I tried my hand (haha) at planting field grass for the first time this weekend. Got some Woodland scenics grass and Woodland Scenics Hob-e-Tac. What I need to know is how to plant this stuff without it becoming a furry mess! Tried using small spring clamps to hold the tufts of grass, but then they inevitably get the Hob e Tac on them and the grass won’t stop sticking to them! Please advise…[B)]
Try putting the glue on the layout instead of your hands! [:D] Just kidding!
Seriously though, I’d apply the glue to the final resting place and then apply the grass. I don’t know about the WS stuff though as I’ve not worked with it personally. I have always used carpet fibers for grass, both long and short.
Maybe somebody else could give you a more specific answer. [8D]
I brush carpenter’s wood glue on the area I’m “planting” and then shake the WS grass on it and GENTLY pat it down. Then, when it dries [about a hour to be safe], I vacuum it to remove the excess. Have not used the WS glues.
Drill holes in the layout where you want the grass. Put white glue in the hole. Place a small amount of grass in the hole. Let dry. Smash grass down with screwdriver handle to flatten and spread out. Trim strands to desired height.
Weeds in front of fence were done using this method:
See, I told you one of these bright gents would have the answer!
I applied the Hob-E-Tac first, then used tweezers to stick the grass into it. Be careful not to get Hob-E-Tac on your tweezers.
i purchased one of the field grass planting tools from Micromark. It worked really well, but let me let you into a secret, you can make one yourself.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81751
Take an old fine paint brush. Pull out the brush hairs. Take a needle with a large eye, a darning needle for example. Jam it point first into the hole in the paint brush where the brush hairs came from. Cut the needle accross the eye to make the V groove and voila! This is exactly what you get for $5.50.
The tool is a must-have. Great idea making your own (they eventually get gummed up).
Also it’s a good idea to mix several colors of grass before planting. I mix them, cut the bunch in half (double-up), plant it with glue inhole, then trim most of it away. Even then the “grass” is almost as tall as HO people.
I’m now looking at “prarie tufts” from Scenic Express:
http://www.sceneryexpress.com/Default.asp
Maybe these will work for me if I jab them with paint on a a toothpick to get color variation.
Wait for the “crop circles” next!
I have a web article on the use of faux fur for making model grass at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/fur_grass/
Here is an example on my OO scale (4mm/ft) 1870’s railroad the former On30 Pacific Coast Air Line Railway.
Thank you if you visit
Harold
Trainnut,
Love the photo! I really like the job you did on the various fences that are there - great paiting/staining/weathering effort to be sure. I especially like the retaining wall in the bottom left of the pic. Is that a waterfront?
Dave,
Yes it was a waterfront scene. I never got around to pouring the water but everything else was pretty much done. The pier is scratchbuilt.
and another view
On the layout or his hands??? [:D] [:p]
Well, on the Official Woodland Scenics Subterrain Video (insert large fanfare here), it shows a guy planting the field grass by putting a small dot of Hob-E-Tac on the layout and then holding a clump of grass by the top and sticking the bottom of the clump on the Hob-E-Tac. That’s if you’re planting it vertically, of course.