Static grass applicator

[torikoos]

I've just build myself a cheap static grass applicator. While I realise that it is probably not as good as a commercial product like that of Noch, it is also more than 20 times cheaper.
I used the electronics and handle from an old electric fly swatter, and a metal tea strainer. I opened the fly swatter cut the wires leading to the 'swatter part', soldered new wires to the circuit board , one of which onto the tea strainer, and one longer lead onto a small spike/screw.
I used a few bits of carpet underlay(the green tiles) in the end of the handle to clamp the tea strainer , and filled up all the gaps with hot glue, then put the assembly back together. After the glue had set, I ended up with a fairly sturdy construction. All in all, under 30 minutes work.
While I am still to test it with static grass (I have none at the moment), I know the circuit works, as it 'bit' me already once

So do be careful. This one runs of two AA batteries, and probably isn't deadly or could do much harm, it does 'tickle' in a nasty way, and one can never be too careful.

Koos


Static grass applicator by K2K Koos, on Flickr

[ratled]

ZAP!!!! What the flock was that! Yea I know the feeling well. As a result of that lesson I replaced my strainer with a Tupperware style cup. I cut the bottom out and glued in the screen. The lid allows me to add the static grass. This serves 2 functions. First it keeps the grass in the tool when you get too close to the grounding pin. Zap there goes about $6.00 all over. The second is it gives you a flat screen to work with. IMHO this is a allows better and more controlled application of the grass. I found it is hard to get too close to the grounding pin also.

ratled

[torikoos]

ha ha!
Yes that design is probably nicer, and at some stage i will adapt mine, I just have no yogurt pots, or tupperware available at the moment
Koos

[torikoos]

As mentioned above, I also want to make a larger and stronger version, clone of the Noch Grassmaster, and was looking for a good 12VDc negative ion generator to do this. ( I have my yogurt pot in the meantime ;-) ).
Well, it turns out negative ion generators are very hard to come by, the two main sources being Oakley in Australia, and the Model Railroad Video's website of Joe Fugate, who also publishes the Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine (and probably get's them from Oakley) I ordered mine from him, as you can pay by paypal, so upon receipt, I shall make a grassmaster clone.
For now, I've tested my tea strainer version on a small section of my home layout, with results as in this picture. Truth is, I did flatten a few bits here and there to resemble the look of real wild grass, but first results are encouraging. I do probably need to replace the (old) batteries in the unit, as it's not that strong at the moment, but it worked. :-)

Koos


[url=http://www.flickr.com/

[cncproadwarrior]

Can you post a pic of the wires and circuit board.

[doctorwayne]

There's also some info on building a static grass applicator HERE.

Wayne

[torikoos]

Can you post a pic of the wires and circuit board.

I'm afraid not, after I modified the fly swatter, I hot glued everywhere inside and I won't be able to open it again on that area, just the battery compartment is accessible.

Having said that, it really isn't complicated, get an electric fly swatter, open the handle, cut off the two wires that go to the swatter bit (leaving as much wire as possible), solder one of them to the tea sift, the other gets extended and attached to a nail, and fix it all in place, (in my case with loads of hot glue etc), and you're basically done.

Cheers, Koos