Mouse Pad as build surface

[dead_pixel_design]

Hey guys, 

New member, but probably a very tired question. I tried to find previous topics/posts that addressed this, but I wasn't really finding much with the forum's search function. Maybe user error.

 

I am a novice builder getting ready to put together my first real PC (Mac convert). I don't have an anti static mat, but don't want to work on a bare/hard surface. I do have a very large mouse pad. I just want to make sure that is a perfectly fine surface to work on/place some of the more sensitive components (like the motherboard) on, without worrying about physical or electrical damage to the parts.

I don't have an anti-static wrist band, but could get one easily, people seems to be torn on whether that is overly cautious or a foolish-to-ignore necessity, and my intention was to plug in my PSU and periodically touch the back-plate of that to ground myself throughout my build.

 

Before I get started I just wanted to make sure, from a community with experience, that that was going to be adequate practice/environment, and that surface was going to be fine to work on

 

Sorry if you all get this a lot, and thank you for any information, caution, horrorstories

Justin

[doomsriker]

I have built on carpet many times with old and new components. Nothing has died. That being said, it wouldent hurt to use a runner bottom mouse pad or your motherboard box as a surface while pre-building (outside case) to test everything. Besides that, if you are woried than just touch a plugged in (but switched off) power supply every now and then while building. 

[kelvinhall05]

Even with my (IMO) extensive knowledge of computers, I still use an anti-static wrist strap, even when working with hardware I barely care about.

[dead_pixel_design]

Awesome, thanks guys, I appreciate the info. Maybe I will throw a few dollars toward a AS wristband and use the mouse pad as my build surface. If anyone else wants to pitch in on the mouse pad idea let me know!