Not sure how I missed this one, great post Ripley.  An excellent reference and guide, especially for new builders on a budget.
I've built a good dozen or so, probably more as well, using your method for static combined with Lawndart's (a cheap mat).  I'm not sure if the mat makes a difference or not, but I've never bothered with the wrist thingy, and haven't fried anything (yet).  It's not enough of a risk to really bake my brain over, or get too concerned with.  I replace and swap components probably every month, and replace/build new systems x 2 or 3 boxes every year or two, and haven't had a failed component or fried a single thing.  Maybe I'm just lucky.  Just did it again this week swapping 2 970s with two new 980s going into aircooled box 1.
