Static Grass Applicator - Professional Tools for Modelers

An improved detailed guide into building a very durable and reliable static grass applicator that will last you many years of model making.
More info on the static grass applicator including wiring diagrams:
www.bouldercree...
Other awesome modeling KZbin channel…. Ken Patterson’s ‘What’s Neat This Week video Podcast’
/ kensart55
Using a static grass applicator on your model scenery will dramatically enhance the overall appearance and realism of your scenery and they are not hard to build. Once you have a grasp on the design and wiring you’ll be able to modify and improve upon my design to build your own custom applicator that will fit your needs.

[@BoulderCreekRailroad]

WHAT IS HAPPENING? Hey all, I'm currently working on my next video and also moving house. While waiting for my next video, I've created a new Instagram account for my fans to post completed dioramas you've created (Conditions apply). You can check out the latest activity via: @t See you soon. Cheers, Luke

[@sethdeardeuff3947]

Hey Luke, I’m having difficulty following your link “@t”. Is there more to it? I love your work! Just getting into dioramas myself. It’s not always easy, but it’s very satisfying and enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your methods!

[@dellamardatanjung6891]

Luke can i use negative ion generator like this one : Negative ion generator XHJ-D12F I/P: DC9-15V OP:-DC2.0-6.0KV Please answer me mate 🙏🏻

[@8richardsonj]

For anyone wondering, the account is @bouldercreekrailroad

[@albinoviper2876]

HOLLY COW THATS BIG! Can your girl use it after you are done with it?

[@rosvilla9]

@@8richardsonj did you ever got an answer? I wanna get the same one

[@thesewalkamongstus8367]

As a model engineer of a long time ( I Am wrong side of 60) it never ceases to amaze me how young people get addicted to model making, just because of the high quality of your videos. You are an inspiration to all of us makers out there, especially when it comes to the fine details you have learned, and share with us for free. Well done you. Top Man. please keep up these top quality videos for as long as you can (, and Stay safe out there... especially at high altitudes ;) )

[@davidbrito4091]

S a beautiful world we live in no need to hide information for gain anymore!

[@gammelgamer]

Really calm voice. Almost fell asleep watching this video, not because it was boring, but because of your voice. This comment is not meant negative or anything, it's just relaxing listening to you. Keep it up!

[@lynnweisbach4139]

gammelgamer I agree. Not the falling asleep thing, but the fascinating, professional talent and skill. I could watch these all day. Thank you for sharing.

[@DMarko22]

Yeah, ASMR. Love the topic but also the calming effect from his voice.

[@Thesavagesouls]

Bald man here, i'd like to have a word with you.

[@b33tle_g00se]

Feo g

[@sokol7215]

Hahaha 😂😂

[@theweirdshow2860]

Frwoageto

[@mrmas2535]

Yeah I thought it was similar to the hair stuff!

[@BookOfMorman]

😂😂😂😂

[@kevinmcnena2237]

Thank you Luke for this video. I have watched it over and over again. During the 'lockdown' I bought all the items required and set out to learn how to solder and put this together. The one thing I couldn't get was the pipe cap like yours, I got one which is a soft plastic, but it works. This was a long term project, which I finished today, and it works perfectly! I can't believe I made it. Thank you so much for this and all your other videos. You are such an inspiration. Keep up the great work. All the best from the 'west of Ireland'

[@DamienWise]

Great tutorial, and a nice update on your previous version of this DIY tool, thankyou. Tips for anyone new to electronics: * 1N4007 diodes are common and fit the specification for 1000V 1A. * If the LEDs aren't working you might have the leads the wrong way around. As the diagram shows, the longer lead is positive (red wire). If you've trimmed the leads to the same length, you can still tell the polarity by looking for a flat spot in the flange around the base of the plastic part of the LED; this is the negative (black wire) side (also shown in the diagram).

[@lancev.o8052]

Thanks!

[@shiroumxm2052]

or use a 3v battery to test it

[@wfpnknw32]

1 amp sound alot/dangerous. Anything over 100mamp (0.1amps) is potentially lethal. You only need the voltage for this so having a high voltage and then 0.05amps should be ideal. Also will make batteries last longer. I doubt the types of transformers used here create more than that but just in case.

[@j.mcq.8418]

What are the specs of the 12V power supply for this? 1A output?

[@jpkarenko6952]

Your work is not just functional, it's ELEGANT! Thanks!

[@seanando800]

Excellent tutorial luke! I just finished my applicator and you have saved me around $150 cause I almost went out and bought the woodland scenics applicator 😁

[@donsinai2554]

I built a 75mm applicator using a 6KV negative ion generator bought from eBay but it didn’t work very well. Bought the 20KV generator from Oatley Electronics as suggested in your video and fitted it to the applicator, it now works great. After watching videos about the small 25mm applicators from Peco and WWS I thought I’d give it ago using the 6KV generator. All the parts were 3D printed and I even found the same sieve at Woolies. I now have two awesome applicators. Thanks Luke, you inspired me to have a go and I’ve ended up with 2 very good applicators.

[@sjohncreations4369]

Do you perhaps have the stl files / tutorial for the 6kv one? I can’t seem to find a 20kv where I live, only the 6kv one

[@andrewkeeney701]

Excellent clinic. I bought all the parts from Joe Fugate years ago but never built it. This clinic was exactly what I needed. It's quality made and a great looking tool. Thank you. Andy K.

[@thatlowesguy5544]

What an OUTSTANDING video on making this amazing device. Many thanks to your hard work and dedication sir!

[@neillooker6077]

You are setting the standard for model railroading.

[@thepocketmonsterfamily2007]

When the KZbin algorithm actually shows you something interesting for once.

[@jeremyrogers6353]

Love it- what a perfectionist! Most people would have just put insulating tape everywhere and hoped for the best!

[@adamc1272]

Well, I wanted to learn how to build a static grass applicator on the cheap and this was the first thing I looked at - I think I probably went to the right place! Fantastic video, many thanks for sharing. Cheers.

[@digitraxdad5755]

Great tutorial again Luke. One suggestion regarding soldering to the mesh, I use some flux and a hot iron, say 359 degrees Celsius and it should take the solder really well. A bit of a pre polish with a fibreglass pen helps remove any coating or surface corrosion from the mesh too.

[@sadkingbilly]

Came across this while browsing for hot wire cutters (my Proxxon isn't always big enough), and this popped up. Ordered a cheap negative ion generator from aliexpress to test this! Thank you for the wiring diagram, it's absolutely perfect!

[@peacemeal3196]

My 6yo son loves your videos- he pesters me to watch them! Great effort!

[@gfdia35]

It's pretty clear with this many subscribers you ought to just do these videos my friend , you have a gift for both extraordinary model building and unintentional ASMR but that's just a bonus

[@markmanypenny4787]

Luke, I have built several applicators using your design,and I am ecstatic (no pun intended)over how well they work !! Keep putting out more videos,they are all extremely informative. Cheers !!

[@cravatez5218]

don't know wether you'll read this.... WOW ! really nicely done.

[@Jenneration95x]

Ahh these videos are my guilty pleasure good to have you back You have been missed

[@unforged]

Watching building this is as pleasant as you building a model. Thanks for the video.

[@TheNWPerry]

Thank you Luke for this excellent video. It is very timely as my purchased applicator from China has just died. Once I saw your video it convinced me to try the build myself. What was really great was the parts list and where to get the items needed and the circuit diagram. As a fellow Aussie it was quite different knowing where to go to get what was needed rather than decipher a foreign video and chase equivelant parts. Once again a big thank you Luke.

[@alexdumitras7586]

The best grass applicator i ever made/used!!! Amazing results!!! Looking forward for more of your tutorial! Thanks Luke!

[@dannylaguer515]

Welcome back Luke....!!!! Thanks for new video tutorial version of Grass Applicator and hope to see this in action !!! More power to your channel mate !!! Cheers, Danny Toronto, Canada

[@Lunchable420]

Luke!!! I literally hope every day that one of your videos will pop up in my subscription box!!

[@wstephens5427]

This is a great tutorial, thanks. One suggestion, instead of using a resistor to limit current to the LEDs, use a LED driver; CL2N3-G. These limit the current to the LED to 20mA regardless of voltage (within the limits of 5V to 90V). They cost about the same as resistors and are just as easy to install.

[@SenselessUsername]

And a buck convertor to make the 12V (or a bit more, if better), instead of a supply & cables. Cheaper, no cables, lighter...

[@gunfighterzero]

great to see you back.. Brilliant idea with the dual power inputs..

[@erikiacopelli451]

See now this kind of stuff I love. Now I gotta go thru all ur videos to see what kind of other stuff like this can be made. Thanks n keep it up

[@valborchardt3596]

Thanks for this video Luke, very informative. Welcome back mate, youve been sorely missed. Take care. From val in south africa

[@rgetty]

This is so great, Luke. Can't wait to build my own! Thanks for your contributions!

[@bocarlsson3rd]

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to make it. You are doing a great service for the community. /Bo

[@jo-bahn8737]

High Score again. For the first time after many similar vids: with this blueprint I trust I could finally manage to build one on my own. You should trade the detailled guide for a support of your channel. Without any doubt appropiate. Cheers!

[@Bazajeti]

I used your tutorial and it worked out super well. Mine looks not as professional but works insanely good

[@sloegin5231]

The link to the electronic schema on your website isn't working anymore.

[@csnyder29]

Great video Luke .. really glad to see your back to making some.

[@artflair.n1]

Welcome back I really missed your videos it’s so relaxing to watch

[@Number_055]

Seeing one of these for the first time was like magic!

[@jellyfishaqua]

I missed your videos! I love how soothing and creative they are!

[@Achw3l]

Your videos are so calming Luke. Love it

[@figuresix]

I priced out everything needed to make this and came to $79. To buy a decent one already made $69, and amazon even has less expensive ones at $26.. I think I will just buy one. Save time and money..

[@jamesedwards7241]

knocked one of these up from old junk and a 50k generator I filched out of an old ioniser but here's a thing. having that amount of power where little fingers can get into it I figured was not such a good idea so looked a lot harder at how these things work. Turns out that putting the emitter above the static grass rather than below in the form of a plate actually gave better results and the screen of course was not charged at all significantly meaning no toasty little fingers also to the use of a push for on activator button gave added safety as the moment you put it down it stopped working no matter what. Just a few thoughts. Great video.

[@paulingram4266]

G'day Luke, had a go at making the static grass applicator and it turned out a treat!. Thanks so much for posting. Real easy to follow video and had a lot of fun doing it. Cheers

[@mikesutsser3828]

I built one a few years ago, very easy, and it works very well.

[@fbsenigalia10]

Aqui no Brasil usamos a famosa raquete pra pegar pernilongos, prático e barato! Ótimo video, como sempre!

[@marfrandema1884]

Where have you been???. Nice vid luke!

[@gregbowen617]

Nice upgrade to an already good applicator. I have already made and used the original and I may look to modify it if I can, or build a new one. Great video once again...

[@RideWithChrist3-7]

This is so satisfying to watch.

[@ODGColornChrome]

Awesome Luke! Welcome back! Hopefully not as long until the next vid.

[@elchick8328]

Have missed your vids, mate! Glad to see another one! And for a new and improved static grass applicator to boot! Any chance you will continue your modular layout vids? I'd like to see what happens next. Cheers!

[@kiwibird8441]

El Chick could you use a modified cheap torch for the top part?

[@glenalbertson7763]

El Chick uç

[@bananadictator3032]

Kiwi Bird yes

[@mobileandhostile7895]

Thankyou for both taking the time to make this and sharing your knowledge....Subscribed

[@sabrekai8706]

Very nice construction. Well done.

[@bradbeining3341]

So glad to see a new video.beautiful build

[@jml4798]

Thanks for posting this video! But where have you been?!

[@SkottTomas]

Thumbs up. I've just ordered all the piezes you mention. Can't wait to build my own :)

[@FumetsuNoAnataE]

That negative ion generator is pretty nifty isn't it? Back in high school, I made myself a shocking device that pulled ions from the ground and charged my body so long as I was grounded. Anybody I touched would be shocked with a sort of static shock similar to rubbing socks on a carpet. Ran all of the wires into a little box on my ankle that surprisingly resembled a bomb! Hah I was never caught, so it was all fun. Great video!

[@timjerome8942]

Flocking great! Thanks Luke!

[@MycobraII]

I see that your negative ion generator has only 3 wires on it. The ones I find on ebay some other sites have 4 wires on them. What is the difference?

[@jjab99]

Great video and a great idea too, well done Luke!! Have fun and please keep these videos coming!! Joe

[@jotwee63]

Great video, ordered all the components and will build this as well. Thank you!

[@MustafaGARGI]

Other components are in my pocket. I just need to buy a 12v generator for just 3 or 4 dollars. You are amazing buddy.

[@1Thrufire]

Luke - Thanks for the great video and device. Question: on your prior applicator you used a male electric spade connection to the lid sieve. Why solder the wire directly to the sieve? I thought having the disconnect allowed you to swap in different lids with larger sieves so using taller grass was easier. It also had the advantage of allowing your applicator to connect directly to an inexpensive "flower-box" plate. (No need to purchase a separate ionizer!)

[@joeofwar7772]

glad to see you back luke! always great vids!

[@anthonyirwin6698]

Not sure if I'll ever get an answer to this but I'm wondering how you would wire one of these up with a negative ion generator that has two high voltage wires instead of one. would one of the high voltage wires connect to the mesh, and the other high voltage wire act as the "ground" wire? or would I use both high voltage wires on the mesh and add a ground wire where you did?

[@technopoptart]

good to see you back!

[@Steven_Rowe]

Luke Your viideos on static grass applicators are brilliant. Both your mark one version and the dual power version. It actually looks proffesional and quality. I checked out your web site and you have a shopping list of cost and where to buy the bits. Now that makes you stand out. Kind of funny that Oatley electronic is nowhere near Oatley but on the central coast. What fun you can have with 15kv.

[@MalinOfSweden]

Dude! That’s awesome! I need one of these badly. Can you teach Santa’s helpers so they can make me one for Christmas?

[@yangzheng4071]

i feel so relaxed to watch ur video！awesome！thanks for your hard working，have a nice day！

[@billfrater1948]

They be Nuts not Bolts. Love your work Bud.

[@sabinew239]

13:45 15000 Volts - avoid touching that with your hands...Okay, but what happens if someone does accidentally touch it? I'm sorry, I don't know a lot about that sort of thing, but considering there are 120-240 Volts from a power outlet, that does sound kind of dangerous? I'm serous though, what would happen if anyone accidentally touched it? Would it be very uncomfortable or could it be potentially lethal? Sorry again for asking this rather stupid question, but if someone with more knowledge could educate me a bit on this, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

[@jjones503]

I've never seen this stuff before, but that's some cool grass.

[@justinrogers1630]

Love your work, curious, I've recently made my own static Grass applicator, I'm curious if you've even tried to create a mowed grass effect with one, maybe even a lawn that's being mowed with the striped lines and a figure pushing or driving a lawnmower into the unmowed portion of a lawn? If not, could you try this effect in a future project?

[@erickm119]

Been waiting anxiously for another video. Great work Luke.

[@cesaraugustomorenomolina8158]

So, Luke, as I understand, on 14:00 you can use either AC or the battery? Does this mean that this could be done with only the battery installation?

[@salmakhatun3168]

Your static grass applicator is very good and highly professional . I hope next time you would make other tools that you have used in other vedios.😀😀

[@r.catssapin191]

🤔🤗😎 I definitely got to try static grass. It's a lot easier than what I do, gluing one strand at a time! Wow, his way is so much easier then my way.

[@Emersonac]

Welcome back!

[@ITTom]

Quality work with attention to details.

[@dacuzzz]

hi Luke... great info on this project... i will be needing one soon so this vid will be helpful when i'm ready to build one.. thanks for sharing.. vinny

[@Emily-cv2yf]

I’ve got to have more videos! I hope everything is good with you!

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, man. BTW, if your dc socket has 3 pins you could easily use both battery and 12v adapter with a simple on off switch. Because when the adapter is plugged, even it's off, the battery would be disconnected. :) I did it once in something I made... All you need is a diode. :) Maybe someday I make a video explain it. :)

[@schoepfdrive]

Great explanation . Well done.

[@bswt_phoenix_bswt]

thanks for this video big help now in making my own gras

[@Taialth]

DON'T LEAVE US AGAIN LUKE

[@shankaranchelliah516]

xxyzoot13 photos get

[@faturrahman8151]

Dude, your video is so relaxing

[@trevorvanzuydam8115]

373K in 4 years,well done mate !

[@daytonpyro]

a video of you soldering all the components would be great.

[@albertosonnoli464]

simply wonderful

[@AJ-wk6vk]

Excelent as any time. Thumbs up. Greetings from Germany.

[@marciaamaral1873]

Maravilhoso!!!! Vou fazer😂😂😂

[@gianlucarovere1014]

You would love the Italian Presepe! It's a Christmas tradition, check that out!

[@mcgruppjunction5326]

Made my day when your notification popped up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@Fashionstarrynights4850]

This is how velvet fabric is made ...nice technic😃😃

[@Swazmo]

I love your work, all your work.

[@cordulahellberg1210]

Good idea and great explanation

[@tyjoart4115]

Luke, I love watching your videos although I don't make dioramas, they are calming and satisfying to watch. Are you going to be using this new applicator for your dioramas?

[@Glasseater]

WERE BACK BOYS 👏👏👏

[@kaku6455]

i hope you can upload weekly,

[@rdgk1se3019]

Its also a good idea to rough sand Delrin in order to get glue to stick to it.......also I do have one question for you Luke, what is the white material you are using for making tufts at the end of the video?