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Static Grass Applicators

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  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Bloomfield Hills MI
  • 6 posts
Static Grass Applicators
Posted by tbriney on Thursday, November 18, 2010 9:00 AM

Has anyone ever used a "Scooter's Static Stick - Grass Flock Applicator"?  I have been looking at getting the "NOCH" Grass Master but the "Scooter's Stick" is half the cost.  Any input would be appreciated.

Tags: Grass , Scenery
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Thursday, November 18, 2010 9:30 AM

There are many plans available on the Internet of how to build your own for $5 to $10.  I built one using an electronic fly swatter from Harbor Freight for less than $5.

 Unless you're a commerical layout builder or are going to be planting grass in an extremely large area I don't consider the Noch applicator worth the price.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, November 18, 2010 9:59 AM

Here's mine. It cost seven dollars and took about seven minutes to build.

Here is a how to video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAEmcqc-yIc

 

                                                                            Brent

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • 1 posts
Posted by Scooter FMG on Friday, January 28, 2011 12:49 AM

Hi,

Scooter here. The static stick has a output voltage higher than the Noch device. High power transformer inside is solid and won't over heat or burn out; should last for years (oldest Static Stick is 2 years old and still flocking stong).   I built the static stick for those who could not afford the Noch device and feel uncomfortable working with high voltage to build there own. High power transformer inside is custom made to my specs for this product. 

Tags: Grass
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 28, 2011 3:41 AM

Although the Noch Grass Master works nicely, there are two major drawbacks attached it:

  • price
  • the use of a battery instead of a constant source of power.

I´ve worked with the Noch device a couple of times and found the area you can cover with one set of batteries to small. You will need quite a number of batteries at hand if you want to apply grass to an area of more than just a couple of sqft.

Is it worth the money - a clear Thumbs Down from me.

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • 299 posts
Posted by JSperan on Friday, January 28, 2011 9:38 AM

My home built applicator is more powerful than the Noch and is not battery operated, it's corded and  120VAC,  one can also build a 12VDC version that runs off a wall wart.  The plans are in issue #6 of Model Railroad Hobbyist online magazine.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: New Jersey, US
  • 379 posts
Posted by topcopdoc on Friday, January 28, 2011 10:36 AM

Hi BATMAN,

Thanks for the video. I bought the parts a year ago but never put mine together. The instructions seemed too complicated. There is nothing like a video to show how to build something. Good work!

Doc 

Pennsylvania Railroad The Standard Railroad of the World
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by trainnut1250 on Friday, January 28, 2011 10:53 AM

JSperan

My home built applicator is more powerful than the Noch and is not battery operated, it's corded and  120VAC,  one can also build a 12VDC version that runs off a wall wart.  The plans are in issue #6 of Model Railroad Hobbyist online magazine.

I built the wall wart version of this gun.  It will zap spiders at 30 ft.  Very powerful and quite effective.  I use sliflor, Noch and G force nine static grasses in it to produce very nice grass.

An example:

exe5:

 

THe plans can also be found at the Z trains site.  $20,00 in parts and a half an hour to build..Not bad!

 

Guy

see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Friday, January 28, 2011 4:27 PM

I have the noch and am happy with it but im sure it doesn't work any better than the others.

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • From: Auckland, New Zealand
  • 147 posts
Posted by Steve_F on Saturday, January 29, 2011 12:40 AM

I built my own going loosely off others plans some mentioned above, the point I would like to make is the parts required are not set in stone, there are many substitutes, as long as the basics are correct there are many ways to make these. Example is I used an cheep old torch body as the handle, added a switch, 12 volt de-ionizer and used a commercial food container for the body and the mesh from a $2.00 shop sieve = cheep and tested and works good.

 

Before this post I had never heard of ‘Scooters Stick’ which sounds like a good alternative for those who find building their own just a bit too much.

 

 

 

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