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Static Grass method

Discussion in 'Groundwork' started by Jaybo, Jan 17, 2023.

  1. Jaybo Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Have any of you used this technique? I just discovered it and it looks impressive. Your input would be appreciated. Thanks.
  2. megroot A Fixture

    Country:
    Netherlands
    What have you discovered??
    theBaron and Tecumsea like this.
  3. theBaron A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States

    Yeah, I'm with megroot, you probably need to provide some more details. Do you mean using static grass at all, some specific technique among several for applying or working with static grass, or some specific tool, etc.

    Prost!
    Brad
    Theodoros likes this.
  4. Jaybo Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Hello Brad & Megroot,
    Using static grass with an electric static grass applicator is apparently a technique for making individual blades of grass stand vertically. I just stumbled across it and it appears to be the way to go in the model railroad circuit. Grass can be bought in different lengths and colors. It looks pretty slick and I was wondering if any of our Planet group have used it and what their opinion of it is.
    Here is a video:
    theBaron likes this.
  5. frog Active Member

    Country:
    England
    Hi Jaybo I have one brought it about 2 years ago use it all the time on bigger projects ie dioramas but a bit to much for single figure bases I then use a puffer bottle hope that helps I get a lot of my static grass from the company in that you tube video after coming across them
    Jaybo likes this.
  6. Jaybo Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Thank you sir. WWS appears to be one of the better makers of static grass from what I have gleaned.
    frog likes this.
  7. theBaron A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks for clarifying, Jaybo. I'm familiar with using static grass, but for the sake of discussion, I wanted to make sure of what you were asking.

    You're correct, using static grass is popular with model railroad enthusiasts, and with scale modelers, too. And there are tools to use an electric charge to get the grass material to stand up. I personally have not used it. As frog noted, for figures, the bases are generally too small to warrant the investment in time and materials, but that's just my preference.

    You can buy the static applicator, but one of the guys in my local model club used an old model railroad transformer and a kitchen strainer to make his own, too.

    Prost!
    Brad
    frog and Jaybo like this.
  8. Jaybo Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Thank you for your input Brad.
    Jay
    theBaron likes this.
  9. frog Active Member

    Country:
    England
    Hi Jaybo the static grass from WWS come in different shades and sizes received a new lot yesterday forgot to mention in last post had some more on the way I do recommend this company and service is pretty good
    Cheers

    Dave
    theBaron and Jaybo like this.
  10. Jaybo Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks Dave. WWS is the outfit that I am looking at the most along with MiniNatur.
    frog likes this.
  11. Venko A Fixture

    Country:
    Bulgaria
    I built similar applicator to this one, much cheaper (around 15-20eur for me with all materials) and have the same power as the commercial ones ;) You need only to buy 15-20kV negative ion generator, the other components are is easy to supply.

    theBaron and Jaybo like this.
  12. balder PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    Canada
    Hi Jaybo, those type of applicators work well. I’ve got a homemade applicator made from an electric fly swatter following a how-to video on YouTube. It works fairly well.
    Static grass looks great for smaller scale figures.
    Gerald
    Jaybo and theBaron like this.
  13. clubcat PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    England
    I'm a bit greedy and have 3 machines :LOL: I have a flat plate one, useful for creating tufts and a small hand held one, useful for small area. Both from WWS. The third is a bigger one from RTS for doing larger areas or longer grass. I like to use Polak grasses in many differing lengths but have also used WWS with no problems.
    I tend to scatter the grass then ensure it stands by bring the machine close, I also mix different colours and lengths. I have also put down a layer of shorter paler grass before putting on a longer greener one, this mimics the colour differential in real grass. also do not be too consistent unless you are creating a bowling green as in practice grass is all differing types, lengths and colours.
    Hope this helps.
    Jaybo likes this.
  14. Ferris A Fixture

    I have yet to try one of those applicators, but did already get this book....a great guide with inpirational high-end modelling.

    There’s two more books in the series by the way, about making trees, that I recommend just as highly!

    Adrian

    Attached Files:

    theBaron likes this.
  15. MalcC A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Keep an eye out for mini-nature products.
    Mainly tufts of grass in different shades to match the seasons.
    Very useful and effective, and easy to use too.
    I obtain mine from El Greco miniatures.

    Malc
    theBaron likes this.
  16. China Dave Active Member

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Keep your eye on Ebay (or similar) I got a WSS static grass applicator, layering spray and various grasses, second hand but like new, for a really good price a while back.
    It makes a world of difference to your scenic work.

    Attached Files:

    theBaron likes this.

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