This page is last updated on 15 July 2012

This article is about making an electronic static grass applier.

Static grass can be applied with a plastic bottle, like the ones found in the kitchen's spice rack. When you shake the bottle, the grass becomes static. If this works satisfactory I can't tell, but I think you will be using a lot more grass then with the other method. The other method is to use an "electronic static grass applier".

An "electronic static grass applier" works with a high voltage, which is supplied trough a small battery. The ground is connected at the location where the grass is to be applied, with the use of water diluted wood glue. The screen from the electronic static grass applier is connected to the positive side of the high voltage, and this will give the grass a static charge. The static grass will go down to the grounded area, and the result is that the grass stays straight up.

Ones the glue dries the result is a realistic grass field, with the grass pointing straight up.

An electronic static grass applier is available at hobby shops, but at a high price. It is not difficult to make your own electronic static grass applier for a much lower price. And the money saved can be used for plenty of static grass.

The only things needed are a electronic bug sapper and a screen. The electronic bug sapper works with a high voltage which is present in a ... sort of a tennis racket. When the bug comes into contact with this racket he gets a shock and... stops flying.

A simple, low cost, but effective electronic static grass applier, is made by replacing this racket with a screen, attached to the positive of the high voltage, and a wire with an alligator clamp to the negative, to provide the ground.

It is possible to increase the high voltage to extreme, and dangerous voltages, but I have not done so after observing satisfactory results.

I have made an video clip which clearly shows how the electronic static grass applier performs.

Here are simple directions to make your own electronic static grass applier.

click the image for a larger and high resolution picture.

The original electronic bug sapper and the racket that needs to be replaced. Remove the battery before any work is done.		The screen attached to the holder. How this is done depends on the type of electronic bug sapper, but is easy to do.
Attach the positive side of the high voltage to the screen and use a stranded wire with alligator clamp of proximally one and a halve feet in length, to attach to the negative side.		Close the holder and pay attention that no wires are pinched or shorted. The electronic bug sapper has now become a electronic static grass applier.
Time to test the electronic static grass applier. Place water diluted wood glue on a area on the layout or on a piece of scrap wood.		Place a nail into the center of the glue and attach the alligator clamp to this nail, to provide the ground. With some static grass inside the screen, turn the electronic static grass applier on and shake.
The result with electronic static grass applier. Grass facing straight up.		The result without electronic static grass applier. Grass laying flat.

This page is last updated on 15 July 2012

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