Alcanman Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Hi,  For the second Xmas running, Santa Claus failed to deliver an Atlas Gold Series CSX Dash 8-40B  However, every cloud has a silver lining and instead of a loco I received a Noch Gras(s)master. For some time I've looked enviously at the superb  grass on layouts, but was put off by the cost. I thought I couldn't really justify the cost for my small layouts which don't have a lot of greenery.  I used to think the same about DCC! Now, I know that some people have made a static grass applicator for a few pence using a tea strainer or fly swatter,  but my electricals skills are such that I'd probably end up electrocuting myself.  Anyway, I now look at the purchase as an investment and my brother's railroad empire in his loft will certainly require a lot of grass.  So far, I'm very pleased with the results, here they are:         regards,  Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 12, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 12, 2012 Mal  Looks very good.  I am now hooked on static grass and intend to add to older layouts after borrowing someone else Noch unit.   Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbonnetuk Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Nicely done! Â Grass tufts and static grass are more expensive but really do give a far more superior effect that ground foam. I have no regrets in investing in a Noch machine for scenicing 'Galatia' Â Dan Spalding Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Ooh, very nice Mal!! I have 'inherited' a Hi-Tech version (i.e. an electrified sieve) and really must get around to trying it. Do you have to buy grass that is specifically labelled as "Static grass" or can any grass fibres be used? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Thanks guys.  Grass fibres can be used. I got mine from International Models. They offer the Grassmaster at a reduced price if you buy 3 packs of MiniNatur grass fibres from them.  http://www.internationalmodels.net/acatalog/Grass_Fibres.html  The Grassmaster also includes a Noch sample pack but I found the green to be too bright.  Lance Mindheim uses Heki products which look good.   regards,  Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gwinnett Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Looks good Mal. Mind you, when I read the title I thought you'd bought yourself a Genset! Â Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I wonder why you have to be 18 years old to buy the Noch thing? Someone being using it as a weapon? Â Looking good, Mal, specially with the lighting low and from the side. Â Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Since it can give a fair old belt, perhaps they feel someone may build a tazer with it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Ok when I get one I'll try it out on my Wife. I'll let you know if it works... Â Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Hi how high can you get the grass to grow?? and how do you do it?? Â Ray Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted January 15, 2012 Author Share Posted January 15, 2012 Hi Ray,  The longest fibres from MiniNatur are 6.5mm which is approx 20inches in HO Scale. There is a very good demo by Dave Frary  here on YouTube  The new Mark 2 version also includes a funnel attachment which is useful for small areas.    regards,  Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Cheers Mal looks quite effective,thinking of having an overgrown spur on my new layout,been experimenting with heki tufts,but this looks alot better  Ray from deepest west cumbria Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Grant 4472 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 Nice greenery  Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 Cheers Mal looks quite effective,thinking of having an overgrown spur on my new layout,been experimenting with heki tufts,but this looks alot better  Ray from deepest west cumbria  Funny, but I was just thinking the same yesterday, so I added a little more static grass to the beer distributor. Now it looks overgrown and disused?    Luckily, a delivery of beer has arrived today. I hope it's Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.    cheers,  Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 18, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18, 2012 Mal  You nearly had me worried saying the beer distributor had gone.. phew!!   Hope it is Sierra Nevada Celebration they have in there!!!  The grass really does look good. The only problem I have had after installing the grass and even after removing the 'loose' grass, if painting anything afterwards, the grass will find the wet paint. Next itme I might try a sealing coat onto the grass before painting anything near it. Not sure what others do.  Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warbonnetuk Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Mal  'Weeds' look fine esp if that spur is only getting irregular deliveries. On my couple of visits to Santa Fe the spur to the Budweiser depot there was pretty overgrown eventhough it was still getting odd deliveries  Ian - In the Lance Mindheim books he recommends misting over static grass once it has dried with dilute matt medium to seal it and also give it a bit more protection.  Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 18, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 18, 2012 Yes I do remember about sealing the grass but didn't expect it to do what it did on newly painted surface especially as the layout had been vacuumed and been 5oo odd miles and back in the car to a show etc. Â Â Â Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 Thanks for the tip about painting after static grass application. I don't think there's much change of the beer distributor warehouse being repainted. Â I'm still on a bit of a learning curve with static grass. In my excitement at finishing the grass, I ran my GP40-2 and it moved along very jerkily final coming to a halt,totally bunged up with static grass,reminded me of an old Lima Class 20. Now I always vacuum off the surplus! Â Â Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I like the 'overgrown' spur .... it's partly what helps define spurs from the main line - for me, anyway.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Hi,  I've completed adding static grass to the layout by giving the 'urban canyon' staging track to give it an 'overgrown' look. I'm starting to get the used to this wonderful little machine  and for me, it's the best thing since DCC sound! Sometimes I think it helps to have new innovations to stimulate and continue our interest in the hobby.  Here's a few pics          regards,  Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 27, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 27, 2012 Mal  That looks superb... must order one so I can 'grass' the older layouts.  Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine coast Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Nicely understated .......very well done ... will have to borrow one myself from the shop soon, as I get on with my own layout ... Â Regards Trevor .. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Ditto! Looks gorgeous. Florida is very lush, as you know, stuff grows everywhere. Â Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Really does look good, Mal... plain 'undecorated' Staging tracks will never look the same, now... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Thanks guys, your comment are much appreciated. Palmetto now holds the record for being my longest lasting layout, helped partly by the encouragement I've received from RMWebbers. Â Â regards, Â Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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