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Tall Weeds - What to Use

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  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Hudson, NC
  • 68 posts
Tall Weeds - What to Use
Posted by mechengr on Thursday, September 3, 2009 2:45 PM

We have all seen an abandoned car, truck, or bus setting in a weed-filled lot or field with the weeds growing up all around the vehicle.The weeds are a "jungle" of individual thick stems and leaves.

Need suggestions/recommendations as to what to use for these tall weeds in HO scale.

Thanks.

 

 

Richard

  • Member since
    July 2006
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Posted by locoi1sa on Thursday, September 3, 2009 3:35 PM

 I have use old paint brush bristles. The tan colored ones from an old house paint brush. You can bundle some together and put them in holes in groups. If you trim them just a little over axle height you can put them between the rails in yards and sidings to keep cars from rolling around.

     Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

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Posted by dehusman on Thursday, September 3, 2009 3:50 PM

Brush bristles, yarn, manila twine, Woodland scenics weed fibers, Stilfor brush clumps, chunks of coconut husk door mats.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

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Posted by JSperan on Thursday, September 3, 2009 7:03 PM

In addition to the other great ideas I'll add Sisal twine or Sisal rope.  To model clumps of weeds, take a small bundle of strands in your fingers and cut it to length then stick it in a blob of "goop like" glue.

For larger areas, static grass flock and a static grass applicator.  Flock is available up to 6mm in length. Some clumps of Sisal rope mixed in will look good as well.  Flatten some areas into the glue a bit to make matted areas and break up the uniformity of the flock.

  • Member since
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  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
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Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, September 3, 2009 7:17 PM

I bought a package of "field grass" at a show.  It comes in long strands, all lined up in the package.  To apply it, I cut off a section 3/8 to 1/2 inch long, apply a strip of tacky glue, and stick one end of the grass strands in the glue.  Then I arrange the strands in place.  The glue is thick enough to hold it, and then the glue dries clear.

Because you cut the grass yourself, you can determine how tall you want it.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Brisbane, Australia
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Posted by mikelhh on Thursday, September 3, 2009 9:41 PM

 Jute twine laid in a mat, glued down, then teased upright with a pet grooming brush.

   Woody plants made with sisal- and coconut fibres. Grasses are jute twine and cleaning cloth. Another glued-down 'mat' of jute twine is halfway back on the left.

 And another 'mat':

The jute is hard to paint. Pastels might be a better option. Mine's a winter layout so I don't worry about it.

 

Mike

 

Modelling the UK in 00, and New England - MEC, B&M, D&H and Guilford - in H0

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Posted by trainnut1250 on Friday, September 4, 2009 1:51 AM

Here are two examples of Silflor 6.5 mm static grass appliied with static grass gun.

 

 

Guy

see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site

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Posted by Medina1128 on Friday, September 4, 2009 5:20 AM

Guy. great looking grass!! Looks like I'll have to invest in a static gun.

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Posted by West Coast S on Friday, September 4, 2009 10:29 AM

Now you got to include a DCC sound equipped Toro mowerBow

Dave

SP the way it was in S scale
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Posted by nbrodar on Friday, September 4, 2009 1:48 PM

I use WS field grass:

I haven't done vast fields off tall grass, though.  Field grass as packaged is a tad tedious for large areas.

I have also used balls of poly fiber and ground foam to simulate underbrush:

As well as WS Foliage:

Nick

Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/

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Posted by Hamltnblue on Saturday, September 5, 2009 10:04 AM

Here's an excellent source of ground cover, grass etc

http://www.scenicexpress.com/

I posted on them a couple of weeks ago, great service.

Springfield PA

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  • From: Canada, eh?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, September 5, 2009 1:13 PM

Guy, in what scale are you working?  That's a very attractive model of a horse-drawn grader and would be suitable on my '30s-era layout.  Is it available commercially or did you scratchbuild it?  Oh, and nice work on the grass, too. Smile,Wink, & Grin

Wayne 

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Posted by trainnut1250 on Saturday, September 5, 2009 2:21 PM

Wayne,

I'm in HO scale.  The grader is from Rio Grande Models.  Here is a link:

http://www.riograndemodels.com/index.htm

Eric (the man who is Rio Grande Models) has a great selection of white metal kits that cover a range of equipment used in logging. mining and narrow gauge operations.  He also has an extensive line of cast metal trucks as well as rolling stock for Westside and V&T lines..

 

Guy

see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site

  • Member since
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Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, September 5, 2009 2:42 PM

Thanks for that link, Guy.  Looks like I've got another place to spend my modelling money. Smile,Wink, & Grin

Wayne

  • Member since
    July 2009
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Posted by Mikec6201 on Monday, September 7, 2009 2:39 PM
Michaels crafts has what are called Pot Toppers. These work great for smaller areas. There was a discussion here recently about these that had pics.....Mike
  • Member since
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Posted by stokesda on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 2:36 PM

Mikec6201
Michaels crafts has what are called Pot Toppers. These work great for smaller areas. There was a discussion here recently about these that had pics.....Mike

 

Yes! I just picked up a couple of those myself. Here's a link.

They come in 2 sizes, 4" and 6" diameters (I think). I picked up one of each to try them out. You'll find them in the floral section at Michaels near all the dried flowers, floral wire, vases, etc.

 

Dan Stokes

My other car is a tunnel motor

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Corpus Christi, Texas
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Posted by leighant on Friday, September 11, 2009 3:02 PM

LOTS of Woodland Scenics "field grass"

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