Cheap and easy static grass tool

Marc,

I saw the link over inthe Dio section and watched the video...great idea and it looks like it works a treat!. Thanks for posting the links.

I've got all the stuff to build it - I just haven't yet. Plastic's always more tempting...

I made one too!

Works pretty good for about $10 in materials. Even less if you already have some of the parts which I'll bet most of us do. The only extra part I bought was the wire mesh strainer. I spent a total of $5, not including tax.

However, I can see buying the real one if you do lots of dioramas or very large diorama layouts as many "train" guys do.

I used a slightly different set of instructions. Its the same as the video except  the large brown capacitor and blue r4 resistor are removed.  Supposedly it makes it more powerful. I dunno, I have nothing to compare.

I bought the strainer at Family Dollar. You get both a 3in and a 4in diameter for $1.  I drilled holes (2) in the plastic handle of the strainers and fit them over the two pegs that the screws go into at the top of the swatter. This results in a nice very tight fit for the strainer. No shiming necessary.

For simplicity I used an alligator clip to attach the positive wire to the strainer.

How does it work?

Manstein's revenge

How does it work?

If that's as in "How does it do mechanics of what is does?"  Beyond knowing it does a statically charge thing... Dunno.

If it how well does is it work?  It is outstanding.  I think my results were up there with a $170 Noch Grass Master.

So... (while doing the up turned palms balance thing) ... 5 bucks? ... 170 bucks?

Manstein's revenge

How does it work?

I'm assuming you mean does it do what it supposed to do as opposed to the scientific explanation of static charges.

It works great!!! Exactly as advertised. However, I think it would work best for small areas. Say an area roughly 12in x 12in or smaller.

Anything larger and it would be a pain to use. It would still work but I believe something like the Grasinator would work better.

This stuff (the flocking) can be very messy. It can get on everything. Especially things that may have a static charge.

Oh BTW. If you touch any of the metal parts you will get a static shock! It doesnt hurt but may cause you to react as if being pinched or something.

Very interesting idea, i may well have to try this. I'll check the video out later. I have found a bug zapper than i think will fit the bill on Amazon for £4. But one question. Whats the pint of the cable seeing as the Zapper is battery operated.

If you mean the wire out the back, the is clamped to a pin or nail stuck in the wet glue.  I assume this energizes that somewhat to create the static field that aligns the grass.  You'll see when you watch the video.

Right, that makes sense.

I dunno, call me a non-conformist-party-pooper but I'll save the 10 bucks and sprinkle it on with my fingers like I have been doing for the past 30 +/- years. Very controllable IMHO, perhaps a little slower. I have not experienced the problem of being 'all charged up' and having it stick where I don't want it to stick. Any 'overflow' gets picked up and put back in the bag, very little waste.

An old foggie.

Its not so much getting it to stick, i think this process helps the grass stand up rather than lay flat.

I forgot where I saw someone post a year or two ago how to take a Bug Zapper from Harbor Freight Tools and convert it for this particular use. I picked a BZ at HF on sale for under $3 and followed the simple instructions. Works like a charm!

What a terrible video! The worst part was listening to this guy think out loud, and very slowly at that. 

PSA: put a little thought and planning into a how to video. 

To be fair, it's a good idea that could be executed a lot more professionally though. For example, pliers aren't crimp tools. I could go on, but I won't.

I am going to hove to agree... it was a bit tedious to listen to.  Again, I agree about the pliers but sometime ya gotta just use what's on hand.  I just put a new radio in my car.  about 15 connector squashed with big lineman's pliers.  Wasn't gonna buy a special tool for a 1 shot deal.