Static Grass Applicator

[CMMR]

Now that I am getting around to doing some scenery on my layout I figured I was going to need a static grass applicator. Being cheap I decided to make my own. There are lots of articles and videos out there on how to do it, and they seem to be split between using electronic fly swatters and ion generators.

I decided to go with an ion generator. I built mine based on Luke Towan's excellent YouTube video:

[video=youtube;8gYmeRaaaL8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gYmeRaaaL8[/video]

I followed it pretty much exactly with the exception of using ABS pipe instead of PVC (just because I had some lying around) and I also used a SPST switch instead of a DPDT (same reason). My power supply is from an old bug zapper we had that didn't work anymore.

Here are a few pics of the results.

The only static grass I had to experiment with was 1-3mm in length, but it does appear to be standing up!

 

[montanan]

I have been thinking about updating some older parts of my layout using static grass. May have to look into this. I have a lot of the components necessary to build it laying around with the exception of the ion generator.

It looks like your photos did now upload. Same problem I have been having with some photos.

Thanks for the post.

 

[Red Oak & Western]

I, too, built mine following Luke's excellent video. Luke has a whole series of how to videos, most all of which are excellent. I can especially recommend the rolled haystacks, hay bales, chain link fence, and barbed wire in addition to the static applicator.

 

[railBuilderDhd]

Thanks for sharing. I have an ion generator I will be using like you did. I don't have the power supple for this yet but there are so many out there I'm sure I have one or can find one without an issue.

Thanks for sharing.
Dave