Model Railway Forum

Not at the grass stage yet Steve. Have just been cutting a square hole to take the switch. One point I raised on the Hornby forum was whether the nuts, bolts and washer, which all now seem to be galvanised, would conduct power as well as raw steel, or better still brass as WTD suggested. I could not find an 80mmx6mm brass bolt (or longer to be cut down). I mentioned it to a friend, who an hour later said will this do? He had taken a steel six inch nail, cut the head and point off, cut it to 80mm long and tapped a thread to take the nuts. So hopefully that should work - I can't believe the rod being threaded or smooth will make any difference. I've got the static grass pot from Amazon, but it has a clip-on lid (the same as the alternative to the E45 pot used in the Chrissaf's instructions). If it all works, and there is no reason at all why it shouldn't, the total cost of parts is very similar to some of the cheaper one's commercially available, but the satisfaction that you've built it yourself outweighs the cost. Barry

I was given a Peco Static grass applicator as a present but I have never been able to get the thing to work. Using a wet pva base and Noch static grass, nothing seems to happen! The grass sticks to the plastic receptacle but when it comes out it doesn't stand up on the pva base. Is there any way to test the circuitry?

Maz066 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 20, 2018 8:22 am I was given a Peco Static grass applicator as a present but I have never been able to get the thing to work. Using a wet pva base and Noch static grass, nothing seems to happen! The grass sticks to the plastic receptacle but when it comes out it doesn't stand up on the pva base. Is there any way to test the circuitry?

I did try one with PVA but didn’t get good results but once I switched to their ‘basing’ glue and layering spray it was a different story with great results. I found it best to hold the unit about 3cms from the surface and lightly tap the sides of the container.

Maz066 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 20, 2018 8:22 am I was given a Peco Static grass applicator as a present but I have never been able to get the thing to work. Using a wet pva base and Noch static grass, nothing seems to happen! The grass sticks to the plastic receptacle but when it comes out it doesn't stand up on the pva base. Is there any way to test the circuitry?

If you get the mesh of the applicator very close to the pin or crock clip it will spark. Don't get yourself in circuit! Holding the applicator too far above the area to be treated is one cause of failure, Another is low battery power.

I made mine out of an electronic fly swat, following the instructions in a YT video. It's very effective and was very cheap to make. And yes, it does produce a large spark if you get too close. R-

This is the good thing about the "Chrissaf" version - you cannot get a shock as the power is not attached to the mesh.

Is there a recommended length for the wire with the crocodile clip?

Silly question, but what is the best took for cutting the wire mesh? It's pretty tough stuff - wire cutters weren't up to the job, and I resorted to a pair of track cutters, which did the job but obviously not ideal. Tin snips?

A Dremill with a cutter disk

Tin snips would be ideal Barry.
The trouble with a cutting disc is that it could easily snag on the mesh so it’s potentially quite dangerous. Not quite the same but some years ago I tried to cut a car handbrake cable with an angle grinder - nearly lost a finger.

Side cutters.