Best esd supplies for labs according to redditors

I guess this probably works but why not just wear a grounding strap?

https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Static-Wrist-Strap-Grounding-Adjustable/dp/B002O6U65W

Yes. There are devices made specifically for this used in electronics manufacturing all the time. Generally it'll be a wrist strap (or foot strap) that is conductive and plugs into a ground to discharge static continuously, but if you just want to avoid getting shocked you simply need to move the point of discharge away from your body. Holding onto a conductive (non-grounded) object like a steel rod and touching that rod to a conductive, grounded surface will discharge the static but you shouldn't feel anything since the discharge is between the two conductive surfaces and not your skin and something else.

It's called a cordless ESD strap!

I usually just slip the board back into the ESD bag it came in before storing it. If you managed to buy a board without an ESD bag, you can pick some up pretty cheaply on Amazon.

Other than that, I've not taken much precaution while working with dev boards (though I do refuse to hand a board directly to someone else if we're not both grounded--I always set it on a table and make them pick it up) and, in 16 years, I've never damaged one with ESD. However, I consider myself lucky. If you live someplace especially dry or you seem to be especially static-prone or you're working with boards that you absolutely cannot afford to fry, then you might buy an ESD mat and grounding strap to use when handling your boards. Here's an option from Amazon (first search result, you might look around a bit before purchasing): https://www.amazon.com/Bertech-Wrist-Strap-Grounding-0-093/dp/B00O0Q03KM

For storage though, an ESD bag should be more than sufficient.

wear a grounding strap when installing parts

They sell anti-static mats, like this. That being said putting the motherboard on the box that it came in to install the CPU is fine. The GPU can go on top of its box and everything else can either be left in its packaging or on the desk/table until you need it. Just don't put it on the floor.

I use the Mechanix M-pact framer gloves. They have great knuckle protection, D3o palm padding, phenomenal grip and I like the fact that they have cut off fingers for better brake feel.

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They make the same glove in a full finger model too.

Ground yourself on the case before touching anything, don't work on a carpeted floor, and if you want to be particularly cautious, get a grounding strap like:
https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Static-Wrist-Strap-Grounding-Adjustable/dp/B002O6U65W

[Found them on Amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/Mechanix-M-Pact-Coyote-Impact-Protection/dp/B007ZFNDAC/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1510103692&sr=8-16&keywords=mechanix+mpact+gloves)

[Found similar ones on Amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/Mechanix-Wear-Leather-M-Pact-Gloves/dp/B01EOWA180/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1510103692&sr=8-7&keywords=mechanix+mpact+gloves)

[Ebay] (https://www.ebay.com/itm/MECHANIX-M-PACT-MENS-GLOVES-WEAR-MILITARY-AIRSOFT-TACTICAL-HUNTING/152653779588?var=452180682582&epid=1212359226&hash=item238adfd284:g:KTEAAOSwOAZZiE5-)

[Ebay again] (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mechanix-Wear-Mpact-Gloves-Brand-New-with-Free-Shipping/162167169538?var=461140304386&hash=item25c1eaa202:g:L5QAAOSwU-pXrfCN)

Yeah, when you think about it, there is no need to plug something into the main outlet if you are discharging, even if you only want ground. When working on old electronics of unknown status, never leave it to chance. Also, the outlet ground should be confirmed to connect to true earth ground.

But anyway here's a safer device than attaching the wall plate screw: https://www.amazon.com/StaticTek-Adapter-Universal-Connection-Unbreakable/dp/B071J61CSV

ESD wrist straps are usually something like a megohm to ground so that there is enough of the path to discharge any static buildup, but not enough current to kill you should something go wrong. If you work on live equipment and have a short to ground on one arm and touch something with the other, the current path goes straight across your chest. Here, $1.73 for a strap If you want to make one you need 1 megohm resistor to put between your body and the ground.

Wiki

It is a good idea in general to open things up and clean them if you spill stuff into them. However, I would look up some youtube videos of people working on your particular model. I haven't opened a MacBook in years, but some laptops can be a real pain. You'll want to make sure you have the right tools and a backup computer in case things go south and you have to take it in somewhere. Definitely back up your data if you can.

As far ESD stuff, you can buy a wrist strap and mat on Amazon for about $25.

http://www.amazon.com/Velleman-AS9-Anti-Static-Field-Service/dp/B004XZQ30Y

Plug the mat into the third prong of a grounded outlet. Then set the laptop on the mat and put on the wrist strap. After you open the laptop, be sure to touch an exposed metal screw in there or the metal case before starting work. This will ensure the laptop is at ground potential. When you pull the motherboard or any components from the laptop, set them on the mat.

You can clean the laptop with isopropyl alcohol and or distilled water. Alcohol is nice because it dries fast. Just get in there with some q-tips and start scrubbing. Of course, not too hard. The tiny surface mount components can come off if you press too hard or if they're corroded. Just make sure that if something does break loose, you know exactly where it came from. One good trick for gently cleaning big messes is to dump a good bit of alcohol on the board, then spray it off with a can of air. Just be careful to keep from getting any microphones or speakers wet. It's also not good to leave a board wet for too long. They can warp.

These are what I bought:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LTXYXW

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00880BAJE

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00880B9TA

The first one is really a must-have for cleaning heatsinks, since the bristles are long.

To answer your question, I've built almost every PC on carpet, with socks on, while getting struck by lightning. I've NEVER had a problem.

Here's why I'm an idiot, it only takes one time to have a really bad day. It's worth the small price for :

https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Static-Components-SourceTon-Grounding-Electronic/dp/B07BXS5TFT/ref=asc_df_B07BXS5TFT/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241979032071&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13666845083850025298&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9060263&hvtargid=pla-443206801190&psc=1

Thanks to everyone for your help. Build successful.

I'm not the greatest at cable management but I'm pleased that I was able to put it together. Had a minor issue with screen not being detected, but I swapped the RAM around different slots and removed CMOS battery, then restarted the machine. It works! :)

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AvpXpL3BxCWHotlpnjWy10V7h6VPSw

Tools I utilized:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bUghCx9iso
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DM0E7BM/

It stands for Moisture Barrier Bags.

A magnetic screw driver set helps out a lot.

I got this one

An ESD mat
and wrist strap are strongly recommended, though not required. There are other ways to ensure that you're grounded.

Thermal paste Along with some >90% alcohol to clean off the old thermal paste if needed.

And lots of patience. I assembled and disassembled my PC multiple times until I was happy with my cable management.

Do you have other ISPs in the area? I might try switching providers. The only other option I can think of is this thing electrostatic eliminator

Well normally the pins are inserted into a square cut out of lightweight foam that provides some cushioning. I'm not sure if the foam is a special type of anti-static foam though.

The best thing would be to find one of the hard-shell plastic cases that CPU's come in (or a similar plastic case), as the foam is probably not critical, whereas you really want to have that tight-fitting case.


EDIT: Apparently you can get anti-static foam:

http://www.amazon.com/FOAM-CONDUCTIVE-ANTI-STATIC-INCH-x12/dp/B00B88717I

Here is the plastic case:

http://www.amazon.com/Computer-CPU-Packaging-ClamShell-Container/dp/B00I61322S/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1414333035&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=cpu+clamshell

It claims "100% perfect fit, no need to add ESD foam"

This stuff??

http://www.amazon.com/Desco-Reztore-Topical-Antistat-Capacity/dp/B005BTA7XU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333896030&sr=8-1

Get an antistatic wrist strap from amazon.

US: http://www.amazon.com/Static-Wrist-Strap-Discharge-Grounding/dp/B00530GDHG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1409079935&sr=8-3&keywords=antistatic+wrist+strap

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anti-Static-Wrist-Strap-Grounding-Discharge/dp/B004XBBYSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409079970&sr=8-1&keywords=antistatic+wrist+strap

Then watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB5a3mSElSw

Do more expensive ESD bands mean more protection over a cheaper one or are they all the same? How much does a $1 ESD wrist wrap vary from a $5 band or even a $85 strap? Will the $5 wrap have added protection than the $1 band or is $85 the best choice? I have never purchased a ESD band so I don't know what to get. Thanks!

The first one assumes you'll attach a grounding wire to it (you'll see rolls of this stuff for covering spaces of different sizes, add your own ground). The second one includes it.

This on Amazon check out Bertech, though I just saw this one and it looks like a neat starter, especially if you're in the field.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004XZQ30Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481109514&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=esd+mat&dpPl=1&dpID=41ns6LQRGbL&ref=plSrch

You will look insane but you can use one of these you wear the bracelet and attach the lead to a ground source. People use them for working on electronics where the discharge could cause damage.

I recommend these for the winter. It'd be a little tough to do muscle ups with them due to the extra grip provided but your hands and fingers will feel like summer.

you can constantly wear a grounding strap like this

https://www.amazon.ca/Anti-Static-Wrist-Strap-Grounding-Adjustable/dp/B002O6U65W

But i build PC's all the time and I have never used a grounding strap. Whats more important is to make sure you don't produce statics. Don't wear socks and run over carpet for example. You can always ground yourself by touching, for example, a heat radiator or the grounding part in an electrical outled.

Get an anti-static ground strap.

So what I would do is get a piece of magnetic imaging film [1] and survey the desk area for fields. Besides that I would introduce an insulator, for any development board I work on, I have used those green craft boards [2] which are seem to be great insulators. You might also try using a wrist connected grounding strap [3]. If there are any electrical posts built into the table, unplug them, and inspect the insulators and neutral & ground runs.



[1] https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Viewing-Film-Field-Display/dp/B00129CCGS


[2] https://www.amazon.com/Hobby-Craft-Double-Healing-Cutting/dp/B00GEKIM8W


[3] https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Static-Wrist-Strap-Grounding-Adjustable/dp/B002O6U65W

I've built 5 PCs without a wrist strap, but some people swear by them, and they're definitely the safest option. Your best bet would be an online retailer. They are super-cheap (generally <$5, and here's one for <$2), but look kind of silly imo.

Yes, it is a real risk! But prevention is easy, just keep touching the case or any other metallic object every few minutes (with very high-end components I get OCD and do it every 2-3 mins).

I also just bought a strap along with the rest of the parts for my rig two weeks ago and it worked just fine: At ~$4 it isn't bad at all!

Or the wireless anti-static grounding wristband.

You could try this as a collar: http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Adjustable-Anti-Static-Grounding-Electronic/dp/B002IXYR1U :P