How To Make A Static Grass Applicator

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Alban Evans
5 years ago
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1 How To Make A Static Grass Applicator Complete information about making a static grass applicator. Some people use a rather complex procedure to make a static grass applicator. And others do it disarmingly easy. We will show you two easy ways to make your own static grass applicator. The first is to get a static field generator - made specifically for use in static grass applicators - and assemble your own following our simple instructions. The second is to get a kit with all the needed electrical parts and to assemble it following our simple instructions. To Scratch Build A Static Grass Applicator Static Grass Applicator Modules You need a power supply, a connecting module that contains a static field generator with a grounding wire that goes to your work surface and a grass container that is used to sprinkle the grass on your work surface. This first picture shows 1) a strainer being used as the grass container, 2) a discarded - but good - appliance transformer with a 12vdc output and 3) the connecting module.

In this tutorial we show you some other examples that you can use to make just what you want. Once you read through this and understand the basics, you will see that it is extremely simple.

2 In this tutorial we show you some other examples that you can use to make just what you want. Once you read through this and understand the basics, you will see that it is extremely simple. The Power Supply You can power this static grass applicator from your track using a couple of leads with alligator clips, your power pack or a discarded 12v transformer. The particular static field generator used here requires 12vdc +- 1 vdc. In this tutorial we used a discarded 12v transformer. The Static Field Generator

Let's start by scratch building a static grass applicator using a static field generator that uses a 12vdc input and gives a 15kvdc output. Get one here.

3 Let's start by scratch building a static grass applicator using a static field generator that uses a 12vdc input and gives a 15kvdc output. Get one here. The high output really makes the grass stand up. It does a much better job for you than those puny flyswatter remakes. And it costs about the same. Wiring Refer to the image above. The thick black lead on the right gets connected to the grass container. The voltage is -15kvdc. The green lead on the left gets connected to the grounding wire that is attached to your work surface. The red lead on the left gets connected to +12vdc on your power supply.

The black lead is connected to the ground lead on your power supply. Connecting the Modules There are many ways you can do this. Below are some examples of different ways to do it.

4 The black lead is connected to the ground lead on your power supply. Connecting the Modules There are many ways you can do this. Below are some examples of different ways to do it. This picture shows my favorite configuration for applying grass to large areas. Connecting Module 1 This is compact, easy to assemble and is easy to use. It is made from an electric terminal box, appliance switch and some banana clips. No soldering required. it is as simple as that. To save time, you can get the materials for this Connecting Module in kit form if you click here. Connecting Module 2

5 Connecting Module 2 is a prototype that we used to test various components. A box made of MDF with a piece of scrap Plexiglas top. Connecting Module 3

Connecting Module 3 Connecting Module 3 is a test board. But it works perfectly well when used to apply grass. An MDF base on which were glued some pieces of terminal boards.

6 Connecting Module 3 Connecting Module 3 is a test board. But it works perfectly well when used to apply grass. An MDF base on which were glued some pieces of terminal boards. The switch is a used, surface mounted light switch. Note that there are two pieces of terminal boards on the output side - the side on the left. If you hook the black -15kvdc lead and green grounding lead on the same terminal board, current arcs around the separators. Connecting Module 4

7 Connecting Module 4 is a test board. But once again it works well when used to apply grass. Grass Containers These are the working end of your static grass applicator. We use several. Each has its special features and is particularly useful in certain situations. Grass Container 1

Grass container 1 is my favorite for covering large areas. It is simply a strainer with the handle covered with rubber and held in place with red electrical tape.

8 Grass container 1 is my favorite for covering large areas. It is simply a strainer with the handle covered with rubber and held in place with red electrical tape. I actually have 3 different strainers with 3 different screen sizes. Note that the voltage is -15kvdc. Even so, I use red wire and red tape to remind me that it bites. Red tells me to be careful, do not touch, etc. Grass Container 2

Grass Container 3 is really a group of grass continers made from PVC drain pipe. These are simply my favorite static grass applicator grass containers. Most used is the 50mm container.

9 Grass Container 3 is really a group of grass continers made from PVC drain pipe. These are simply my favorite static grass applicator grass containers. Most used is the 50mm container. For tight places I use the 32 mm container (the white one in this picture). Advantages Of These Grass Containers They have particular advantages. Don't have to shake. When you use a static grass applicator that you have to shake, grass spreads all over the place. Not only does this make up cleanup problem, you have a lot of waste. Accurate placement of grass. You're able to hold the grass container accurately over the place where you want the grass. The grass goes straight down and sticks just where you want it. Excellent for blending. You need fairly good accuracy and grass placement to do a proper job of blending. Not only can you choose the size of the grass container that you can use different grass containers very easily and get a better blending job, faster, and easier than you can with the shaker type static grass applicator. Can get into tight places. By using one of the narrow gauge grass containers you get into very tight places very easily. Then you can apply grass where you often can't with a shaker type static grass applicator.

Lightweight and easy to handle. The shaker type grass applicators normally have the negative ion generator, and sometimes a power supply, built right into them.

10 Lightweight and easy to handle. The shaker type grass applicators normally have the negative ion generator, and sometimes a power supply, built right into them. Compared to the static grass containers they are very heavy and that weight can sometimes make them unwieldy to handle. Low cost and easy to make. You will see this as you read on. Easy to change so you can lay different sizes and colors of grass. You can keep extra grass containers preloaded and quickly change them as you wanted different grass size of grass color. How To Use These Grass Containers Add the grass via the open end of the pipe. Hold the grass container over a place where you intend to add grass. With the container three quarters of an inch to an inch above that place, stir the grass that is in the container with a wooden stick.

Go to this link to watch the video showing one of these grass containers being used. How To Apply Static Grass Grass Container 3 Grass container 3 is as simple as it can get.

11 Go to this link to watch the video showing one of these grass containers being used. How To Apply Static Grass Grass Container 3 Grass container 3 is as simple as it can get. A glass jelly jar with holes drilled in the top and wire soldered to the cap. (You can also just insert wire through a hole in the cap and fold it over to keep it in place). I use this one when I want to make a heavy application in some area. And below is a cap with the center cut out and wire screen glued in place. You can use epoxy or a contact adhesive.

Here is a link to a third party site where the author refers to his use of Mason Jars. Mason Jar Applicator For you convenience, his image is posted here. He says,"here is my final device.

12 Here is a link to a third party site where the author refers to his use of Mason Jars. Mason Jar Applicator For you convenience, his image is posted here. He says,"here is my final device. I settled on a quart mason jar for a couple of reasons. 1. the glass is non-conductive, meaning the material is easy to change out. 2. The screen can be cut too large, and simple screwed on tight with the cap ring." You are encouraged to read his entire discussion at Mason Jar Applicator

13 Grass Container 4

I categorize this as a container. Obviously it is not. I use this to go over tight areas where the grass might not be standing as well as I would like. It is an artists trowel.

14 I categorize this as a container. Obviously it is not. I use this to go over tight areas where the grass might not be standing as well as I would like. It is an artists trowel. The wire is just wrapped around the metal shaft and taped in place. I also use it when making wire trees. Instead of wasting time with sea moss, I drop static grass on the branches and then stand it properly with this. See Wire Trees And Static Grass Grounding Wires Your work surface has to be grounded. Here are two pieces that I use. Ground 1

15 A simple alligator clip on a wire. Remember that you can power your static grass applicator by connecting it to the track. To do that, make two more of these that will be the leads that connect to your track. Ground 2 I use this to hold wire trees when I want to add static grass. See Wire Tress And Static Grass A wood dowel, heavy wire passed through a hole drilled in the dowel and alligator clip added.

16 To Kit Build A Static Grass Applicator Here is a link to information about a kit with complete instructions. Static Grass Applicator Kit Description Static Grass Applicator Kit Buy It Here

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