Static Grass Applicator
(Please forgive the layout of this post, I have a hell of a time with this site getting images to simply align in the order I want. It may be a Firefox thing. You can find a more organized post here on my site).
I've been playing with scenery, and wanted to move my testing onto the static grass. The applicators seem the way to go, but I'd rather spend $200 with one of the advertisers here before buying a Noch version.
Thanks to this website that had a great break down of items to purchase, I got the parts, and started whipping my homemade version into shape.
The key, it seems, is the negative ion generator. I know some folks have had luck with a electronic fly swatter, but in the middle of winter they're kind of hard to find, so I went ahead and ordered one of these. As an added bonus, it is 12 volt.
First up was a rough approximation of the tutorial.
I realized after beginning construction that the shape isn't relevant to the function (or at least I believe). What is important is that the wiring is sound. The package is in some degree not material as long as the grass passes through the screen that is receiving the charge.
Based on that, and that I was having a hard time getting the two parts above to adhere, I went with a simpler model. It is smoked almond container, with the screen not glued in, but just pinned by the cap and the top of the jar. I liked the thicker plastic, and duct tape seemed to hold the electonics pretty securely.
This ion generator is from the automotive world, and is 12 volt, which is the same voltage i realized as my MRC 12 volt powerpack. I have that powerpack on a toggle switch so I can go between DC and DCC on my layout; I figured why bother with another power source? The Red and Black alligator clips attach to any rail section, the green is for the ground. I just clip them on and fire up the powerpack to 80/90%.
My question for this educated audience is the results. I am 98% sure the wiring is right as it makes a noise, and static electricity increases as the mesh gets close to the ground, but does the end result look right? As I haven't seen any in person, I'd like you to evaluate the before and after, just to confirm if I'm on the right track, or if I need to return to the drawing board. At the end, please find a before and after picture of the test area.
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No
Nope, truth be told, I seem to be getting a good static charge as is.
your grass looks fine
There's a big difference from the dirt patch you started with.
I don't think you can beat thin fibres for representing grass; ground foam just doesn't cut it.
Here's a shot of my S scale module with Scenic Express grass applied using a Noch Grassmaster. We used different shades to show areas where it would be drier or more water would collect.
There's still a big patch of dirt off to the right of the siding where a structure will be placed.
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Nifty tool! Red Green would
Nifty tool!
Red Green would be proud of you, probably invite you to the lodge!
Length
Bobcatt, what length of grass is that? 2,4, 6 mm?
how tall
It must have been 6mm, but it actually looks longer. I really wanted it to appear as untended fields. Keep in mind I work in S (my friend with the Noch gun works in O) so a 6mm strand is 15" long in 1:64.
We did try some of the Woodland Scenics static grass in one area, but did not like the way it came out; too "fuzzy" and lacking definition. I've heard people complain that the Scenic Express grass is too "shiny" but, if you stand in a field of tall grass waving in the sunlight, you see many glints of light reflecting off the broad blade surfaces unless it's the end of August and everything is burnt & dry.
Here's a reverse angle of the previous shot. The flat area next to the turnout now has a (removable) scratchbuilt speeder shed. A good friend of mine built the split-rail fencing around the farmer's field.
...
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how about some bare patches
Looks good. I'd add a little more textural variety to the grassy fields. In the wild, and the local HS field, grass tends to grow in clumps. Only in lawns does one typically see such uniform coverage.
Bernard Kempinski
early pics
Hi Bernie,
SInce the preceeding pics were taken (right after the grass application) shrubs, trees, and a variety of scruffy looking things have been added. I don't have pics of the current state, but I can show an intermediate one.
Telephone poles and conifer trees are from MountainView Depot. Available in a variety of sizes.
Still a lot of detail to add. It's surprising how much effort is required for even a small space (the module covers about 20 ft2). As an aside, where I grew up it was not uncommon to see acres of fairly uniform wild grass by the roadside or trackside.
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Mixed Grass
One thing I tried on this area
was mixing grass -- I put in 1 part 4mm autumn to 3 parts 6mm late summer. If you look, you can see the mix. I'm kind of happy with the blend. Does anyone else have a mix they like to employ?
I still need to add other plants, and details to this area as well.
Looks good
Looks good. Building an applicator is on my todo list.
Chris
“If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older.” My modest progress Blog
A happy Jar
I've finalized on this container.
The mason jar (quart) size works well, as the glass is non-conductive, the material is very easy to clean out. Also, with the lid, you don't have to cut a perfect piece of screen, I found that I could cut it too large, and simply screw it on tight.