Hi All,

The last months I wanted to purchase an 'electrostatic flocking device', but I'm shocked by the high cost.

Some examples:

• Faller 'Gras-Fix': € 99,=

• Heki 'Flockstar': € 150,=

• Heki 'Flockstar XL': € 210,=

• Noch 'Grasmaster': € 155,=

• Langmesser 'Profi-Flock' : € 859,=

Perhaps such flocking devices are worth buying if you have a MiLuWa layout in your train room, but for my smaller layouts I find those too expensive.

And if you look on the many German MRR forums, most users aren't really satisfied with the devices.
The Noch Grasmaster is already renamed as the 'Gras Desaster' and the Heki Heki Flockstar as the 'Flock Loser'.
Many heart complaints are that the batteries are low quickly, the fibers are falling over the edge when shaking the Faller Gras-Fix device, the Noch Grass Desaster is awkwardly big, the high voltage too low, the results disappointing ... etcetera.

Almost all users do some kind of modifications to their device to achieve better results.

There was a good and affordable device, the XTEQ Tools "Grass-O-Mat" for only € 59, =, but it has mysteriously disappeared from the scene and is no longer sold.

The only real good flocking device that remains is the Langmesser 'Profi Flock', but with € 859 a bit too expensive for me.

Many modelers build their own electrostatic flocking device, the costs are no more than € 10 and the functionality is similar to the Langmesser 'Profi-Flock' device.

I really enjoy reading the many home made construction reports on the internet, some home made flocking devices looks clumsy, some are real look alike clones of the Langmeser 'Profi Flock'.

It seemed fun and useful to me, to start a Flocking device thread here too on the forum.

I also want to make my own device and start with a simple one, and if I've gained some experience with it, build a profi one.

For a start here some pictures of the more official 'electrostatic flocking devices':

Marco



FALLER GRAS-FIX


NOCH GRASMASTER


HEKI FLOCKSTAR


HEKI FLOCKSTAR XL


LANGMESSER PROFI FLOCK


XTEQ TOOLS GRASS-O-MAT

I have seen grass being applied in MiWuLa on a video somewhere.

They use what looks like the Langmesser 'Profi-Flock'

I have a Noch Grassmaster and with the small funnel attachment it is very versatile and works well

And here are some photos of German home made devices ....



HOME MADE FALLER GRAS FIX CLONE


HOME MADE NOCH GRAS DESASTER CLONE


HOME MADE LANGMESSER PROFI FLOCK CLONE

Hi Glenn,

It would be great if you can upload that Langmesser Profi Flock MiWuLa video here !!

Marco

Hi Marco,all,
Great topic!
I have the Noch unit on loan from a friend to scenic his Z layout/module.Here are some tips I found in it's use:
1) There are 2 'filters' (plastic pieces with different size and number of holes)that can be fitted on the grass container,one for short grass(2mm) and longer grass(5mm+),They work well in that regard.
2) It is important to break up clumps of the static grass before you fill the container and to shake it during use.
3) Move the ground connection close to the area your applying the grass in(it will help it stand up better)
4) Make sure to shut the unit off when done,it will drain the battery!
5) Having a funnel at the end of the unit,let's you control where it goes.A general application on land or hillsides are ok with the broad based applicators.
6)If near tracks or structures,tape and cover them!Static grass will cling to them,glue or no,....
7) Have fun!


Dr D

Hi Kevin

So how well does it work on curved hillsides and odd surfaces?
I am guessing its the wetness of the glue that creates the conductivity.
Also supposing that once dry, you can vacuum or somehow clean up the unglued excess.

Agree with Marco that video links would be helpful here.

Thanks for all the great info Gentlemen!

- Mark

I built a static grass applicator a while back, dead simple really. It consists of a electric flyswat, a emty jar of peanut butter and some odds and sods.

I haven't had to grass anything in a while, but the applicator wasn't that powerful on 2 AA batteries. When I get on with grassing my next layout, I intend to stick a 9V battery into it and see how that goes. The thing I like about it not being too powerful is that not all the grass stands upright, which especially on a paddock is not the case.

Attached is a photo of my device.

Cheers,
Rick

They are certainly my first choice. I had only limited experience with the Noch and I wasn't too convinced about, someone mentioned spraying the grass with water for better results but I've never got around to try that. Unfortunately, The device wasn't mine and I no longer have access to it, I wouldn't pay the price to give it a second chance.

You ask, we produce...

[Hi Mark,all,


>So how well does it work on curved hillsides and odd surfaces?<

Fine,I usually use an earth colored acrylic paint(cut 1:1 w/water) as the 'glue'. Then, again it depends on what area is being scenic.


>I am guessing its the wetness of the glue that creates the conductivity.<

No,the applicator creates an electrical charge in the fibers + and - at each end so they will land straight up(sometimes )
Even after the paint is dry,you can apply slightly thinned coat of matte medium over the area and then apply the grass.

>Also supposing that once dry, you can vacuum or somehow clean up the unglued excess. <

One would be surprised,this stuff clings to everthing(* see my tip on masking above)

>Agree with Marco that video links would be helpful here. <

I did a search on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/results?....0.0...1ac.1.K4yDAMFJlRo


Dr D

I'm not sure why I didn't post these when this thread was first created, but there are a few articles and videos on the internet on how to make your own grass applicator.

http://modeltrains.about...-Model-Train-Scenery.htm

http://spiderfield.ommer...-static-grass-applicator