I am looking for a static grass applier. I guess the ones from $200-300 must be good, but I've seen some in the $30-$40 range & these are within my budget. Has anyone tried any of these more economical ones & which do you recommend? Thanks
I haven't used any of them yet. Have you seen a video on making one using an electric fly swatter from Harbor Freight (currently on sale)? There have been several discussions here on the forums and there are videos on youtube that you can pull up. Doesn't sound like too hard a project. Takes a little soldering and not much else, as far as I can see. I'm going to try that first. If I remember correctly cost comes in under $10, plus a little time.
Good luck,
Richard
Build your own, I did for less than $10. Works great and at that price You can make another one special to get into tight spaces. I use full strength matt medium for my glue.
I recently bought the GrassTech applicator but have not yet used it. I bought it based on the decent reviews, including one from MRR's own Cody Grivno. Hopefully it was a good decision.
http://grasstechusa.com/products/grasstech/index.html
I made one of the electric flyswatter type, it worked, but was fairly anemic. Made another one using a 12v ion generator that's powered by a wall-wart, plenty powerful and can do large areas too, parts cost about $40. If you're interested in making your own, including the electric flyswatter type, google up Static grass applicator times 3, Joe Fugate
regards, Peter
About a year ago I purchased a GrassTech II. I have since tossed the 3 that I had made over the years in a box where they are gathering dust. It does a great job, I am super happy with it, and would also like to say that their customer service is top notch.
Another vote for Grass Tech. I have had mine for a couple of years, and it has worked perfectly for me. I'm very pleased with it.
I use Silflor static grass materials. I prefer the 4 and 6 mm lengths. I model in HO.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley Another vote for Grass Tech. I have had mine for a couple of years, and it has worked perfectly for me. I'm very pleased with it. Which one of the Grass Tech versions do you have? I use Silflor static grass materials. I prefer the 4 and 6 mm lengths. I model in HO.
Another vote for Grass Tech. I have had mine for a couple of years, and it has worked perfectly for me. I'm very pleased with it. Which one of the Grass Tech versions do you have?
I originally was going to make one of the cheap flyswatter ones; but when I saw them demonstrated on youtube, the distance to the "ground" was so small that it looked like you couldn't see what you were doing. I popped for the Noch Gras-Master 2.0, and there was plenty of clearance. Yeah, they're making more profit on these than is reflected in the interiors; but I just didn't want to spend my time building something as good--I wanted to do the scenery.
Ed
This may be a dumb question, but what is the difference between the static grass and regular grass? Are they made from different materials, can you use regular grass in a static applicator?
Fred
By "regular grass" do you mean something like Woodland Scenics turf? That stuff, which is fine for what it does, is very short. The whole idea of static grass is that the temporary static charge on the grass when it's applied causes the pieces to stand on end. This is how you get the "amber waves of grain" look of tall, standing grass. Regular grass is just to short to do that.
For "regular grass" as in the "turf", a small strainer.
Static grass, the Grass Tech for me, thanks. (Could not beat the price, and, at least in my mind, safer than the "home-made" versions. I would not trust my handy work with that much voltage involved...)
EDIT: and, for said small strainer, you could use the static applicator, like the Grass tech, just do not use it turned on. Keep the power off for the turf/"regular" grass.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Yes, by regular I was meaning the WS turf. I just looked at a bottle I have and I realize it is the size of the product. Could you use the WS turf first to cover the scene then use the static grass? I assume you would have to re-apply the adhesive over the turf for the static to stick.
derfCould you use the WS turf first to cover the scene then use the static grass? I assume you would have to re-apply the adhesive over the turf for the static to stick.
That's exactly what I do. I like to paint the area with a camouflage pattern of brown and green, then apply turf and finally static grass. I also use longer tufts of field grass and ground foam. Nature puts lots of variety out there, and I like to do the same.
My first fly swatter one worked really well until I started trying to ad more power with a 6 volt adapter.
The first one.
This new one is much better as I can get into tighter areas with the smaller screen. I am thinking I will make one with an even smaller pipe so I can get in and around things.
$4.00 Flyswatter
Leftover ABS pipe.
Hose clamp.
Scrap screen.
The price was right and it works really well.
The result.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I've been thinking about getting some sort of static grass device lately and my main concern is safety. Presumably, one doesn't want to inhale these little fibers so I'd imagine at least a dust mask? How long until it's "safe?" I'm in a one bedroom apartment, so it's not like there's much of a "do it in the garage" aspect.
The static grass I've used does not go airborne. It all goes through the screen, and is actively drawn down by the static charge. I never find it more than an inch or so from the target area.
NittanyLion Presumably, one doesn't want to inhale these little fibers
I just put bullets in my nose when I'm working with it.
That's good to know. I mean, you never know with stuff. For instance, when I got my Nibbler and gleefully chewed out some window openings in a piece of Pikestuff wall..stuff.., I was greet by dozen upon dozen of little blue grains of rice that I'm still finding a year later. How did they get into other rooms and survive all efforts at cleaning my house?!
I just finished building my static grass applicator. I used a negative ion generator I picked up from fleabay cheap. It's 12v. I've yet to test it. Hopefully this weekend. The container and metal strainer are from the dollar store.
LION finds the grass in the yard to be somewhat static. I mean, you know, it grows, but it doe not move around. The dandilions on the other hand are not static. You kill one here, and another one pops up over there. In the never ending fight for truth and justice and the American Way, the Super Dandilion always comes through.
If you want a truly authentic lawn, you need dandilions that pop up at random in different places. Short of that, what does a LION need grass for on a subway layout anyway?
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS