DIY static grass applicator

[Steve M]

My Peco static grass applicator has been found lacking recently and having stumbled on a couple of YouTube videos fro Luke Towan, I have decided to build my own as a replacement.
I know this is by no means a new idea but I thought I would share the process anyway.

I also found an online supplier of a full kit of electronic components and the negative ion generator - I have the kit, which includes a generator, plus a higher voltage generator on order. The plan is to use the updated one with them kit in this DIY version and use the generator in the kit to repair my detail applicator which coincidentally, is also being somewhat belligerent.

While waiting for the lecky bits, I made a start on the housing which is cobbled together from 40mm plastic pipe, assorted fittings (cut to make them less chunky) and a small tupperware type container. I also sourced some medium mesh, for short/medium fibers, from a kitchen sieve and some coarser steel mesh for longer fibers.
The mesh was epoxied into the container lids after cutting a hole in the lid.

20220417_142816 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

Assembled, the parts look like this but the handle will be reduced in length once I know how much space is needed for the electronic components.

20220417_153323 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

This could all still go horribly wrong.

[bulleidboy]

Steve - Can you buy the negative ion generator separately? I built my original static grass applicator from the plans shown on the Hornby site, by the late Chrissaf, and this was a variation of Luke Towans. I had to buy the generator from Australia. It sort of worked on a quick trial, but I may have left it to long before using again and the battery had died, so I bit the bullet and bought the Gaugemaster/Nock 3 version. This one has plastic mesh - does that matter?
The picture shows my original, a mixture of parts from Wickes plumbing department, a couple of food containers from Amazon, and two sizes of mesh from a supplier mentioned in the original post.

IMG_1213 by Barry Clayton, on Flickr

[Steve M]

Yes Barry, here’s a link for the generator that I ordered.

https://www.railwayscenics.com/12v-2000 ... -3097.html

[bulleidboy]

Thanks Steve - I've ordered one. I assume it works ok with a 9v PP3 battery?

[Steve M]

Thanks Steve - I've ordered one. I assume it works ok with a 9v PP3 battery?

I’ll find out when mine arrives.

One of the kits they supply has the option to switch between a 9v battery and a 12v wired supply so I guess it’s ok.

[Steve M]

The lecky bits arrived this morning, so after finishing the Castle repaint, I made a start.
The kit of parts includes a switch which I fitted in the screw cap at the end, next is a connector for the 9v battery which in turn connects to one side of the sealed negative ion generator.
The two thick wires that come out the other end of the generator are routed so the red wire comes out of the end of the handle into the grass container. The black wire is routed out the side of the handle and is connected to a crocodile clip - that’s the earth wire that connects to a nail driven into the glue.
The red wire can be soldered to the mesh in the cap but in my case I fitted a pull apart bullet connector into the lead. That way I can fit another to another cap with a different size mesh.

20220420_195716 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

After trimming the handle to length, I glued the pushfit tubing together and secured the battery with some soft foam.
Once it’s all dry (tomorrow) I’ll give it a test. I already know that it packs a much bigger punch than the Peco version!
It actually hums when it is switched on - a bit of a beast.

20220420_200448 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

In other news, the new bathroom sink arrived today so I spent much of the afternoon fitting that as well. Hoping that doesn’t leak when I test it tomorrow.

[Steve M]

It works. Good results with 6mm fibres although 10mm tend to ‘ball’ in the hopper, but still better than my Peco version. As the tufts get taller they tend to crackle with the static.

20220421_094314 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

20220421_095311 by Steve Mumford, on Flickr

I did see a video that showed longer fibres being applied through a piece of wood with hole drilled in it - it tended to stop the spread of long fibres horizontally. Must try that some time.

[RogerB]

What have you put the blobs of glue on Steve? When I did a similar exercise I used aluminium foil and just for patches of grass, not the tall stuff although I can’t see why it wouldn’t work the same. R-

[Steve M]

Roger, it’s greaseproof paper taped to a shallow baking tray. I found some on a roll 6” wide - perfect for this job. The earthing lead clips to the edge of the tray. Once dry , the PVA breaks away very easily ready for planting.

[RogerB]

Same principle - good result. R-