If you look at any grass in the wild (not your perfectly manicured lawn) youll notice that its a mix of different colours and different lengths. You can start with the anion generator alone and get all the other parts locally. This is how the anion generator is wired.
If you want all the parts, tested and proven, in one package, go here. It's easy to put down too much. Ed, nice job on the static grass and I couldn't help noticing those lovely PC Tangent freight cars. Mixes of 50/50 or 70/30 water to PVA have shown to provide the best results. And the most expensive part seems to be the negative ion generator. 18 gauge works well, but the size is not critical (use whatever you have on hand from your layout). If you are going to be doing basic static grass work, one of these is fine. Yes his videos are on the longer side. That got us to talking about static grass applicators. Electric flyswatter (The one shown here came from Harbor Freight). Free E-books How To Make Static Grass Applicators, High Voltage Anion Generator 15kv DC Output 12v DC Input For Static Grass Applicators And Flock Boxes, How To Make A Cheap Static Grass Applicator, How To Make A High Voltage Air Purifier Ionizer DIY 15 kvDC 12 v DC Input, How To Make A Static Grass Applicator Using The StaticGrassKing Kit, How To Make Your Own DIY Flock Box Cheap And Easy, How To Maker A High Voltage Shaker Type Static Grass Applicator 15 kvDC Output 12vDC Input. These will be stored in your browser only with your consent and you have the option to opt-out. With a little work and some basic skills, you can build your own in about 30 minutes and for around $10. Sometimes Horror Fright has them Free with a purchase and coupon, https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=fly+swatter, https://www.google.com/search?q=Harbor+Freight+fly+swatter+coupon&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=2Q___qpHOTi0jM%253A%252C6dvA1MFo8UgYLM%252C_&usg=__6S3uMAZvRnD9EKzPovukZat4oeA%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYs6Hl7P3ZAhUQCawKHaWsACEQ9QEIZzAL#imgrc=_. Use a heavy metal cut-off disk in a motor tool to cut the bars to length. Solder the wires to the leads. By far the most useful tool is either a tea or vegetable strainer. You can get them here. And the easiest way to put it down and give it a natural look is to use a static grass applicator. Just put in the batteries, and you are ready to start planting grass. These are the creations of people who decided to roll their own.
Looks easy enough. applicator A static grass applicator offers better control over the application of the grass blades on the surface. This makes the entire grass layering process much simpler. Anion Generator. Use the screwdriver to pry apart the halves, exposing the wires inside. Might have a hard time getting warranty coverage on a decoder that saw 50 Kv! The setup used here reminds us of the DIY powder coating we covered a few years back. The green wire is the ground that you connect to the surface of your scene.
First, unscrew the back of the fly swatters handle.
(I'll try to get a photo of the one I built but it really doesn't look all that fancy). When it comes to blending various grasses, your desired look will dictate the undercoat color.
I watched a bunch of those. You can add unique dispensers to do such things as add static grass branches to trees wire, wooden and plastic armature-based trees. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. And if you really want, you can use it as a shaker type dispenser. Headquake on YouTube is another one worth earmarking, his scratch built RC cars are amazing. The thin black and red wires go to your power supply. Hackaday Podcast 179: Danger Chess, Corona Motors, An Omni-Walker, And A Fast Talking Telescope, This Week In Security: Symbiote, Smart Locks, And CosmicStrand, Your Own Engineering Workstation, With Mame. This looks like a fun project, and Im actually interested in terrain modeling, but I dont see how its a real money saver. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This is used to setup an electric charge between the grid of the applicator and a long wire that gets attached to the piece youre working on. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Cut the handle to stop the bars from reaching the circuit board. And giving back is the best. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. The premier publication of maker projects, skill-building tutorials, in-depth reviews, and inspirational stories, accessible by all ages and skill ranges. When the job's done, that investment sits around collecting dust. Your choice here will be recorded for all Make.co Websites. Unscrew the back of the handle to access the electronics inside. Still might build one though, because hey. Once youre done layering the static grass, dust it with a little hairspray. The two wires must also be routed out of the handle. I've got the parts for the fly swatter grass applicator too and was getting ready to try it but my last layout was torn down last July so scenery will have to wait for a year or two. Rio Grande. It essentially helps us earn a few dollars at no extra cost to you, to help pay for upkeep on this website. Simulated grasses have been around for many years. Separate glass jars eliminate this problem. Get dozens of projects in every issue covering DIY electronics, 3D printing, craft, and more, Learn tips and skill-building tutorials from experts in the maker community.
We advise that the first time a static grass applicator is tested, it be tested with a 9 v DC battery. Mix and blend static grass lengths and colors for a more realistic look. Clip the wires, leaving enough lead to solder new wires for our tool. applicator 12vdc generator Then he connected the clip to the cookie sheet, put some static grass in the strainer and gently shook it. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'myhobbymodels_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_0',118,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myhobbymodels_com-large-leaderboard-2-0')};The short answer is a big and relatively easy yes! The static grass is distributed over the glue coated surface through a metal sieve while you hold a metal stick to your layout to provide it with the static charge. Another part of the technique is to allow the glue or paint to set a bit after using the static applicator then carefully passing a vacuum hose over the area which gets more of the grass standing and thins out the un-stuck fibers. The unit to the left is a very popular, inexpensive, powerful, and easy to build static grass applicator. But I still love dioramas and watching someone skilled in making them. Click Here to check it out.
You'll find all of the electronics on a small circuit board near the head of the zapper. I hope they work their way into producing more cars from the steam era, but I guess the modern stuff sells better and pays the bills! Your grass needs more than a mental shock. The TruePower Static Grass Applicator is a great model that comes with 3 different head attachments; these let you change how much grass youre putting down at any one time, making sure you get a realistic-looking grass. There's a thread HERE showing how I built mine. Strip a small amount of insulation from the end of the short wire and thread it through the screen. With this information in hand, you should be able to make a high voltage output static grass applicator or flock box. With a good generator in hand, and a little planning, you can roll your own. Static grass for train layouts can become a true challenge if they find their way into track and points. Here is a short video showing how the generator pulls when powered by a 9 v DC battery. It doesnt matter how much grass you add, youll still see through it slightly, so a bright white baseboard is going to be an issue. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, On the flip side, this device isnt very complicated. This is finefor smaller applications, but planting an entire field can take hours and yield rough results. You can even make your own from twine and other products. Negative Ion Generator Designed Especially For Use In Static Grass Applicators And Flock Boxes, Static Grass Applicator Customer Reviews What People Have Said About Our Products, Static Grass Applicator High Voltage And DIY Flock Box Construction Description And Specifications, Useful Static Grass Applicator Tools To Use To Make Better Scenery, Arduino For Model Railroaders And Diorama Builders Sketch Book Filled With Projects, Static Grass Applicators & Anion Generators. Now I should mention that the layout does not hurt for money. I decided I didn't need to scratch-build it after all. I also use fly swatter, it cost me 4 and it does great job (and I use really short blades of grass for my 1:72 models). A Static Grass Applicator is very specialized tool used by model makers to create realistic grass. It wasnt until the Noch brand introduced the first static electric applicators that adding static grass to your layouts really took off. Youll find a small circuit boarding holding all the electronics near the zappers head. I have not made one myself, but I held a HF flyswatter in my hand just this morning and decided to go the homemade route. We will show you some below. Which is a fancy way of saying that it just gives your entire layout a static charge that makes the grass stand on end, kind of like your own body hair if you were statically charged (like rubbing a balloon on your arm for example). I have been watching lukes videos for a long time. They are what one would describe as general purpose static grass applicators.
One wire is linked to the inner web while the other to the outer. All things model trains, planes, automobiles and scale hobbies. Attach the kitchen sieve to the handle of the zapper. Poly Pipe For Handle For Tea Strainer Anything that will hold the strainer handle wrapped with electrical tape. One wire will go to the sieve and one to the layout, but that will come later. Many people who use this anion generator either for a roll your own or kit built applicator, stay with the 9 v DC battery. Some allow for a feedback loop to develop that burns out the generator. by applying a small electrical current to make them stand up, youll find that your grass looks great as soon as it hits your layout and you wont have to spend hours trying to meticulously brush your hand-placed grass to look natural. Some wall warts have an AC component to the DC output. They are very well done, and interesting to those interested in models/model making, and dioramas. Model Train Lubrication what to use and what not to! What little wiring there is simply provides a switch and some status LEDs. Less then $10.00 with batteries,and about 20 min.work. And that AC component burns out your anion generator. Unlike the single unit applicator that has to be emptied and reloaded, only the tops have to be switched. Looks easy enough. At the time I made mine the ion generators were scarce! Chasmitha Vadlamudi has updated details to One touch cozy mood. Fortunately, I thought about this before I began my grass-work. Because its so tiny, its really easy to achieve a good bond with a good layer of PVA, that will allow you to either shake off the leftover grass, or even vacuum it off the layout if you do it carefully.
Easy to control where the grass is being applied. A smart collection of books, magazines, electronics kits, robots, microcontrollers, tools, supplies, and more curated by us, the people behind Make: and the Maker Faire. The design [Luke] has come up with lets the user switch between and internal 9V battery for portability, or an external 12V wall adapter for larger projects. The remaining metal handle must then be cut to length. Of course, the guy needed to look up the contact information and I forgot to remind him before I left. It seems like I invariably get the screen too close to the metal push-pin I use as a ground. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. A perfect example of I should have gotten the kit.. Fix Old Caps, But Keep That Can Capacitor Look, New OS For Commodore 64 Adds Modern Features. REMOVE your DCC equipped locomotives from the area! Many a person after burning out an anion generator or two rolling his own has said, I should have bought the kit.. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Is it 4:20 already? Topics such as microcontrollers including Arduino and Raspberry Pi, Drones and 3D Printing, and more. PVA (white glue) is undoubtedly the best glue to stick static grass in place. Details are here. There is a BIG variety in the colors and types of static grass available, too. Wire. We also give a few tips and tricks on how to handle the applicator better and get the most out of it as well! Typically, static grass tools are priced at about $130.00 (the cost of a new locomotive formanyscales). applicator So if you refill without cleaning, you end up mixing your grasses. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. If youre in a hurry, or have just made a quick google search because youre in the market for a new one, you cant go past the TruePower Grass Applicator. A static grass applicator is nothing more than a negative iron generator connected to a grass dispenser with some convenience items around it. Very popular and a often viewed guest in how to this or that videos. Both are excellent for adding static grass over large areas.
Wire 18 to 24 gauge is fine. I think that's about the minimum I need to get the "natural" look that I'm after with my scenery. Building the chamber to hold the grass filament as well as the handle which houses the electronics will take longer than anything else, and even that seems pretty straightforward. POW! But what if you have a smaller layout or budget? I have to chuckle a bit every time I think about doing the grass. Theres absolutely no reason you 100% definitely need to get a static grass applicator if youre into model trains. Electrolytes, Theyre What Dehydrated Hackaday Writers Crave! You can always get away with sprinkling grass on with your hand, or coming up with other creative solutions. It is nothing more than some wine bottle cork feet on a piece of MDF, a switch, connectors and anion generator. Static Grass Applicator Basics About The Types And Comparative Advantages, How To Make A DIY Static Grass Applicator.
Reattach the top of the handle. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'myhobbymodels_com-box-4','ezslot_5',114,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myhobbymodels_com-box-4-0')};The tools youll need to make your own static grass applicator are listed below: Theres a bunch of different methods to make a static grass applicator, but here are the steps to make one with an electric fly swatter.
Join the short wire to the hopper and put an alligator clip in the longer one.
How To Test And Troubleshoot A Static Grass Applicator. Some wall warts, even though they should not, have an AC component to the output.
It does what its intended to . We recommend against wasting your time making one of these. This is definitely more complex but it has a nice look about it and now works well. Solder the wires. ), Best Model Train Manufacturers and Brands, TruePower Static Grass Applicator for Railway Terrain Modeling Diorama - Electrostatic Flocking Machine for Velvet Dashboard, Jewelry Box. The challenge with these, however, is that each clump has to be planted individually by hand. This next step will take a little trial and error. So that you dont lose this page, the video will open in a new window. (Comment Policy). My favorite, Silflor, goes for $10-12 for a cup and a quarter of grass. 
This is a fantastically useful tool. Some of these are essential for the basic functionalities of our websites. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. mud brown or as realistic to what you think the dirt below would look like.
Membership connects and supports the people and projects that shape our future and supports the learning initiatives for the next generation of makers. So it is a matter of deciding how you would like to proceed.
Everything You Need to Know About Using Curved Track With Model Trains, Building and Wiring Model Railroad Reverse Loops, Most Common Types of Model Train Switches, Make a Bracelet or Necklace Using Wire and Crimps, Know These Principals Before You Buy an Electric Kiln, Things to Check When Your Model Train Won't Run.
As a kid, I spent hours reading about model railroading. So check the polarity of your power supply! The best part occurs when you run a little static electricity through them and makes the fibres, or blades of grass, stand on end. They have low pulling power and the dispensers are usually to small to prevent the grass from flying about when one shakes them. Your choice here can make a big difference. So just take a mason jar and wire it up. Add another buck for batteries (some of the older ones used 9V but these have two AAs and seem to work just fine). The material can also be applied to trees to represent pine needles and many othertrackside details. As mentioned before, a static grass applicator is a tool used to make realistic grass for train layouts. total investment really paid off. Use your bench top power supply, layout power bus, or track power. Switch This can make you or break you. If this is your choice, you can get one here. That is why we recommend testing the unit with a 9v DC battery. One is the single unit shaker such as the one you see at the left. The grass leaped through the strainer and stuck in the adheasive like 1000 tiny arrows, every piece perfectly vertical. Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. You can also make weeds, tufts, and grass patches as well as add branches to trees (wire trees, of course). grass flocking applicator modelling scenic machine master diy One has to be a few inches long and it will connect to the sieve. I wanted to see what I could do with the fly-swatter option before investing a larger amount of cash toward the project. Two small wires protrude to the head from the head. The fly swatter circuits tend to be 4kV 6kV, low but does an okay job and will still cost you less then these ion generators. Dont feel bad if you didnt know that, neither did we. Our websites use cookies to improve your browsing experience.
If youre looking for the best static grass, you should take a look at both woodland scenics or something like WWS Static Grass. And he has a new best-of writing collection and lazy mans memoir, called Borg Like Me. These applicators are essentially whats known as a static field generator. I couldn't find Grass Tech, but I did find this, which looks a lot like the one I saw. You can make a simple, inexpensive flock box simply by using a backing pan and alligator clip. Just solder a wire to the strainer, slip it through a piece of poly pipe and wrap the pipe with electrical tape. Make sure to save the screws and the small push button which activates the device. A free program that lights childrens creative fires and allows them to explore projects in areas such as arts & crafts, science & engineering, design, and technology.
Thread a little insulation through the screen. It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. Make: contributor Andrew Lewis spotted this well-documented build of an applicator on Hackaday and shared it with me. The problem i found with most of these build plans is the use of an ion generator aside from the added cost simply because its labelled ion generator is they come in a wide range of voltages (1kV 10kV) and most are never actually labelled with the output voltage. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'myhobbymodels_com-box-3','ezslot_8',108,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myhobbymodels_com-box-3-0')};Static grass, or whats known as flocking, is a super-easy way to lay down some grass on your model train layout. Attach the short wire to the sieve and install an alligator clip on the long wire. (Remember this when you are using the tooldo not complete the circuit!). okay another cool trick learned. As the grass consistently falls from the sieve, it stands upright as it hits the charged layout. That is like the video's I watched today. I did accidentally hit the rail once or twice! Please be kind and respectful to help make the comments section excellent. Two small wires extend from the board to the head. Maker-written books designed to inform and delight! It is a synthetic fiber, colored to look like grasses, that is glued to a surface and then made to stand on end with the aid of static electricity. Thank you, Rio Grande! Tighten the screws and if necessary for added strength (or just to make the unit look better) wrap the handle in tape. Male and Female Banana Clips Any clip will do. I too watch all his stuff, I never made one before, not interested in trains. At 35 USD a complete unit on Ali, I dont see the point of making one. Batteries(size suitable for the electric fly swatter). Why? https://www.amazon.com/StaticGrassKing-Applicator-Homemade-ElectroStatic-Application/dp/B071W6L9Z8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523922684&sr=8-1&keywords=static+grass+applicator+kit. swatter electric Model Train Lubrication - what to use and what not to! By using our website and services, you expressly agree to the placement of our performance, functionality and advertising cookies. In any case, you can power it with anything between 4.5 and 12 v DC. A nice, cost effective alternative to building your own that comes with different sized meshes for various applications. Given the impressive results shown in the video after the break, its actually pretty surprising how simple the device is. Most dont but you only need one. Look here. I have gotten my fingers between probe and screen,I don't think I want anything bigger,power wise. The best solution was to specifically look for high voltage generators, and get one at a specific voltage. You can do the same thing with one of those flyswatters and a strainer for $5. I was looking for schematics and instructions several years ago and came across a Grass-Tech on Amazon. So why would anyone want to spend more money then needed? What Are the Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts? If you later shift to a wall wart and your static grass applicator doesnt pull the grass, makes noises or emits a sudden burst of smoke or stench, it is the power supply that is bad and the generator HAD BEEN good. Nothing compares to these for making finely detailed scenery. You can build one for yourself in a few hours and for about $20 in materials with a little dedication and work. He showed me to a workbench where he was making patches of grass on a cookie sheet. Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos. Theres also a really good way to make one without the fly swatter using a sieve and some old Tupperware that Luke Towan of Boulder Creek Railroad goes into detail on making in this video here: Check out these handy tools to optimize your use of a static grass applicator. You can buy one that is plug and play or a kit to build one. On the loose end of the wire attach a banana clip. Most commercial grass applicators take this form. The creator, Luke Towan, has a bunch of equally awesome how-to videos on making trees, rivers and streams, polystyrene buildings, and all sorts of components for terrain boards and dioramas. And read what people using it have said about it Click Here. They fly away with memory loss but ready to continue to irritate. Roll your own, use the simple unit or the kit built unit. That grass really looks great. I found the photo of my grass zapper. catherine.vandamme liked The Trash Printer - Version 3. makeyourownmaker liked Minamil: a minimal CNC mill.
We hope that you found the information in this page useful. A project collaboration and documentation platform. The grass on the layout looked like a carpet of wheat, like you'd see in Wyoming--simply the best grass I've ever seen. The output will vary according to the input voltage. It doesnt have what you want but it always has what you needed to use. The only downside for many modelers has been the high upfront cost of the tool. How You Can Make Your Christmas Tree Train Even Better, How to Choose the Right Power Supply for Model Trains. Please donate $1 or more to aid us in our continuing quest to add to and polish the information in our site. There are a bunch of Youtube videos on how to make one.
It must attach to the handle of the zapper in place of the zapper head. kelvinA has updated the log for SecSavr Suspense [gd0105]. I never actually built a model railroad or any kind of diorama (maybe once Ive had kids and theyre out of the house) but at the same time, it is a fun hobby to enjoy vicariously through Youtube. Solder the wire ends and put the batteries in. This metal will have a charge when the applicator is in use. Speaking of shocks, be prepared for sticker shock when buying static grass material. David Galloway wrote a comment on project log A Pencil Eraser Trick. https://steamtraininfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/pullinggrassshort.mp4. Anyway, the idea is that you distribute a fine filament over the surface, and then use static electricity to make the blades of grass stand up vertically. About Simulated Grass and the Static Grass Applicator, Run Several Trains Simultaneously with Block Operation.
I guess grass applicator preference can be likened to wire stripper choices. Weve found that mixing in a little water with the glue helps the consistency over the terrain and also helps the grass stand a little better. You will need a grounding wire. Use the screwdriver to push the halves open. A stiff wire can be a pain around some scenery details. And if you want the convenience of a kit , and the pleasure of avoiding your own I should have bought the kit moment, you can get one here. Remove the plastic handle by unscrewing, prying, or any means necessary. The concept is to spread a fine filament of PVA glue over your model landscape before using static electricity to get the grass to stand up.
If you want all the parts, tested and proven, in one package, go here. It's easy to put down too much. Ed, nice job on the static grass and I couldn't help noticing those lovely PC Tangent freight cars. Mixes of 50/50 or 70/30 water to PVA have shown to provide the best results. And the most expensive part seems to be the negative ion generator. 18 gauge works well, but the size is not critical (use whatever you have on hand from your layout). If you are going to be doing basic static grass work, one of these is fine. Yes his videos are on the longer side. That got us to talking about static grass applicators. Electric flyswatter (The one shown here came from Harbor Freight). Free E-books How To Make Static Grass Applicators, High Voltage Anion Generator 15kv DC Output 12v DC Input For Static Grass Applicators And Flock Boxes, How To Make A Cheap Static Grass Applicator, How To Make A High Voltage Air Purifier Ionizer DIY 15 kvDC 12 v DC Input, How To Make A Static Grass Applicator Using The StaticGrassKing Kit, How To Make Your Own DIY Flock Box Cheap And Easy, How To Maker A High Voltage Shaker Type Static Grass Applicator 15 kvDC Output 12vDC Input. These will be stored in your browser only with your consent and you have the option to opt-out. With a little work and some basic skills, you can build your own in about 30 minutes and for around $10. Sometimes Horror Fright has them Free with a purchase and coupon, https://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?dir=asc&order=EAScore%2Cf%2CEAFeatured+Weight%2Cf%2CSale+Rank%2Cf&q=fly+swatter, https://www.google.com/search?q=Harbor+Freight+fly+swatter+coupon&client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=2Q___qpHOTi0jM%253A%252C6dvA1MFo8UgYLM%252C_&usg=__6S3uMAZvRnD9EKzPovukZat4oeA%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYs6Hl7P3ZAhUQCawKHaWsACEQ9QEIZzAL#imgrc=_. Use a heavy metal cut-off disk in a motor tool to cut the bars to length. Solder the wires to the leads. By far the most useful tool is either a tea or vegetable strainer. You can get them here. And the easiest way to put it down and give it a natural look is to use a static grass applicator. Just put in the batteries, and you are ready to start planting grass. These are the creations of people who decided to roll their own.
Looks easy enough. applicator A static grass applicator offers better control over the application of the grass blades on the surface. This makes the entire grass layering process much simpler. Anion Generator. Use the screwdriver to pry apart the halves, exposing the wires inside. Might have a hard time getting warranty coverage on a decoder that saw 50 Kv! The setup used here reminds us of the DIY powder coating we covered a few years back. The green wire is the ground that you connect to the surface of your scene.
First, unscrew the back of the fly swatters handle.
(I'll try to get a photo of the one I built but it really doesn't look all that fancy). When it comes to blending various grasses, your desired look will dictate the undercoat color.
I watched a bunch of those. You can add unique dispensers to do such things as add static grass branches to trees wire, wooden and plastic armature-based trees. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. And if you really want, you can use it as a shaker type dispenser. Headquake on YouTube is another one worth earmarking, his scratch built RC cars are amazing. The thin black and red wires go to your power supply. Hackaday Podcast 179: Danger Chess, Corona Motors, An Omni-Walker, And A Fast Talking Telescope, This Week In Security: Symbiote, Smart Locks, And CosmicStrand, Your Own Engineering Workstation, With Mame. This looks like a fun project, and Im actually interested in terrain modeling, but I dont see how its a real money saver. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This is used to setup an electric charge between the grid of the applicator and a long wire that gets attached to the piece youre working on. He directs production at Lionel, the premier model train manufacturer, and he istheformer president of theConrail HistoricalSociety. Cut the handle to stop the bars from reaching the circuit board. And giving back is the best. Ryan Kunkle is a nationally recognized professional model train expert and writer with over 25 years of experience. The premier publication of maker projects, skill-building tutorials, in-depth reviews, and inspirational stories, accessible by all ages and skill ranges. When the job's done, that investment sits around collecting dust. Your choice here will be recorded for all Make.co Websites. Unscrew the back of the handle to access the electronics inside. Still might build one though, because hey. Once youre done layering the static grass, dust it with a little hairspray. The two wires must also be routed out of the handle. I've got the parts for the fly swatter grass applicator too and was getting ready to try it but my last layout was torn down last July so scenery will have to wait for a year or two. Rio Grande. It essentially helps us earn a few dollars at no extra cost to you, to help pay for upkeep on this website. Simulated grasses have been around for many years. Separate glass jars eliminate this problem. Get dozens of projects in every issue covering DIY electronics, 3D printing, craft, and more, Learn tips and skill-building tutorials from experts in the maker community.
We advise that the first time a static grass applicator is tested, it be tested with a 9 v DC battery. Mix and blend static grass lengths and colors for a more realistic look. Clip the wires, leaving enough lead to solder new wires for our tool. applicator 12vdc generator Then he connected the clip to the cookie sheet, put some static grass in the strainer and gently shook it. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'myhobbymodels_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_0',118,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myhobbymodels_com-large-leaderboard-2-0')};The short answer is a big and relatively easy yes! The static grass is distributed over the glue coated surface through a metal sieve while you hold a metal stick to your layout to provide it with the static charge. Another part of the technique is to allow the glue or paint to set a bit after using the static applicator then carefully passing a vacuum hose over the area which gets more of the grass standing and thins out the un-stuck fibers. The unit to the left is a very popular, inexpensive, powerful, and easy to build static grass applicator. But I still love dioramas and watching someone skilled in making them. Click Here to check it out.
You'll find all of the electronics on a small circuit board near the head of the zapper. I hope they work their way into producing more cars from the steam era, but I guess the modern stuff sells better and pays the bills! Your grass needs more than a mental shock. The TruePower Static Grass Applicator is a great model that comes with 3 different head attachments; these let you change how much grass youre putting down at any one time, making sure you get a realistic-looking grass. There's a thread HERE showing how I built mine. Strip a small amount of insulation from the end of the short wire and thread it through the screen. With this information in hand, you should be able to make a high voltage output static grass applicator or flock box. With a good generator in hand, and a little planning, you can roll your own. Static grass for train layouts can become a true challenge if they find their way into track and points. Here is a short video showing how the generator pulls when powered by a 9 v DC battery. It doesnt matter how much grass you add, youll still see through it slightly, so a bright white baseboard is going to be an issue. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, On the flip side, this device isnt very complicated. This is finefor smaller applications, but planting an entire field can take hours and yield rough results. You can even make your own from twine and other products. Negative Ion Generator Designed Especially For Use In Static Grass Applicators And Flock Boxes, Static Grass Applicator Customer Reviews What People Have Said About Our Products, Static Grass Applicator High Voltage And DIY Flock Box Construction Description And Specifications, Useful Static Grass Applicator Tools To Use To Make Better Scenery, Arduino For Model Railroaders And Diorama Builders Sketch Book Filled With Projects, Static Grass Applicators & Anion Generators. Now I should mention that the layout does not hurt for money. I decided I didn't need to scratch-build it after all. I also use fly swatter, it cost me 4 and it does great job (and I use really short blades of grass for my 1:72 models). A Static Grass Applicator is very specialized tool used by model makers to create realistic grass. It wasnt until the Noch brand introduced the first static electric applicators that adding static grass to your layouts really took off. Youll find a small circuit boarding holding all the electronics near the zappers head. I have not made one myself, but I held a HF flyswatter in my hand just this morning and decided to go the homemade route. We will show you some below. Which is a fancy way of saying that it just gives your entire layout a static charge that makes the grass stand on end, kind of like your own body hair if you were statically charged (like rubbing a balloon on your arm for example). I have been watching lukes videos for a long time. They are what one would describe as general purpose static grass applicators.
One wire is linked to the inner web while the other to the outer. All things model trains, planes, automobiles and scale hobbies. Attach the kitchen sieve to the handle of the zapper. Poly Pipe For Handle For Tea Strainer Anything that will hold the strainer handle wrapped with electrical tape. One wire will go to the sieve and one to the layout, but that will come later. Many people who use this anion generator either for a roll your own or kit built applicator, stay with the 9 v DC battery. Some allow for a feedback loop to develop that burns out the generator. by applying a small electrical current to make them stand up, youll find that your grass looks great as soon as it hits your layout and you wont have to spend hours trying to meticulously brush your hand-placed grass to look natural. Some wall warts have an AC component to the DC output. They are very well done, and interesting to those interested in models/model making, and dioramas. Model Train Lubrication what to use and what not to! What little wiring there is simply provides a switch and some status LEDs. Less then $10.00 with batteries,and about 20 min.work. And that AC component burns out your anion generator. Unlike the single unit applicator that has to be emptied and reloaded, only the tops have to be switched. Looks easy enough. At the time I made mine the ion generators were scarce! Chasmitha Vadlamudi has updated details to One touch cozy mood. Fortunately, I thought about this before I began my grass-work. Because its so tiny, its really easy to achieve a good bond with a good layer of PVA, that will allow you to either shake off the leftover grass, or even vacuum it off the layout if you do it carefully.
Easy to control where the grass is being applied. A smart collection of books, magazines, electronics kits, robots, microcontrollers, tools, supplies, and more curated by us, the people behind Make: and the Maker Faire. The design [Luke] has come up with lets the user switch between and internal 9V battery for portability, or an external 12V wall adapter for larger projects. The remaining metal handle must then be cut to length. Of course, the guy needed to look up the contact information and I forgot to remind him before I left. It seems like I invariably get the screen too close to the metal push-pin I use as a ground. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. A perfect example of I should have gotten the kit.. Fix Old Caps, But Keep That Can Capacitor Look, New OS For Commodore 64 Adds Modern Features. REMOVE your DCC equipped locomotives from the area! Many a person after burning out an anion generator or two rolling his own has said, I should have bought the kit.. Ryan developsmodeltrainlayouts for public andprivate display. Is it 4:20 already? Topics such as microcontrollers including Arduino and Raspberry Pi, Drones and 3D Printing, and more. PVA (white glue) is undoubtedly the best glue to stick static grass in place. Details are here. There is a BIG variety in the colors and types of static grass available, too. Wire. We also give a few tips and tricks on how to handle the applicator better and get the most out of it as well! Typically, static grass tools are priced at about $130.00 (the cost of a new locomotive formanyscales). applicator So if you refill without cleaning, you end up mixing your grasses. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. If youre in a hurry, or have just made a quick google search because youre in the market for a new one, you cant go past the TruePower Grass Applicator. A static grass applicator is nothing more than a negative iron generator connected to a grass dispenser with some convenience items around it. Very popular and a often viewed guest in how to this or that videos. Both are excellent for adding static grass over large areas.
Wire 18 to 24 gauge is fine. I think that's about the minimum I need to get the "natural" look that I'm after with my scenery. Building the chamber to hold the grass filament as well as the handle which houses the electronics will take longer than anything else, and even that seems pretty straightforward. POW! But what if you have a smaller layout or budget? I have to chuckle a bit every time I think about doing the grass. Theres absolutely no reason you 100% definitely need to get a static grass applicator if youre into model trains. Electrolytes, Theyre What Dehydrated Hackaday Writers Crave! You can always get away with sprinkling grass on with your hand, or coming up with other creative solutions. It is nothing more than some wine bottle cork feet on a piece of MDF, a switch, connectors and anion generator. Static Grass Applicator Basics About The Types And Comparative Advantages, How To Make A DIY Static Grass Applicator.
Reattach the top of the handle. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'myhobbymodels_com-box-4','ezslot_5',114,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myhobbymodels_com-box-4-0')};The tools youll need to make your own static grass applicator are listed below: Theres a bunch of different methods to make a static grass applicator, but here are the steps to make one with an electric fly swatter.
Join the short wire to the hopper and put an alligator clip in the longer one. How To Test And Troubleshoot A Static Grass Applicator. Some wall warts, even though they should not, have an AC component to the output.
It does what its intended to . We recommend against wasting your time making one of these. This is definitely more complex but it has a nice look about it and now works well. Solder the wires. ), Best Model Train Manufacturers and Brands, TruePower Static Grass Applicator for Railway Terrain Modeling Diorama - Electrostatic Flocking Machine for Velvet Dashboard, Jewelry Box. The challenge with these, however, is that each clump has to be planted individually by hand. This next step will take a little trial and error. So that you dont lose this page, the video will open in a new window. (Comment Policy). My favorite, Silflor, goes for $10-12 for a cup and a quarter of grass. This is a fantastically useful tool. Some of these are essential for the basic functionalities of our websites. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. mud brown or as realistic to what you think the dirt below would look like. Membership connects and supports the people and projects that shape our future and supports the learning initiatives for the next generation of makers. So it is a matter of deciding how you would like to proceed.
Everything You Need to Know About Using Curved Track With Model Trains, Building and Wiring Model Railroad Reverse Loops, Most Common Types of Model Train Switches, Make a Bracelet or Necklace Using Wire and Crimps, Know These Principals Before You Buy an Electric Kiln, Things to Check When Your Model Train Won't Run.
As a kid, I spent hours reading about model railroading. So check the polarity of your power supply! The best part occurs when you run a little static electricity through them and makes the fibres, or blades of grass, stand on end. They have low pulling power and the dispensers are usually to small to prevent the grass from flying about when one shakes them. Your choice here can make a big difference. So just take a mason jar and wire it up. Add another buck for batteries (some of the older ones used 9V but these have two AAs and seem to work just fine). The material can also be applied to trees to represent pine needles and many othertrackside details. As mentioned before, a static grass applicator is a tool used to make realistic grass for train layouts. total investment really paid off. Use your bench top power supply, layout power bus, or track power. Switch This can make you or break you. If this is your choice, you can get one here. That is why we recommend testing the unit with a 9v DC battery. One is the single unit shaker such as the one you see at the left. The grass leaped through the strainer and stuck in the adheasive like 1000 tiny arrows, every piece perfectly vertical. Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. You can also make weeds, tufts, and grass patches as well as add branches to trees (wire trees, of course). grass flocking applicator modelling scenic machine master diy One has to be a few inches long and it will connect to the sieve. I wanted to see what I could do with the fly-swatter option before investing a larger amount of cash toward the project. Two small wires protrude to the head from the head. The fly swatter circuits tend to be 4kV 6kV, low but does an okay job and will still cost you less then these ion generators. Dont feel bad if you didnt know that, neither did we. Our websites use cookies to improve your browsing experience.
If youre looking for the best static grass, you should take a look at both woodland scenics or something like WWS Static Grass. And he has a new best-of writing collection and lazy mans memoir, called Borg Like Me. These applicators are essentially whats known as a static field generator. I couldn't find Grass Tech, but I did find this, which looks a lot like the one I saw. You can make a simple, inexpensive flock box simply by using a backing pan and alligator clip. Just solder a wire to the strainer, slip it through a piece of poly pipe and wrap the pipe with electrical tape. Make sure to save the screws and the small push button which activates the device. A free program that lights childrens creative fires and allows them to explore projects in areas such as arts & crafts, science & engineering, design, and technology.
Thread a little insulation through the screen. It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. Make: contributor Andrew Lewis spotted this well-documented build of an applicator on Hackaday and shared it with me. The problem i found with most of these build plans is the use of an ion generator aside from the added cost simply because its labelled ion generator is they come in a wide range of voltages (1kV 10kV) and most are never actually labelled with the output voltage. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'myhobbymodels_com-box-3','ezslot_8',108,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-myhobbymodels_com-box-3-0')};Static grass, or whats known as flocking, is a super-easy way to lay down some grass on your model train layout. Attach the short wire to the sieve and install an alligator clip on the long wire. (Remember this when you are using the tooldo not complete the circuit!). okay another cool trick learned. As the grass consistently falls from the sieve, it stands upright as it hits the charged layout. That is like the video's I watched today. I did accidentally hit the rail once or twice! Please be kind and respectful to help make the comments section excellent. Two small wires extend from the board to the head. Maker-written books designed to inform and delight! It is a synthetic fiber, colored to look like grasses, that is glued to a surface and then made to stand on end with the aid of static electricity. Thank you, Rio Grande! Tighten the screws and if necessary for added strength (or just to make the unit look better) wrap the handle in tape. Male and Female Banana Clips Any clip will do. I too watch all his stuff, I never made one before, not interested in trains. At 35 USD a complete unit on Ali, I dont see the point of making one. Batteries(size suitable for the electric fly swatter). Why? https://www.amazon.com/StaticGrassKing-Applicator-Homemade-ElectroStatic-Application/dp/B071W6L9Z8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523922684&sr=8-1&keywords=static+grass+applicator+kit. swatter electric Model Train Lubrication - what to use and what not to! By using our website and services, you expressly agree to the placement of our performance, functionality and advertising cookies. In any case, you can power it with anything between 4.5 and 12 v DC. A nice, cost effective alternative to building your own that comes with different sized meshes for various applications. Given the impressive results shown in the video after the break, its actually pretty surprising how simple the device is. Most dont but you only need one. Look here. I have gotten my fingers between probe and screen,I don't think I want anything bigger,power wise. The best solution was to specifically look for high voltage generators, and get one at a specific voltage. You can do the same thing with one of those flyswatters and a strainer for $5. I was looking for schematics and instructions several years ago and came across a Grass-Tech on Amazon. So why would anyone want to spend more money then needed? What Are the Wire Gauge Standards for Model Train Layouts? If you later shift to a wall wart and your static grass applicator doesnt pull the grass, makes noises or emits a sudden burst of smoke or stench, it is the power supply that is bad and the generator HAD BEEN good. Nothing compares to these for making finely detailed scenery. You can build one for yourself in a few hours and for about $20 in materials with a little dedication and work. He showed me to a workbench where he was making patches of grass on a cookie sheet. Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos. Theres also a really good way to make one without the fly swatter using a sieve and some old Tupperware that Luke Towan of Boulder Creek Railroad goes into detail on making in this video here: Check out these handy tools to optimize your use of a static grass applicator. You can buy one that is plug and play or a kit to build one. On the loose end of the wire attach a banana clip. Most commercial grass applicators take this form. The creator, Luke Towan, has a bunch of equally awesome how-to videos on making trees, rivers and streams, polystyrene buildings, and all sorts of components for terrain boards and dioramas. And read what people using it have said about it Click Here. They fly away with memory loss but ready to continue to irritate. Roll your own, use the simple unit or the kit built unit. That grass really looks great. I found the photo of my grass zapper. catherine.vandamme liked The Trash Printer - Version 3. makeyourownmaker liked Minamil: a minimal CNC mill. We hope that you found the information in this page useful. A project collaboration and documentation platform. The grass on the layout looked like a carpet of wheat, like you'd see in Wyoming--simply the best grass I've ever seen. The output will vary according to the input voltage. It doesnt have what you want but it always has what you needed to use. The only downside for many modelers has been the high upfront cost of the tool. How You Can Make Your Christmas Tree Train Even Better, How to Choose the Right Power Supply for Model Trains. Please donate $1 or more to aid us in our continuing quest to add to and polish the information in our site. There are a bunch of Youtube videos on how to make one.
It must attach to the handle of the zapper in place of the zapper head. kelvinA has updated the log for SecSavr Suspense [gd0105]. I never actually built a model railroad or any kind of diorama (maybe once Ive had kids and theyre out of the house) but at the same time, it is a fun hobby to enjoy vicariously through Youtube. Solder the wire ends and put the batteries in. This metal will have a charge when the applicator is in use. Speaking of shocks, be prepared for sticker shock when buying static grass material. David Galloway wrote a comment on project log A Pencil Eraser Trick. https://steamtraininfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/pullinggrassshort.mp4. Anyway, the idea is that you distribute a fine filament over the surface, and then use static electricity to make the blades of grass stand up vertically. About Simulated Grass and the Static Grass Applicator, Run Several Trains Simultaneously with Block Operation.
I guess grass applicator preference can be likened to wire stripper choices. Weve found that mixing in a little water with the glue helps the consistency over the terrain and also helps the grass stand a little better. You will need a grounding wire. Use the screwdriver to push the halves open. A stiff wire can be a pain around some scenery details. And if you want the convenience of a kit , and the pleasure of avoiding your own I should have bought the kit moment, you can get one here. Remove the plastic handle by unscrewing, prying, or any means necessary. The concept is to spread a fine filament of PVA glue over your model landscape before using static electricity to get the grass to stand up.