Hi All...

I have been watching a number of videos on how to apply grass to a layout, and I am quite interested in getting hold of a static grass applicator. Are there any good recommendations?

Cheers,
Ranjit

Thank you, David, for your recommendation! Yes, the Noch Grasmaster has had some very good reviews.

There is this other one called 'Langmesser 'Profi-Flock'. What is it with this one? Why is it soooo expensive?

Cheers,
Ranjit

I have the Noch Grasmaster 2.0 which I found to be well priced, though I am yet to use it.

The next step up is probably the RTS Greenkeeper 35kv but for me it would work out to be far more expensive and most reports I've read is that the Grasmaster can do the job fine.

RTS also do a 50kv model, obviously even more expensive again.

I found it!

The website for the RTS Greenkeeper is: https://www.rts-greenkeeper.de. They have a "junior" version that operates at 20KV which is the same as the Noch Grasmaster. It is cheaper as well!

Cheers,
Ranjit

That could be the bottle they supplied with the Advent calendar that had the Christmas Market models in it. Application use there was to spread snow ...

Hi Ranjit,

If you have a large area to work on the Noch grassmaster is great. The narrow funnel attachment is handy if you want to spot “paint” different hues of grass on top of the first layer.

But for smaller area (or layout) any home made or cheaper version will do.

I still use this one on my layout with no issues:

https://www.micromark.co...icator-by-Grass-Tech-USA

Woodland scenic also recently came out with a 80$ applicator?

To be honest: you will get better result buying a cheaper one than the Noch and use the saved money to buy quality grass fibres in various lengths, like Silflor:

http://www.sceneryexpres...-Material/products/1230/

Have fun!

Best Regards
Lasse

Or you can make your own....

https://makezine.com/201...static-grass-applicator/

https://www.thesprucecra...el-train-scenery-2381741

And how many of those are made by one company for another company ...

I suspect that careful comparison will result in the selection being reduced by working out which ones fall into this category, and then selecting the lower priced ones.

The performance of a static grass applicator is directly correlated to the voltage difference it generates; and the price of the unit is correlated to the voltage engine as well. The core electronic parts that produce that 15, 20, 25, 35, 55kv are the expensive parts.

SO you can use a static fly swatter and roll your own using a simple sieve, but the voltages of those are low and the results not that great unless your doing Z or N scale. For H0 you want at least something that makes 20kv... I think.

The RTS Greenkeepers let you get up to 55kv models, while the Noch Grassmaster 2.0 is 20kv I think. On the surface it seems it would be a no brainer to get the RTS as its going to get you much straighter grasses and allow you to embed them in the glue more solidly and work with the very long grasses if you need that.

BUT there are some usage characteristics I've seen in the RTS that one might consider. Like a car - its not all about straight line acceleration, you also need to handle well in the corners.

The higher tension of the RTS top end models also means the static stays on and you end up with grass more all over the device for cleanup; a bit more of a chore. RTS solved that a bit with their new glass inserts solution, where you put the grass in a jar that slides in, and you just slide out the jar and seal it, thus less grass on the device and changeover is easy solong as you have a jar for each type of static grass.

The other issue is ergonomics. The Grassmaster has the benefit of shape like a flashlight (torch for the Brit types) and you just turn it on and leave the button be - so using it over a period of time on a job is easier on the hand. The RTS has a button you have to keep pressed down (which is good because you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn it off, which can happen with the Noch design), but the soda-can shape and button location means the ergonomics of holding and using the RTS solutions for long periods of time may be uncomfortable.

So while I thought that getting the 55kv RTS was the easy solution before, now I'm wondering if the 20kv Grassmaster 2 is good enough on the power side of the house, with the ergonomic benefit of being a bit easier to hold/shake. Though that jar solution from RTS is very nice.

The only thing I'd feel pretty sure on is that for H0 get a 20kv or higher one.

14. There’s also the Grassinator: https://www.us-zscale.com/ZTR-400