I discovered a very cheap way of making my own shortish static grass. I have an old sheet of MDF that has been standing out in the weather in my back yard for about 18 months. I removed the very furry edges and placed bits of it in the coffee grinder I use for making scenic materials. It fluffed up great into a mix of random length fibres up to 3-4 mm. I added artists acrylic paints straight from the tube in small quantities to get the colour I wanted, a short whizz, and I had a very presentable product. It is affected by a static charge. I have not tried it through an applicator yet,( still got to build mine), but sprinkling it from a sieve over a bed of PVA glue produced a very creditable result and it was cheap. I was going to take the MDF to the tip recently but am glad I was too lazy to cut it up to take it away.
I also made one, bought fly squatter from Poundland and tea strainer from Wilko and a couple of batteries, the rest of the other items I already had. So it only cost a few pounds, easy to make and works well.
The most difficult part of making this is soldering the wire to the strainer, but with the usual flux etc. you can get it done. It depends on which strainer you use. The rest is easy. To hold my strainer snuggly in the handle I made two small blocks of foam to put pressure on the handle.
Any zapper can be used, i recently saw one in local store for £3. Thank you Leslie for your kind words, very much appreciated. Hope you enjoy many more.
Does the polarity matter? Lol my fly swater was blue and yello wires, mu meter does not measure voltage that high... i guess i could make a massive voltage divider.
now I wonder if I can make one of these. same stuff. just on a live stream. so we know if something can go wrong. it will. well we will find out Wednesday July 18 at 7 pm eastern time,, well I would say half hour into the show. lol. have to talk first.
Cringed when he pulled the wire off the PCB. And it would have been better to unsolder the old negative wire and solder the new, longer one on. But otherwise very informative and helpful: have already ordered two bug zappers (well, I don't want the flies to feel ignored).
Watched your video this morning and made one tonight. Just tried it out an I am thrilled with the results. Thanks so much for posting this tutorial.
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This has been the best tutorial of how to connect the wiring of the applicator indeed. Thanks so much
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If ever I buy any static grass I will probably use this strategy!
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I discovered a very cheap way of making my own shortish static grass. I have an old sheet of MDF that has been standing out in the weather in my back yard for about 18 months. I removed the very furry edges and placed bits of it in the coffee grinder I use for making scenic materials. It fluffed up great into a mix of random length fibres up to 3-4 mm. I added artists acrylic paints straight from the tube in small quantities to get the colour I wanted, a short whizz, and I had a very presentable product. It is affected by a static charge. I have not tried it through an applicator yet,( still got to build mine), but sprinkling it from a sieve over a bed of PVA glue produced a very creditable result and it was cheap. I was going to take the MDF to the tip recently but am glad I was too lazy to cut it up to take it away.
That's very interesting
Quite simple and very important safety tip!
Indeed!
Very easy to follow "how to", they work really well...Simon
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Fantastic how to video on making your own static grass applicator, and sooooo much cheaper as well, brilliant :0)
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Excellent tutorial. I may just have to make one of these at the weekend...will wait until my wife's back is turned, then nab her sieve!
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I also made one, bought fly squatter from Poundland and tea strainer from Wilko and a couple of batteries, the rest of the other items I already had. So it only cost a few pounds, easy to make and works well.
I have used mine so much and still works perfectly.
Well done mate, I'm building my own now cheers
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Wow very well done! Definitely more cheaper than buying one. Can you show us how you do your static grass laying with it?
Luke Noble Hi Luke thanks for watching.
Yes I have a video planned showing this in use coming very soon 👍
Cheers. : )
Well done, I'll have a go at it. Thanks!
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Excellent
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I can only echo what others have said, brilliant and thank you
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The most difficult part of making this is soldering the wire to the strainer, but with the usual flux etc. you can get it done. It depends on which strainer you use. The rest is easy. To hold my strainer snuggly in the handle I made two small blocks of foam to put pressure on the handle.
Hi great video, can you get those zappers from any hardware shops, our would I have to Oder it. Love your videos they are very helpful.
Any zapper can be used, i recently saw one in local store for £3.
Thank you Leslie for your kind words, very much appreciated. Hope you enjoy many more.
Magic...! thanks for sharing this brilliant video....Regards from Geoff at Maryville Junction
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Just ordered one from Amazon. For less,than a fiver, how can you go wrong. Looking forward to the lesson on static grass laying. Thanks for sharing.
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Very nice video. ¿What do you think about the USB rechargeable version?. Regards!
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Brilliant! The finishing touch would have been to show it in use.
This was the second I made, the first made was shown in dozens of videos before and after this was produced.
Very nice
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Great, Im having a go at this
Cheers
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Good idea. Hoped you might show results in a later video. Back from Davestrains who you gave a mention to, to here, (its all very confusing :) ) Alan.
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very useful vid my friend
but can we see them in action ?
Bobi hobby may thanks for you kind comment.
Yes I have a video due to be released showing it in use 👍
watched this video 6 times :D
again thank you ill get to making one tomorrow
Hi Bobi, Here is a video i did showing them in action - ua-cam.com/video/-cx_1jKxECA/v-deo.html
Does the polarity matter? Lol my fly swater was blue and yello wires, mu meter does not measure voltage that high... i guess i could make a massive voltage divider.
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Would you do a give away for one of them, as I can't afford a smouldering iron or the real applicator, they do look pretty good as well, cheers
Two Idiots Go Trainspotting already gave one away a few months ago, sorry.
Barnabas Junction OK nevermind, worth a try cheers anyway
Thanks! 👍👍👍👍
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epic!
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now I wonder if I can make one of these. same stuff. just on a live stream. so we know if something can go wrong. it will. well we will find out Wednesday July 18 at 7 pm eastern time,, well I would say half hour into the show. lol. have to talk first.
Thank you for your comment.
Cringed when he pulled the wire off the PCB. And it would have been better to unsolder the old negative wire and solder the new, longer one on. But otherwise very informative and helpful: have already ordered two bug zappers (well, I don't want the flies to feel ignored).
Thank you for your comment.