grounding myself with bracelet , but no mat

Hey guys, about to open up my old dell, then my alienware.... No store in San Francisco seems to have a grounding ESD mat, but I do have a bracelet.... Is there any where I can attach my bracelet to that would ground me instead of that mat? I really don't want to wait the 7 days it takes to ship one for me to change my thermal paste... thanks!

 

Attach it to the PC case? Either way I've never had a problem with ESD by just touching something metal before working on the internals and even then I've forgotten to do that a few times and still never any problems.

 

so i just attach it to my laptops external case? it seems to be plastic...

 

Attach it to your laptop's ground. Most of the metal inside the case will be 'ground.' Also do what usapatriot said and ground yourself to something metal like a kitchen sink or whatnot before getting to work.

 

Just don't scuff your feet on thick carpet before you do work, and touch metal like the other guys said, and you'll be fine. I've assembled and fixed dozens and dozens (if not hundreds) over the years and never had an issue with static electricity. Just use some common sense and you'll be fine.

 

Also, one more thing: the higher the humidity the better. Water in the air transfers electric charge, so the dryer it is, the higher the chance of building up charge.

 

Work on the computer barefoot and (contrary to what your mother told you) put your elbows on the table. The only reason ESD would be a problem is if you've insulated yourself from the world (rubber soles, tools with rubber handles, long sleeves).

 

Touch any metal inside the computer firmly before you start and a few times as you do the work. Once you start do not move around, (if you have to just touch the metal firmly again). Avoid touching any connectors or components as the skin can leave residues which can cause issues in the future. Just hold everything by the edges and you should be OK.