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Static Grass Applicator - Tools every modeler needs

30/11/2017

3 Comments

 
If you're looking to step up your game in the model scenery community then you'll most certainly want to build a static grass applicator! Every one of my scenery dioramas involved the use of my home made static grass applicator.
Static grass for use in model scenery building is a relatively recent discovery, large commercial studios have been using static grass for quite a while however only in the past 10 years has it become easily accessible to regular modelers at an affordable price.
 
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Commercial static grass applicators are much more affordable these days and some are actually cheaper than the one I build in the video however it can be very rewarding building your own and the benefit of building one from scratch is you'll have a thorough understanding of the tool and you'll be able to adjust and modify it to suit your needs.  
For example, this static grass applicator went through many different iterations before this version that is demonstrated in the video! I changed it over time to better suit my requirements one of which was being able to use it without having a mains power point available and also to keep the overall height of the unit to a minimum so it can fit into tight spots. 
All of the scenes above featured in their own tutorials and all of them include the use of the home made static grass applicator shown in the tutorial in one form or another as it has changed over the years.
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For more information be sure to check out the 'Static Grass Applicator' article HERE. I've included additional information as well as the wiring diagram that you can save and use as a reference as well as a components list that includes prices and the stores where I purchased all of the components.
3 Comments

Photo Etching at Home - Professional Tools for Modelers

6/8/2017

4 Comments

 
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Who would have thought melting metal could result in such an amazing amount of detail... The process of using acid to etch metal objects has been used for hundreds of years and it's perfect for creating ultra detailed parts for our models.
In this tutorial I'll show you how to use the Micro-Mark Pro Etch Photo Etch System to create awesome brass and copper details that can be used as additions to improve and add detail to models however you can also create one off stand alone pieces as well.
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One of the more difficult concepts to get your head around when it comes to photo etching is the use of corrosive chemicals. The types of chemicals used and formulas for mixing are varied and it took quite a bit of research online to find a good formula for what I planned to do with photo etching.
In the Pro Etch kit you'll receive the chemicals required however if you live outside the United States then you'll have to source your chemicals locally and this can be problematic for some...
They use Ferric Chloride as the etchant in the kit however for me obtaining Ferric Chloride at a reasonable price is something of a mission! So as a substitute I used the following chemicals at a ratio of 2:1. The Hydrochloric Acid is available from the hardware store and Hydrogen Peroxide is available from the supermarket of chemists.
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As for the developing solution I simply used Washing Soda which is easily available from the supermarket.
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By watching the video tutorial you'll have everything you need to know to successfully make your very own photo etched parts. It's a lengthy process however after you've tried it a couple of times it will become second nature and you'll be making photo etched parts without even batting an eyelid.
This kit is available from Micro-Mark and you can save 10% of you shopping cart by using the promo code 'boulder'.
Just remember that if you do purchase an etching kit to order the correct kit as they cannot send the corrosive chemicals outside of the US.
​
PRO ETCH KIT FOR OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS
PRO ETCH KIT FOR CUSTOMERS IN USA
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4 Comments

New and improved Static Grass Applicator

5/2/2017

7 Comments

 
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​I’ve previously built and filmed the making of a great static grass applicator however over time I have seen the opportunity for improvement.
​Portability and reliable power are two areas I’ve been looking into as well as size and durability. When it comes to tools and equipment we often think that small should mean cheaper and less effective however, what I’m after is a smaller stronger and more effective tool.
​Thus the static grass applicator mark 2 was born…
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It’s certainly not the cheapest method for building an applicator but I can bet you it will last a lot longer and give you fantastic results wherever you decide to make your scenery. 

FEATURES:

​Portability
​
 
The main and most important feature is portability. Having wires run over, around and through your scenery doesn’t always end well for the scenery! That’s why I have added a battery power source using a 9 Volt battery which is more than enough to make even 12mm static grass stand on end... provided you have and use a good quality Negative Ion Generator!
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​Reliable Power
 
Sometimes you might just need a little extra power to reach those hard to get to spots on the layout! Having more power means you can still get the same great results whilst holding the applicator further away from the surface, which can be great for getting into corners or small valleys and crevices in your scenery.
 
Now you have the option to connect up to 12 Volts directly into the applicator using a power pack that plugs in directly from the wall. Not to mention if your 9v battery runs out you don’t have to race to the shops to pick up a new battery.
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​On or Off
 
I’ve incorporated two LEDs into the wiring so now at a quick glance you can see if you have power coming from the 9v battery or power from the connected power pack. Additionally you can quickly see if the 9v battery has charge or if it has run out.
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​Size
 
Given the components that are packed securely in the handle, I’ve managed to bring down the overall size of the applicator to 25cm without external power connected or 26cm with it connected. This means it’s much easier to get into those tight spaces on the layout especially for those with multi deck layouts.
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​Durability
 

This unit is very strong, it can withstand a drop from the workbench however it does have one weak spot at the moment and that is the two way switch on the top. I have been brainstorming ideas and future applicators will incorporate a shield that fits over the lid simply using a PVC pipe connector.
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​All the components inside are secured and don’t shake around so there is no chance loose components will damage the wiring on the inside.
Additionally the previous applicator had a weak spot where the High Voltage Output wire was connected to the wire mesh screen, this is now much more secure.
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RESULTS:
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These results shown are specifically using the 9 Volt battery only. When using the external power you will get slightly better results although the difference is not immediately noticeable however you will notice that when using the external power and a 12 Volt supply you can hold the applicator further away from the surface and are still able to have the grass fibers easily stand on end.  
​If you are planning on building one of these applicators just be aware that the heart of the applicator is the Negative Ion Generator and this will determine your results! There are some cheap generators available on eBay however just be warned that these are cheap for a reason… mainly due to the fact they have a much lower output voltage and that is what determines the effectiveness of the static grass applicator.
Most cheap generators have a nominal voltage between 4-6kV however the applicator I’m using has a nominal voltage of 15kV when powered with a 12 Volt power supply so the results will naturally be a lot better.

I purchased mine from Oatley Electronics  or you can order from eBay

​I’m currently in the process of writing an eBook on making and operating this static grass applicator and I’ll keep you updated once it’s finished. If you’re serious about scenery then making or purchasing a static grass applicator is a must!
7 Comments

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  • Home
  • Tutorials
    • Professional Tools >
      • Laser Cutting
      • 3D Printing
      • Static Grass Applicator
      • Paint Shaker
      • Scan N Cut
    • Video Tutorials
    • Articles
    • Modular Layout
  • Goodies
    • Competition Entry & Results
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