Insulating mat?

[abstruse1]

For working with NST‘s, MOTs, multipliers and the like, is it a good idea to have a an insulating mat to stand on?

If the path of electricity were from hand to hand, I suppose a mat wouldn’t do much good.

[rikkitikkitavi]

The insulating voltage required would be very high. A simple mat is probably not sufficient.

If possible it is best to use a floating supply, insulated from the power grid (live, neutral, PE)

[abstruse1]

Would it be good to use an isolation transformer for everything?  If so, one xfmr for everything or separate ones?

What about the oscilloscope?  I’ve read pros and cons about this.

Actually, I’ve got a sorta dense acquaintance and he volunteered to be the hands-on guy…

[davekni]

For working with NST‘s, MOTs, multipliers and the like, is it a good idea to have a an insulating mat to stand on?

MOTs are by far the most dangerous of the common HV toys.  An insulating mat will help reduce that danger.  The other higher-voltage toys may arc around a mat.  However, those are less likely to have enough current capability to be lethal.  (MOTs supply well more than lethal current.  A man here in my town died from an MOT shock a decade ago or so.)

If the path of electricity were from hand to hand, I suppose a mat wouldn’t do much good.

Yes!  Keep one hand behind you when working with energized circuits.  Use an insulating "chicken-stick" for moving live wires.  Don't rely on wire insulation alone.

Would it be good to use an isolation transformer for everything?

Isolation transformers are useful when scoping mains-powered H-Bridges etc.  They are generally not helpful with any of the HV secondary voltages.  MOT secondaries are tied to the MOT case/laminations at one end, not to the line.  Anything higher-voltage than an MOT will arc across isolation transformer internal insulation.

What about the oscilloscope?  I’ve read pros and cons about this.

Floating an oscilloscope can work for measuring mains-powered H-Bridges etc., same as for an isolation transformer.  It is dangerous, as the scope case is live, along with BNC connectors etc.  Isolation transformer is preferred for scoping mains-powered circuitry.  Again, as with isolation transformers, not useful at all with secondary HV probing.

BTW, I used to shock myself accidentally about once per week in high-school and college.  Much less often now.  If you are still getting shocked, avoid MOTs.  Play with other things.  (I rarely use MOTs for that reason, and am very nervous any time I do fire up my SRSGTC, powered by a pair of MOTs.)