Spare Photomasks used to create coaster set

There's nothing like replacing a mundane trip to the store with a DIY endeavor, and creating a simple conversation piece that still serves a purpose just makes it all worthwhile. The latest geekish creation to come our way is the photomask coaster, which essentially utilizes "clear templates used in semiconductor manufacturing" to keep condensation from ruining your furniture. Better still, you can apparently locate unwanted versions of these things at certain electronics surplus stores, and considering that most feature different patterns within, you can create a whole set of coasters that each sport their own unique identity. We know, we just got way too Home & Garden for some of you to handle, but you'll survive.

[Thanks, Chris]

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 19th 2007 12:08PM]

More useless information.
I'll just stop by my local semiconductor manufacturer and pick some up.

[dark star Posted Aug 19th 2007 12:54PM]

where can i get some?
this is hot!!!
thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 19th 2007 2:21PM]

Sorry, this is going to look like spam. Think of it as "supplier suggestions".

Electronics Goldmine often has stuff like that.
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/default.asp

All Electronics Corp
http://www.allelectronics.com/

MECI Liquidators
http://www.meci.com

Cheers!

[patches66 Posted Aug 19th 2007 2:34PM]

who needs a coaster with holes in it? how is that going to keep a table dry??? and i know it can't play Doom, so why is it here?

[Kizul Emeraldfire Posted Aug 19th 2007 8:44PM]

Maybe it blends?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 19th 2007 4:09PM]

As the article said: "you can apparently locate unwanted versions of these things at certain electronics surplus stores." If you are in Silicon Valley, that would be easy -- try Weird Stuff, Halted/HSC. Elsewhere, might try searching "surplus electronics." Try: Alltronics, American Science and Surplus.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 19th 2007 4:07PM]

re: who needs a coaster with holes in it?

They're not holes. The mask is a glass plate with a metallic image on it. What looks like holes are places where the image is not (i.e. where it is clear).

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 19th 2007 6:46PM]

I sent this in, and I feel VERY important! :D

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 19th 2007 8:10PM]

how endlessly cool. if anyone knows of any places like this near sydney, nsw, let us know. heh.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 20th 2007 11:57AM]

I posted this on the original site as well.

Watch it if one of these masks break. They are made from Quartz Glass which leave notoriously sharp fragments. Also do to their nature the shards are extremely difficult to remove if embedded in a cut since their refractive index makes them blend right into the cut and the only way to remove them is the doctor probing around the cut with tweezers.

Use some optically clear glue to apply a thing layer of plastic sheet on one side and that should make this much safer.