I don’t want to buy a Noch applicator so I was wondering if anyone knows how to build one from scratch.
There was an article in one of the magazines some time ago re building one. Check MR’s magazine index to see if it can be located.
I looked into this a while back and came to the conclusion that if you want a real electrostatic applicator, buy one, all of the parts to build one cost almost as much as Noch’s. There are other ways to use static electricity (Lou Sassi) but I have not had any luck. I have borrowed a Noch and will probably buy one eventually. I will track this thread to see if anything new emerges.
Rub the balloon on your head, then pull it away. Your hair will stick out and look really funny. (This can also happen when you comb your hair with a plastic comb.) What if you hold the balloon near your arm? Can you feel the hairs on your arm move? Will it work on doll hair? How about animal fur?
A Xerox machine uses static electricity to make copies. When you rub a balloon on your head, the balloon is charged with electricity. Inside a Xerox machine is a plastic drum that is also charged. When you put a piece of paper on the glass, a copy of it goes onto the drum. Where there were dark places on the paper, the static charge on the drum attracts the black plastic toner powder. Then the powdered places go onto a blank piece of paper, and the paper is heated. The toner melts and makes black letters on the new piece of paper.
use it to stand up the grass
Hey, tig…
I collected some info and in the end I decided that the Noch device was a real bargain considering the risk and expense of building my own electrostatic applicator. If you’re in the mood to experiment, continue reading…
Get a copy of “Scenery Tips and Techniques” published by Kalmbach. My second printing edition was published in 1990, so you might have to search for this old book. I bought my copy on eBay, but you might find the book at your local library. It includes the article “Zap-texturing for foliage” by D. Derek Verner. There are two parts to the device, an applicator to hold and sprinkle the turf material and a high voltage generator to create the electric charge that makes the turf stand up.
In the article, Verner provides an explanation of the process and a diagram of the applicator which he built himself. He uses a device called a Wimshurst Electrostatic Machine as the high voltage generator. He purchased the WEM from Edmund Scientific and you’ll find that this product is about the same price as the Noch device. No advantage there! The applicator diagram is worth keeping, though.
A search of the web will provide multiple sources for plans of high voltage power supplies, both electromechanical and electronic. Proceed with caution when working with high voltage! Injury or death may result!
Here’s an idea that I considered but have not spent time to pursue. You can generate a static charge by rubbing a cloth along a length of pvc pipe. Here’s a link to a diagram and explanation:
http://home.earthlink.net/~lenyr/stat-gen.htm
What about attaching the applicator to the end of the pvc pipe and using the cloth to generate the charge? It’s cheap and it just might work! Any other readers care to comment on this idea? Please post your thoughts!
Hope this info is helpful!
Bruce J.
I checked through my old MR mags and didn’t find anything.
Then I tried the ballon trick. It works a little , but the charge doesn’t last long, you have to make multiple passes and it’s a real pain to have to re-chearge the ballon after each pass.
I have the book “Scenery Tips and Techniques”. I will take a look at it.
It looks like I’m going to have to break down and buy a Noch!
Oh well. Thank you for all your suggestions.
Tig
I remember reading, way back in elementary school when science was a required topic, that rubbing a satin cloth on an amber rod would generate a lot of static electricity. But where can you find an amber rod?
Stop being cheap and buy the Noch Gassmaster. If you have a few other buddies split the cost. You’ll spend as much or more trying to being one from scratch and in the porcess you might electrocute yourself. Not worth the risk for $100. I’ve got one and the results are spectacular. When I showed the module with static grass one it everyone at the show want to know what it was, how it was done, and if they could ‘pet’ it. Tried the ballon - you don;t get enough of a charge, plus you have to apply the grass first and then get it to stand up. The Grassmaster applies the grass so it stands up.
Back in the 1970s I was the first to import Noch Static Grass into the U.S. (Boyd Models).
At that time it came in a flexible plastic bottle which you simply squeezed and the grass came flying out and adhered to the white glue very nicely. I don’t understand why modelers are paying almost $100. therse days to get the same effect.
The squeeze bottle is still available from Noch. Looking at the scenery express online catalog it lists for $3.98. At that price you can get several and have different colors of static grass in them to make the job go faster. I don’t remember off of the top of my head where it’s posted online, but someone did a side by side comparision of the bottle type and the electrostic type applicators and found that suprisingly the bottle type did just as good of a job as the expensive electrostic type. The trick was to only fill the bottle half full and you’ll have to do more passes. Control and application was same.
Nate
I’ve tried the squeeze bottles and felt the results were unsatisfactory. No control, inconsistent results. The Grassmaster is so easy that my 8 year old did it and got great results.
One of lesson I’ve learned is that having/using the proper tools makes the job easier and yields better results. This is true for almost all things. For example, you can probably do most of the mechanical work on your car with an adjustable wrench, vise grips and some screwdrivers, but it will take a lot longer and probably end up rounding off nuts etc. but if you used the proper tools like socket wrenches, an air gun etc, it will go quicker and better. Or, you could build your entire bench work using a handsaw, a handrill and a screwdriver. Will it be as good as using power tools? Probably not and will take you longer. Airbrush vs. Spray cans; external mix airbrush vs. internal mix airbrush; snap switch vs. shinohara; toy train power pack vs. a quality MRC pack. If you want good results you need to be willing to spend the money and buy the proper tools.
I’ve had mixed results with the plastic squeeze bottles as well on the Noch static grass. In my upcoming scenery video volume 5, I’ll be showing how to apply the static grass and get it to stand up properly without having to purchase the static applicator. I’m expecting the video to come out about February of next year instead of this fall as originally planned (my wife unexpectedly ended up in the hospital and several surgeries, which has been taking my time away from working on trains and doing videos – but she’s doing well now).
jfugate
nice to see that things are geting better
and I for one will like to see how you get the grass to work
I have not got to that part of my layout but I will sure need more grass
thanks for jumping in and giving us all a heads up
the buddster
I have been looking online and here is what I found.
http://www.racooke.com/images/HOW%20TO/Static/Making%20a%20Static%20Grass%20Applicator.pdf
Haven’t tried it or tried to get the parts but it does look intriguing.
Be Wise Beware Be Safe
“Mountain Goat” Greg
Modle Railroader Teamwork: Together we solve problems
For the part go to www.goldmine-elec.com and search for “negative ion generator”
Be Careful. Note the Cautions