I've been trying to find the right static grass applicator to use for my HO layout. It seems the choices (except for the cheap ones on Amazon) are limited based on availability. I was looking at a Peco PSG-1, but it only had one screen size that supposedly was good for up to 6mm size static grass. The GrassTech II (used by Popp on the MR website) was the other one I could find only on the GrassTech USA site, but that was alot more expensive. The PECO seemed to be rated good by purchasers. There was alot of negative reviews on the Woodland Scenics Static King so I'm reluctant to purchase that one.
I'm not really sure what size static grass to buy or brand. I'm mainly using the grass along the sides of the track which will mostly contain alot of trees right up to the track and probably not creating any large open areas, but possibly some small ones. I'm modeling the middle WV area and I've already bought alot of various flock to lay down before I add the static grass. If the right size to use is 2-6mm that supposedly works fine in the PECO applicator, but if I need to go higher then I probably will have to buy the GrassTech or another brand with various screens to allow the larger size.
I'd appreciate any help.
Gary (Coastie71)
First off static grass is not hard but it dose take a bit of experimenting to get right. I use a flyswatter type that runs on D batteries, more than powerfull enough. Also you don't have to run the static grass through the screen, you can literally sprinkle it on and then give it a static charge. My method which other may or may not like is I run the grass through the sive and then pat it down so I am sure it is imbeded in the glue and the zap it by hovering just over the grass so when upright the grass accually touches the sive. I use 3 sizes for HO, 2mm, 4mm and 6mm, anything larger just didn't look right. I also layered it some by starting with the 2mm, then when dry, added glue in another random pattern inward from the edge of the 2mm and did 4mm and then again for the 6mm. Don't forget to let it dry between each application and when dry valcum up all the loose fibers ( I use a thin sock over the valcum for this).
I got into Static Grass a few years ago. I bought one of the Grass Tech applicators for abot $25 online. It has served well. It's powered with a couple of D batteries and I've never had to replace them.
I bought some of the Woodland Scenics 2 mm grass. It was quite cheap, but I didn't like it at all. It was kind of curled up, and did not give me the amber waves of grain look I was hoping for. I tried Silflor 4 and 6 mm grass and was sold. That's all I use now, in a good variety of green and yellow, which gives me a very natural, unkempt look, even wilder than my hair on a dry winter day.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I use WWS and Galeforce grass.
I use a Peco PSG 1. I've put 7mm static grass through it and it works fine. That's already two feet high in HO scale, but I don't see why you couldn't go a bit taller than that if you wanted to.
The PSG 1 uses a 9v battery. Not having any, I did a bit of rewiring so that it uses a couple of AAs instead. Otherwise, it worked fine out of the box.
rrbell, I appreciate the quick and very detailed explanation on method and sizes. I'm not sure I'd know what I'm doing with the type of applicator and method you use to make the grass standup as I'm hoping the applicators I mentioned would do this for me as long as I keep the applicator at the proper height. I was also thinking about mixing the grass heights and based on your sizes mentioned I think I'm going to go with the PECO applicator and with those sizes. Also appreciate you indicating the brands you used.
Again, I really appreciate your help.
Thanks
Gary
MisterBeasley, thanks for the quick and informative reply. I did see your comments on another thread and your use and recommendation for the Silflor. I looked at that brand also when trying to figure out which to buy. I agree it looks real good in the selling images I saw, as it appeared to be the only ones in the pics that seemed to actually stand up. The only thing I was unsure of is it seems to be a real bright color as all the other brands seemed to be more neutral or less bright and not sure how natural that looks for patchy grass along the sides of the rail lines versus say in a meadow.
I also noticed that curly look I believe was the WS 2mm size in the David Popp video as well as other images I saw on other sites. I know he used the the kind that comes in those bottles and have flock after the words static grass and based on someone's other post comments is the older type and that the newer type is what they recommended if you go with WS.
Got a laugh on your hair comment.
Again, thanks again for your help.
SpeedyBee, thanks for the quick reply and clarification on the larger size I can use in the PSG 1. That helps alot if I go up to the 7mm size as I know some brands have that size versus 6mm.
Thanks again for your help.
Yea the reason I went with WWS is the colors of grass as the colors were chosen for military dioramas, Galeforce had a straw color I used just for the 6mm stuff.
I built my own, with a little help from Joe Fugate. There's a how-to HERE.
Wayne
I run across Luke Towen’s YouTube Video on his homebrew and built it for a bit under $20 and it works great with WS static grass.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO1jrUL_PLU
I haven’t done much as of yet, arthritis problems, but what I have done looks very good.
I haven’t experienced any deterioration of the WS Static grass.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California Turned 84 in July, aging is definitely not for wimps.