin+mats


Do you think it could be used for soldering? Would it hold the temperature?


Thanks for your input.

[sethk_]

I am looking for one as well, I might get the one you linked.

[Ngt]

I don't know if it suits the job. If you get it fast enough, I'll be happy to hear your feedback on it.

[DrHubblePhD]

I just solder on top of a huge mousemat I bought lol

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EG7WB8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Ngt]

I just solder on top of a huge mousemat I bought lol

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EG7WB8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I guess you didn't have any problem so far, did you?

[DrHubblePhD]

I just solder on top of a huge mousemat I bought lol

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EG7WB8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I guess you didn't have any problem so far, did you?

Nope.

[Ngt]

I just solder on top of a huge mousemat I bought lol

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EG7WB8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I guess you didn't have any problem so far, did you?

Nope.

Fair enough. Thanks.

[engicoder]

I use a silicone baking mat. Good up to about 600F

http://amzn.com/B001LUYK1I

No problems so far.

[DrHubblePhD]

I use a silicone baking mat. Good up to about 600F

http://amzn.com/B001LUYK1I

No problems so far.

As long as you dont go around stabbing your desk with a soldering iron just about anything will be fine     )

[Evo_Spec]

I live on the edge and solder on top of a cardboard box to protect the table underneath XD

[Joey Quinn]

I solder on my TekMat, if you are holding the soldering tip on your board long enough to damage the mat you've already ****ed the board.

[Parak]

I use rubber ESD mats from an ebay canadian seller. Top notch, and quite hard to burn through. If you don't need ESD protection and don't mind extra friction, silicone baking mats are good as engicoder mentioned.

Warning: Do not use vinyl mats for soldering. They kinda melt.

[Melvang]

This is what I solder on, using the panavise to hold said work.

[Joey Quinn]

Show Image

This is what I solder on, using the panavise to hold said work.

I remember that mat, it weighed a ton! Also it's crazy cool.  :thumb:

[Ngt]

Alright thank you very much for your feedbacks guys. I think I might go with the cheap version which is:



Plus I can find some in my hometown so I wouldn't have to pay shipping fees. It is better for the environment and so on, you know  .


EDIT: If it is more expensive than I imagine, I have a preference for the "Fox Run Silicone Baking Mat".   I'll have to see if I can find it in Europe.

[Fire Brand]

If your still looking for something I usually just solder with one of the Craft cutting mats under and they are pretty cheap too!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amtech-S0530-Am-Tech-Cutting-Mat/dp/B001IOZUHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424172269&sr=8-1&keywords=craft+mat
They usually work well as its thick and you can do pretty much anything on them.

[Ngt]

If your still looking for something I usually just solder with one of the Craft cutting mats under and they are pretty cheap too!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amtech-S0530-Am-Tech-Cutting-Mat/dp/B001IOZUHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424172269&sr=8-1&keywords=craft+mat
They usually work well as its thick and you can do pretty much anything on them.

Cool that's what I was looking for at the beginning. If the option I thought of is more expensive I'll go this one I think. Thank you.

[CPTBadAss]

The one you linked in the OP is the one I use Ngt.

An alternative to that silicone mat is a SilPat. It's used by bakers and cooks so perhaps you can find it in a store that sells cooking ware near you. SilPats are apparently made in France so that might help you.

[vivalarevolución]

This question has been posed here before, and I may have started a thread on it awhile back.  I think those cutting mats will melt rather easily from the soldering iron.  Don't know for sure, I have never used it.

As for the silicone baking mat, considering that the iron is at 700 degrees or more when I use it, that probably will melt to.

There were some anti-static that people would use around here so they did not ruin their electronic components while soldering.  But those will melt at solder iron temperatures, too.  http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=anti+static+mat

For something that will hold up to soldering iron temperatures and be anti-static, it will cost you.  I wish that I could find a link, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.

Or you could not obsess over it and just get those cutting mats.  But this is geekhack, so obsession is inherent.

[SpAmRaY]

See here (and a few posts above and below) -> https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=42824.msg1477948#msg1477948

[CPTBadAss]

As for the silicone baking mat, considering that the iron is at 700 degrees or more when I use it, that probably will melt to.

I solder on my TekMat, if you are holding the soldering tip on your board long enough to damage the mat you've already ****ed the board.

You solder at 700 deg+? That's interesting. If you're using Kester solder, it should be around 650-675 deg in my experience.

Like Joey Quinn said, if you're damaging or melting the mat, you've probably torched the PCB anyways.

I would rather the mat get melty and burned than the surface underneath.

For something that will hold up to soldering iron temperatures and be anti-static, it will cost you.  I wish that I could find a link, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.

Or you could not obsess over it and just get those cutting mats.  But this is geekhack, so obsession is inherent.

Mkawa uses a sheet of Carbon Fiber on his desk. That would work.

Obsessing over something that is essentially sacrificial is a bit silly. Go with the Alvin or SilPat and move on to obsessing over the board.

[engicoder]

As for the silicone baking mat, considering that the iron is at 700 degrees or more when I use it, that probably will melt to.

Actually, silicone rubber melts at around 900F, its recommended working temp is up to 600F. I don't know of a rubber that is commonly available that has a higher working temperature. The baking mats are reinforced with a glass for even more heat resistance.
The timeless solution is thick leather. The iron can mark it but will be unable to burn through it.
If you want something that will absolutely not melt, you'll have to go with some type of glass/silica fabric such as that used in welding blankets (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lyQf_vQnfM)

[Fire Brand]

If your still looking for something I usually just solder with one of the Craft cutting mats under and they are pretty cheap too!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Amtech-S0530-Am-Tech-Cutting-Mat/dp/B001IOZUHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424172269&sr=8-1&keywords=craft+mat
They usually work well as its thick and you can do pretty much anything on them.

Cool that's what I was looking for at the beginning. If the option I thought of is more expensive I'll go this one I think. Thank you.

Ahh right sorry I didn't even read that :X

Also yeah I use those to be honest its never burnt or melted but again if it did you most likely held it to the mat as they are quite thick rubber, as long as you don't just put the iron on the mat and leave it they work fine, and as I said they are pretty thick so it most likely will never burn through

[Melvang]

As for the silicone baking mat, considering that the iron is at 700 degrees or more when I use it, that probably will melt to.

Actually, silicone rubber melts at around 900F, its recommended working temp is up to 600F. I don't know of a rubber that is commonly available that has a higher working temperature. The baking mats are reinforced with a glass for even more heat resistance.
The timeless solution is thick leather. The iron can mark it but will be unable to burn through it.
If you want something that will absolutely not melt, you'll have to go with some type of glass/silica fabric such as that used in welding blankets (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lyQf_vQnfM)

The problem with using those welding blankets is that stuff is worse than fiber glass insulation in regards to getting fibers stuck in your skin and causing a bad itch.  Plus it is very difficult to find it in smaller sizes that would be acceptable for our use.  The typically come in either small-ish tarp sized or on a roll.  I work with those types of welding blankets at my work quite frequently, and they would be very effective at protecting your work surface, but the side effects are not worth it in my opinion.

If price is a very real concern I would go with either a silicone baking sheet or a piece of real leather.

If you have the money to spend and want static safe as well, get in touch with mkawa and ask him about is CF mat.

[Joey Quinn]

As for the silicone baking mat, considering that the iron is at 700 degrees or more when I use it, that probably will melt to.

You solder at 700 deg+? That's interesting. If you're using Kester solder, it should be around 650-675 deg in my experience.

Like Joey Quinn said, if you're damaging or melting the mat, you've probably torched the PCB anyways.

I would rather the mat get melty and burned than the surface underneath.

I set my station to 350C normally, which is about 660F

Mkawa uses a sheet of Carbon Fiber on his desk. That would work.

This sounds sweet, anyone have pictures?

[CPTBadAss]

Mkawa uses a sheet of Carbon Fiber on his desk. That would work.

This sounds sweet, anyone have pictures?

Here's a really bad picture of it but that's all I got. You can kind of see it at the bottom.

[Joey Quinn]

Mkawa uses a sheet of Carbon Fiber on his desk. That would work.

This sounds sweet, anyone have pictures?

Here's a really bad picture of it but that's all I got. You can kind of see it at the bottom.

Show Image

For a reasonable price I'd buy one.

[Ngt]

Thanks guys. I'll have to look into all of these possibilities but Captain caught my attention.

[Parak]

If you have the money to spend and want static safe as well, get in touch with mkawa and ask him about is CF mat.

Carbon fiber is static dissipative? Also, the resin that is used in the CF is likely going to be far less temperature resistant than the CF itself..

[Joey Quinn]

If you have the money to spend and want static safe as well, get in touch with mkawa and ask him about is CF mat.

Carbon fiber is static dissipative? Also, the resin that is used in the CF is likely going to be far less temperature resistant than the CF itself..

I think it's weave without resin, so it's still like a fabric. Also gotta have that CF swag bro.

[vivalarevolución]

As for the silicone baking mat, considering that the iron is at 700 degrees or more when I use it, that probably will melt to.

I solder on my TekMat, if you are holding the soldering tip on your board long enough to damage the mat you've already ****ed the board.

You solder at 700 deg+? That's interesting. If you're using Kester solder, it should be around 650-675 deg in my experience.

Like Joey Quinn said, if you're damaging or melting the mat, you've probably torched the PCB anyways.

I would rather the mat get melty and burned than the surface underneath.

For something that will hold up to soldering iron temperatures and be anti-static, it will cost you.  I wish that I could find a link, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.

Or you could not obsess over it and just get those cutting mats.  But this is geekhack, so obsession is inherent.

Mkawa uses a sheet of Carbon Fiber on his desk. That would work.

Obsessing over something that is essentially sacrificial is a bit silly. Go with the Alvin or SilPat and move on to obsessing over the board.

Looks like I'm soldering at a bit too high of a temperature.  That explains a lot.

Obsessiveness tends to not be selective.  Where to turn it off is completely subjective.  But good point.

[Joey Quinn]

As for the silicone baking mat, considering that the iron is at 700 degrees or more when I use it, that probably will melt to.

I solder on my TekMat, if you are holding the soldering tip on your board long enough to damage the mat you've already ****ed the board.

You solder at 700 deg+? That's interesting. If you're using Kester solder, it should be around 650-675 deg in my experience.

Like Joey Quinn said, if you're damaging or melting the mat, you've probably torched the PCB anyways.

I would rather the mat get melty and burned than the surface underneath.

For something that will hold up to soldering iron temperatures and be anti-static, it will cost you.  I wish that I could find a link, but nothing comes to mind at the moment.

Or you could not obsess over it and just get those cutting mats.  But this is geekhack, so obsession is inherent.

Mkawa uses a sheet of Carbon Fiber on his desk. That would work.

Obsessing over something that is essentially sacrificial is a bit silly. Go with the Alvin or SilPat and move on to obsessing over the board.

Looks like I'm soldering at a bit too high of a temperature.  That explains a lot.

Obsessiveness tends to not be selective.  Where to turn it off is completely subjective.  But good point.

Why did you turn up the temp? If you were having flow issues  higher quality solder or some flux will help.

[tjcaustin]

I just used a polyurethane sealer over the mdf topper on my desk.  But then, I apparently solder at a lot colder temps than you guys.  I run 555f unless I'm soldering 3.5/6.3mm ends.

[vivalarevolución]

Well, the default temperature on the iron was like 700, and I was having some flow issues, so I pumped up the temp.  Some higher quality solder probably would help, I just bought what was at Fry's when i purchased the soldering iron.

[Joey Quinn]

Well, the default temperature on the iron was like 700, and I was having some flow issues, so I pumped up the temp.  Some higher quality solder probably would help, I just bought what was at Fry's when i purchased the soldering iron.

Try this, also as CPT said 650-675 is pretty ideal, I use 660. Also if you use flux make sure to clean the PCB with pure isopropyl, some flux (there are a few types) can corrode contacts over time if left on the board. 
http://www.amazon.com/Kester-Rosin-Core-Solder-Dispense-Pak/dp/B00AYJ0B7Y/ref=sr_1_9?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1424203585&sr=1-9

[vivalarevolución]

Well, the default temperature on the iron was like 700, and I was having some flow issues, so I pumped up the temp.  Some higher quality solder probably would help, I just bought what was at Fry's when i purchased the soldering iron.

Try this, also as CPT said 650-675 is pretty ideal, I use 660. Also if you use flux make sure to clean the PCB with pure isopropyl, some flux (there are a few types) can corrode contacts over time if left on the board. 
http://www.amazon.com/Kester-Rosin-Core-Solder-Dispense-Pak/dp/B00AYJ0B7Y/ref=sr_1_9?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1424203585&sr=1-9

Yea, thanks, I generally only use flux for desoldering components that I will toss in the electronic waste rubbish bin, I don't find it necessary for soldering, that's for sure.

[Joey Quinn]

Yea, thanks, I generally only use flux for desoldering components that I will toss in the electronic waste rubbish bin, I don't find it necessary for soldering, that's for sure.

I only really use flux for soldering finicky smt parts and desoldering. 

[Ngt]

Yea, thanks, I generally only use flux for desoldering components that I will toss in the electronic waste rubbish bin, I don't find it necessary for soldering, that's for sure.

I only really use flux for soldering finicky smt parts and desoldering.

What is flux?

[njbair]

Flux is goo. It covers components from outside, air which would otherwise cause oxidation at high temperatures. The most important result is a reduced risk of cold joints.

[Joey Quinn]

What is flux?

It's a rosin that you apply when soldering to help the metal flow better. Rosin core solder already has flux in it. The reason you may need flux is that it evaporates/ burns when you're soldering which is why solder seems to stiffen if you keep heating it up. It's really helpful for desoldering and for getting really small drops of solder to flow.

[Joey Quinn]

Flux is goo. It covers components from outside, air which would otherwise cause oxidation at high temperatures. The most important result is a reduced risk of cold joints.

AFAIK it only prevents oxidation while you're soldering, which does reduce cold joints. But you should still clean off remaining flux because most (more of it is corrosive than isn't) of it is corrosive and will damage the board over time.

[fknraiden]

I use a silicone baking mat. Good up to about 600F

http://amzn.com/B001LUYK1I

No problems so far.

As long as you dont go around stabbing your desk with a soldering iron just about anything will be fine     )

I was doing some work and a tiny flake shot off and landed with on a cap and burned it. Probably shouldn't have had caps so close

[fknraiden]

Flux is goo. It covers components from outside, air which would otherwise cause oxidation at high temperatures. The most important result is a reduced risk of cold joints.

AFAIK it only prevents oxidation while you're soldering, which does reduce cold joints. But you should still clean off remaining flux because most (more of it is corrosive than isn't) of it is corrosive and will damage the board over time.

Could you possibly elaborate on that? I'm pretty sure I saw that my solder was safe to leave on, but if not I'd like to clean it off before leaving it on for too long or selling it. It was kester(sp?) 63/37. Got it from geekhackers

[Joey Quinn]

Flux is goo. It covers components from outside, air which would otherwise cause oxidation at high temperatures. The most important result is a reduced risk of cold joints.

AFAIK it only prevents oxidation while you're soldering, which does reduce cold joints. But you should still clean off remaining flux because most (more of it is corrosive than isn't) of it is corrosive and will damage the board over time.

Could you possibly elaborate on that? I'm pretty sure I saw that my solder was safe to leave on, but if not I'd like to clean it off before leaving it on for too long or selling it. It was kester(sp?) 63/37. Got it from geekhackers

If it says you can leave it on you should be fine. The only flux I use that requires cleaning is the stuff I use at work. Also I use Kester 44 but I still clean it to make the solder job look nicer.

[Ngt]

Thanks for the information.

[vivalarevolución]

So what mat are you gonna get?

[Ngt]

So what mat are you gonna get?

I have no clue so far. I have far too many choices and I have other stuff to buy first. Especially some storage unit because I have a tiny room and it is starting to have to many stuff laying around. I don't like it. Plus when I'll be buying all the tools needed for my DIY project, I need to be able to put them somewhere. I looked for some 2nd hand stuff tonight. Once it is bought, I'll look more into the soldering mat.

As of now, what I am thinking is that I want something that doesn't require delivery. I'll see what I can find the closest to me and if there is nothing in my town, I'll reconsider ordering online. However I want to thank you guys, I didn't expect so many answers and so many choices given. I'll make sure to give you update of what I decide to buy.

[vivalarevolución]

So what mat are you gonna get?

I have no clue so far. I have far too many choices and I have other stuff to buy first. Especially some storage unit because I have a tiny room and it is starting to have to many stuff laying around. I don't like it. Plus when I'll be buying all the tools needed for my DIY project, I need to be able to put them somewhere. I looked for some 2nd hand stuff tonight. Once it is bought, I'll look more into the soldering mat.

As of now, what I am thinking is that I want something that doesn't require delivery. I'll see what I can find the closest to me and if there is nothing in my town, I'll reconsider ordering online. However I want to thank you guys, I didn't expect so many answers and so many choices given. I'll make sure to give you update of what I decide to buy.

Ha!  Sounds like we only confused you more.

[Ngt]

So what mat are you gonna get?

I have no clue so far. I have far too many choices and I have other stuff to buy first. Especially some storage unit because I have a tiny room and it is starting to have to many stuff laying around. I don't like it. Plus when I'll be buying all the tools needed for my DIY project, I need to be able to put them somewhere. I looked for some 2nd hand stuff tonight. Once it is bought, I'll look more into the soldering mat.

As of now, what I am thinking is that I want something that doesn't require delivery. I'll see what I can find the closest to me and if there is nothing in my town, I'll reconsider ordering online. However I want to thank you guys, I didn't expect so many answers and so many choices given. I'll make sure to give you update of what I decide to buy.

Ha!  Sounds like we only confused you more.

No I don't think so. I'm looking for the cheapest effective method. So I'll just go through the options and select the one which fits the criteria the best.