Discussion:
Static Situation Help, please
(too old to reply)
Beth
2003-11-07 18:21:51 UTC
Permalink
I have finally got my beadroom mostly set up.. and the tables I have to work
on are plastic. The air is very dry here.. and the tables have developed a
static charge. My thread is sticking to the table, the beads scoot away in
a most erratic manner, almost as though the needle is chasing them and
they're running for their little beady lives... and the hairs on my arms
stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I
spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing, but
kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch hummingbird!!

TIA
beth
Dr. Sooz
2003-11-07 18:57:27 UTC
Permalink
I'd keep a box of those Cling-Free sheets on the table, and rub stuff with them
as needed. (Including the whole table, underneath too) The spray is good
also. You can spray rags with the stuff and use it that way if you don't want
to glob anything up with spray---
~~
Sooz
-------
"Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John
Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance
~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html
Beth
2003-11-07 19:09:43 UTC
Permalink
You're amazing,Sooz.... that seemed to work.
I'm two rows from the end of this darned project... and I have a knot! Have
to start a new thread this close to the end! pooh!
Post by Dr. Sooz
I'd keep a box of those Cling-Free sheets on the table, and rub stuff with them
as needed. (Including the whole table, underneath too) The spray is good
also. You can spray rags with the stuff and use it that way if you don't want
to glob anything up with spray---
~~
Sooz
-------
"Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John
Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance
~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html
Dr. Sooz
2003-11-07 19:11:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Beth
I'm two rows from the end of this darned project... and I have a knot! Have
to start a new thread this close to the end! pooh!
ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHH :-Z
~~
Sooz
-------
"Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John
Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance
~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html
Christina Peterson
2003-11-07 19:58:22 UTC
Permalink
I also you softener sheets. Especially for electronic equipment. On my
previous phone I zapped the speaker phone function when I picked up the
phone the day after I got it. It can also fry computers.

But the cool thing we did 2 weeks ago, that has dramatically decreased
static electricity, is we got a humidifier. I thought that thing just had
an on and off switch and that Pete just had it running hard all the time.
After 8 days it turned off and went quiet and I was afraid it was broken.
No, it just had finally attained 48% humidity.

Your climate is probably not as dry as here, but a humidifier should help.
The other BIG thing is to replace the damn plastic. At the very least put a
good covering of cotton or wool on it. Not polyester, which is also
plastic. A mat on the table, cushions on the chair.

Tina
Post by Beth
I have finally got my beadroom mostly set up.. and the tables I have to work
on are plastic. The air is very dry here.. and the tables have developed a
static charge. My thread is sticking to the table, the beads scoot away in
a most erratic manner, almost as though the needle is chasing them and
they're running for their little beady lives... and the hairs on my arms
stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I
spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing, but
kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch hummingbird!!
TIA
beth
Sjpolyclay
2003-11-07 20:06:09 UTC
Permalink
Bradleys Bags has anti-static mats and other stuff for that sort of thing, if
you need more than what's been offered up in the way of solutions so far.
I also get my plastic and paper bags and things like that from them.

http://www.bradleybag.com/
Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery
http://www.polyclay.com
Kyla
2003-11-08 04:56:49 UTC
Permalink
OT, but can I ask what kind of humidifier you got? It rarely drops below
70% around here, but I would like one for the colder winter months while the
heater is running (I think it will be necessary for our 5 computers, too!).
That seems pretty cool that it runs until it reaches a set level; can you
set it yourself, or is 48% the only setting on it? I'd DIE in only 48%
humidity! LOL I got nosebleeds when I went back home last summer to 56%
humidity;o)
TIA:o)
--
Kyla <><
Post by Christina Peterson
But the cool thing we did 2 weeks ago, that has dramatically decreased
static electricity, is we got a humidifier. I thought that thing just had
an on and off switch and that Pete just had it running hard all the time.
After 8 days it turned off and went quiet and I was afraid it was broken.
No, it just had finally attained 48% humidity.
Tina
Sjpolyclay
2003-11-08 16:09:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by Kyla
I'd DIE in only 48%
humidity! LOL I got nosebleeds when I went back home last summer to 56%
humidity;o)
Kyla, its often as low as 10% humidity here. I make a pot of soup every of fall
winter and spring day just to help add a little moisture to the air!
Sarajane

Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery
http://www.polyclay.com
Beth
2003-11-08 19:12:00 UTC
Permalink
A big Thanks to all of you who responded. for the moment, wiping the table
down with a dryer sheet seems to be working just fine. It *is* desert
here, so I should not be surprised at the prevalence of static... just
didn't expect it with the plastic tables, for some reason.
I appreciate all your ideas and input. thanks again
beth
Post by Sjpolyclay
Post by Kyla
I'd DIE in only 48%
humidity! LOL I got nosebleeds when I went back home last summer to 56%
humidity;o)
Kyla, its often as low as 10% humidity here. I make a pot of soup every of fall
winter and spring day just to help add a little moisture to the air!
Sarajane
Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery
http://www.polyclay.com
Christina Peterson
2003-11-08 22:18:01 UTC
Permalink
Any sort of plastic is bad for creating static. Metal will conduct and
disburse it, but doesn't cause it.

Tina
Post by Beth
A big Thanks to all of you who responded. for the moment, wiping the table
down with a dryer sheet seems to be working just fine. It *is* desert
here, so I should not be surprised at the prevalence of static... just
didn't expect it with the plastic tables, for some reason.
I appreciate all your ideas and input. thanks again
beth
Post by Sjpolyclay
Post by Kyla
I'd DIE in only 48%
humidity! LOL I got nosebleeds when I went back home last summer to 56%
humidity;o)
Kyla, its often as low as 10% humidity here. I make a pot of soup every
of
Post by Beth
fall
Post by Sjpolyclay
winter and spring day just to help add a little moisture to the air!
Sarajane
Sarajane's Polymer Clay Gallery
http://www.polyclay.com
meijhana
2003-11-08 17:07:24 UTC
Permalink
there are static mats and things for computers that you touch before you
start working...I would look for workplace supplies (the warehouse type, or
electronics supplies)

Mary
--
Joy multiplies when it is shared among friends, but grief diminishes with
every division. That is life.
Drizzt Do'Urden (Exile - R.A. Salvatore)
================
MeijhanaDesigns - Unique Earrings and More!
http://www.meijhanadesigns.com
Post by Christina Peterson
I also you softener sheets. Especially for electronic equipment. On my
previous phone I zapped the speaker phone function when I picked up the
phone the day after I got it. It can also fry computers.
But the cool thing we did 2 weeks ago, that has dramatically decreased
static electricity, is we got a humidifier. I thought that thing just had
an on and off switch and that Pete just had it running hard all the time.
After 8 days it turned off and went quiet and I was afraid it was broken.
No, it just had finally attained 48% humidity.
Your climate is probably not as dry as here, but a humidifier should help.
The other BIG thing is to replace the damn plastic. At the very least put a
good covering of cotton or wool on it. Not polyester, which is also
plastic. A mat on the table, cushions on the chair.
Tina
Post by Beth
I have finally got my beadroom mostly set up.. and the tables I have to
work
Post by Beth
on are plastic. The air is very dry here.. and the tables have
developed
Post by Christina Peterson
a
Post by Beth
static charge. My thread is sticking to the table, the beads scoot away
in
Post by Beth
a most erratic manner, almost as though the needle is chasing them and
they're running for their little beady lives... and the hairs on my arms
stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I
spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing,
but
Post by Beth
kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch hummingbird!!
TIA
beth
Diana Curtis
2003-11-07 22:02:40 UTC
Permalink
The visual of your little beads scooting away from the needle just tickled
me ...little teeny voices crying.. heeeeelp...
You might want to cover the table with something less staticy. My first
choice would be cotton. Wool tends to get nice and sparky in dry winter. We
kids used to run around in our stocking feet on the wool rugs we had to
charge ourselves up, then slowly bring a charged finger up to a sibling to
watch the flash of lightening. Very cool.
Diana

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
Post by Beth
I have finally got my beadroom mostly set up.. and the tables I have to work
on are plastic. The air is very dry here.. and the tables have developed a
static charge. My thread is sticking to the table, the beads scoot away in
a most erratic manner, almost as though the needle is chasing them and
they're running for their little beady lives... and the hairs on my arms
stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I
spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing, but
kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch hummingbird!!
TIA
beth
Christina Peterson
2003-11-08 00:32:49 UTC
Permalink
Does real wool do that too? Most "wooly" rugs and blankets have synthetics
in them. I must have been thinking of something more felted. (My old metal
govt style desk is covered with a hand woven wool Indian rug, under
flexiglass.)

Tina
Post by Diana Curtis
The visual of your little beads scooting away from the needle just tickled
me ...little teeny voices crying.. heeeeelp...
You might want to cover the table with something less staticy. My first
choice would be cotton. Wool tends to get nice and sparky in dry winter. We
kids used to run around in our stocking feet on the wool rugs we had to
charge ourselves up, then slowly bring a charged finger up to a sibling to
watch the flash of lightening. Very cool.
Diana
--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
Post by Beth
I have finally got my beadroom mostly set up.. and the tables I have to
work
Post by Beth
on are plastic. The air is very dry here.. and the tables have
developed
Post by Diana Curtis
a
Post by Beth
static charge. My thread is sticking to the table, the beads scoot away
in
Post by Beth
a most erratic manner, almost as though the needle is chasing them and
they're running for their little beady lives... and the hairs on my arms
stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I
spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing,
but
Post by Beth
kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch hummingbird!!
TIA
beth
Diana Curtis
2003-11-08 01:59:29 UTC
Permalink
Its possible that your wool goodies have more lanolin in them than the wool
rugs we had? I wonder if that would make a difference. Ours were
orientals... kind of a short plush? very pretty but lots of fun for studys
in static electricity. We would turn out the lights to better see the
lightening.
We were easy to amuse.
Diana

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
Post by Christina Peterson
Does real wool do that too? Most "wooly" rugs and blankets have synthetics
in them. I must have been thinking of something more felted. (My old metal
govt style desk is covered with a hand woven wool Indian rug, under
flexiglass.)
Tina
Post by Diana Curtis
The visual of your little beads scooting away from the needle just tickled
me ...little teeny voices crying.. heeeeelp...
You might want to cover the table with something less staticy. My first
choice would be cotton. Wool tends to get nice and sparky in dry winter.
We
Post by Diana Curtis
kids used to run around in our stocking feet on the wool rugs we had to
charge ourselves up, then slowly bring a charged finger up to a sibling to
watch the flash of lightening. Very cool.
Diana
--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
Post by Beth
I have finally got my beadroom mostly set up.. and the tables I have to
work
Post by Beth
on are plastic. The air is very dry here.. and the tables have
developed
Post by Diana Curtis
a
Post by Beth
static charge. My thread is sticking to the table, the beads scoot away
in
Post by Beth
a most erratic manner, almost as though the needle is chasing them and
they're running for their little beady lives... and the hairs on my arms
stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I
spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing,
but
Post by Beth
kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch
hummingbird!!
Post by Christina Peterson
Post by Diana Curtis
Post by Beth
TIA
beth
Cheryl
2003-11-08 00:20:08 UTC
Permalink
and the hairs on my arms
stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I
spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing, but
kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch hummingbird!!>

hmm

what would happen if you rubbed them with one of those dryer sheets - the kind
you throw in the dryer with your clothing so they won't be full of static?


Cheryl of <A HREF="http://www.dragonbeads.com"> DRAGON BEADS </A>
Flameworked beads and glass
http://www.dragonbeads.com/
Christina Peterson
2003-11-08 01:40:51 UTC
Permalink
I used those for a while, plus using 1 part fabric softener to 3 or 4 parts
water sprayed on the rug near electrical appliances, but using natural
fibers and adding moisture to the air is a better option. It corrects the
cause instead of treating the symptoms.

Tina
Post by Beth
and the hairs on my arms
stand at attention whenever I'm working... Got any great ideas? Can I
spray the plastic with cling-free or some similar thing? It's amusing, but
kind of frustrating. I've nearly finished my brick stitch hummingbird!!>
hmm
what would happen if you rubbed them with one of those dryer sheets - the kind
you throw in the dryer with your clothing so they won't be full of static?
Cheryl of <A HREF="http://www.dragonbeads.com"> DRAGON BEADS </A>
Flameworked beads and glass
http://www.dragonbeads.com/
Kathy N-V
2003-11-08 02:16:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Christina Peterson
I used those for a while, plus using 1 part fabric softener to 3 or 4 parts
water sprayed on the rug near electrical appliances, but using natural
fibers and adding moisture to the air is a better option. It corrects the
cause instead of treating the symptoms.
It's far better for your health, too. Adding moisture to the air during the
dry winter months is a very good way to keep your lungs clear and healthy.

non scientific anecdote: Since I got the heated humidifier for my CPAP, I am
able to fight off colds much more easily. The moist air being pumped into my
lungs and throat is very soothing, and seems to help me fight off infections.
Since my colds invariably end up as pneumonia, I consider that a huge
benefit.

Kathy N-V
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