Hello everyone,
I am about to try my hand in applying static grass on my new layout. I have the Scenic Express catalog.and there are a few manufactures who make static grass listed. Noch, Hiki, Woodland Scenic and others. I see they make, 2mm, 4mm,5mm etc… So my question is; which of all those brands and type, (for those of you who used it) do you feel get the best results in H.O? Thank you all in advance.
Sam
PS
By the way, I made my own Static Grass applicator out of the electric fly swatter.
The Heki 2mm is the only brand of static grass I have tried.
One caveat: You must have very fresh batteries in the fly swatter static grass applicator or it won’t work at all.
All of the mentioned static grass lengths will work in HO depending on how you want to use the static grass. The 2 mm grass will work for well maintained and mowed lawns. The longer grasses will work for overgrown lawns and wild grasses. So far, I have only used the Woodland Scenics 2mm static grass but have achieved good results using a fly swatter applicator. One thing I have discovered is that I prefer using wet paint to bond the grass to the layout surface as it anchors the grass nicely but does not wick up toward the top of the grass fibers. I find that scenic cements and diluted glues tend to wick up the length of the grass fibers resulting in scrub brush stiff grass. When wet paint is used, the grass remains soft and pliant (feels similar to velvet) and you can use the paint color to compliment or contrast the grass color. A dark green paint makes a lawn look thicker while a brown paint makes a lawn look thinner with more dirt showing through the grass. Whatever grass, applicator or bonding agent you use, I would suggest you practice and experiment off of your layout. You will discover that the various results you achieve with different practice methods might be exactly what you need for particular scenes on your layout.
I bought a bunch of Noch, just because Eurorail is close to where I live and that’s all they carry. Try mixing different lengths, I think the more types used in field or wild grass situations makes it look better. Of course for that manicured look, pick the grass of choice. The grass in this pic came with all the little rocks you also see. It is suppose to be the Alberta foothills and I am happy with the result, so far.
My weapon of choice works very well.
Good luck.
Brent[C):-)]
I have used all of the brands of static grass that you mentioned. I like Silflor the best, but it is also the most expensive. Most of the static grass brands appear to be made from the same stuff, the variables are length and color.
Which brand is best will be somewhat driven by the effect that you are looking to model. I am after the California foothills “golden grass” look. The Silflor golden grass is the best color and length match for my purposes. I have found that many other brands would work in different lengths but are the wrong color… I have tried painting grass that has been applied to the layout with less than satisfactory results.
I generally mix different colors for a more realistic effect. I also suggest that you mask off areas that you dont want to have covered with stray, glue covered grass strands. Nothing like pulling glued on grass strands off of a structure!!
I have used the grass gun extensively on my layout. Go to the gallery section on the site in my signature for more examples of static grass.
Guy
Where can we get the plans/instrutions for the fly-swatter applicator? I am impressed with the results. Glenn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAEmcqc-yIc
The thing sucks batteries so I hooked up an old adapter with alligator clips. I have a box full of old adapters. I keep them all when I throw out whatever they came with. They come in handy for projects like this.
Good luck
Brent.[C):-)]
I attended an NMRA Divisional meet in Madison WI this last weekend and watched a static grass demonstration clinic by David Leider, who makes and sells his own static grass applicators. He mentioned that using a blend of colors and lengths of static grass can lead to impressive results.
One precaution mentioned by Dave, and several audience members, is to remove locomotives from the track, particularly DCC equipped or other decoder/sound equipped engines, when applying the static grass. I gathered that there have been cases where the high voltage of the “ground” went into nearby rails and raised havoc with the delicate electronic innards even with engines some distance away.
For the same reason I would think you may not want pets nosing around the area, assuming you are actually fond of that pet, that is.
Dave Nelson
What voltage do you put on one of these? Do you have to match the output of the batteries, or can you use a supply with a bit higher voltage?
The cheapo $4.00 fly swatter in the picture runs at 1.5 volts on AA batteries. I first hooked up a 6 volt adapter and got smoke when I hit the switch. I put the adapter on the meter and it showed 9.5 volts out. I found a 3 volt out adapter from an old rechargeable bicycle light system that seems to work (no smoke). I would definitely try and use the same voltage as these things are cheap and don’t seem to last that long when used for swatting flies.
My inlaws have a flyswatter in their RV that runs on a 9 volt battery. They paid $7.00 for it and boy does it pack a wallop. I can’t find a 9 volt one anywhere. I think the 9 volt one would handle using an adapter much better.
Maybe some of our electrical tech members can help us out with this as it is somewhat trial and error with me. But at $4.00 a fly swatter, I was willing to take the hit if it blew up.[(-D]
Brent[C):-)]