DIY STATIC GRASS APPLICATOR

I made this DIY Static grass applicator early last year, in preparation for future Terrain building projects, for the gaming table. 
Its also a cheap and ideal option for constructing  Tufts for Infantry bases.
On this page I describe: 

1. How to make a DIY Static grass applicator.
2. How to use the applicator to construct Tufts.  
3. How to use it for general Terrain making. 

Completed static grass tufts for placement on miniature infantry bases

DIY Static grass applicator 

Disassembles to gain access to battery and flock holder

1. HOW TO MAKE A DIY STATIC GRASS APPLICATOR

Items needed

• Small kitchen strainer
• Small food container with lockable lid
• IONB2 Negative ION Generator Module: maybe purchased for AUD $14.00 from Oatley Electronics at: http://oatleyelectronics.com/product_info.php?products_id=915
• 9 volt connector
• 9 volt battery
• Plastic wire connector
• Push button switch
• led light
• Crocodile clips
• Extra wire
• 2 x Plastic containers (or PVC drain pipe maybe substituted equal to the length of the 2 plastic containers approximately 8 inches in length, and use threaded end caps, found at your local hardware store)

• Cut handles off strainer
• Cut a circular hole in the top of the lid of the food container to fit mesh.
• Push the strain thru the inside of the lid and glue into place.
• Glue the lid of the circular container onto the base of the food container.
• Drill 5 holes to allow for 3 x wire access, switch and led placement .

Electrical layout

2. HOW TO  USE THE  APPLICATOR TO CONSTRUCT TUFTS

Items needed to produce static grass

• Static grass applicator
• grass flock
• your wife's oven baking paper 
• metal biscuit lid
• PVA glue
• green paint
• scissors

Open applicator lid and add flock and lock.

Cut wax paper sheet to fit metal lid

Clamp crocodile clip onto the rim of the metal container and mix 90:10 ratio of PVA to green paint

Use a instrument to apply varies size dots onto the waxed paper

Turn applicator on and shake the flock onto the dots.

Tufts of grass are formed as the applicator draws the grass upright over the PVA.

Remove excess

Completed tufts,continue this process until the sheet is completely covered and  allow to dry

Once dry, tufts are ready to remove off the baking paper as needed 

Currently working on completing  the basing of my British figures, hope to finish them soon.

3.HOW TO  USE THE  APPLICATOR TO CONSTRUCT GRASS FIELD

Follow the same procedure as described in section 2 above with the difference, the crocodile clamp needs to be placed into the terrain board (weather its MDF or Styrene foam) via a pin or very thin nail to complete the electrical circuit. 

 Grass on MDF

side view