Static grass applicator
Hi all,
I've recently made a static grass applicator, using the parts of an electronic fly swatter, and a tea strainer.
I would like to make a slightly better/stronger one, using an old yogurt pot etc (they are easier to fill with static grass and won't spill over the sides. Also their plastic housing makes it possible to tap it a little with one hand without getting a shock.) I like the 'poor mans version' of the Noch grass master, as Joe Fugate demonstrates in his ten mile creek series. (excellent series of video's by the way, I can recommend them , as well as Mike's Algash scenery series but that's a whole different subject).
I'm looking for supliers of 12V negative ion generators. They seem to be very hard to come by. There are a few suppliers on e-bay, but I have not found any located in Europe that do , it seems the electronics shops do not sell them , I can only think this is because of safety concerns, but it seems like the build your own 'quick and easy' options are seriously difficult.
Reason for looking in europe is because that's where I'm located, and don't want to be hit with excessive shipping charges or import taxes etc.
Can anyone help?
Thanks, Koos
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3 volts is fine by me
3 volts...
Yes, I certainly found my fly swatter based 3 volt applicator did the job. On the other hand, I do find my 120 volt model allows me to hold the applicator further from the surface being worked and it can apply over a slightly larger overall area, with a tendency to yield very erect grass with little "lay down".
One thing is for sure, regardless of voltage, all the home built and commercial applicators will apply grass.
Glad to hear you are happy with yours!
~Kevin
Appreciating Modeling In All Scales but majoring in HO!
Not everybody likes me, luckily not everybody matters.
Oatley Electronics
I too ordered my 12volt ion generator from Oatley Electronics. They are located in Australia and I'm in the US, and the shipping was $14. Not cheap, but not ridiculous either, I'm happy I bought it and my unit works with a wall wart power supply, and really works well! You can hold the cup 2 inches or more away from the ground and actually see and hear the grass jumping from the cup to the ground, it pulls the grass through the strainer! And every blade stands up straight!
For a cup I used a RubberMaid see through cup with screw on lid. I like the see through cup so I can tell how much grass is in the chamber, and the screw on lid is just nice and secure.
Russell Kingery
Modeling N scale Norfolk Southern and CSX in VA
tea strainer
Well I've build the tea strainer/fly swatter version, and that works reasonably well. I can't say the fibers are being 'pulled' through though, so I need to tap the strainer lightly (on an insulated bit), and hold it fairly close, so a bit more power would work better, hence my order for a 12V generator.
Koos
Koos, Since we are in the
Koos,
Since we are in the same country, why don't we share the cost of the unit and shipping? I am bound to need one but it is not an item you use daily. Once you have the part you need to, you're kinda done....
Are you willing to consider? Shipping this in the UK to and from eachother is cheaper then each buying a unit.
Henk, UK