Your videos have given me so much pleasure and so many ideas! I have been going to build a model railway since the 1970s (yes, really that long) and I have looked at magazines and track plans and software. But you’ve given me the confidence to just start building. I love your use of everyday stuff like cardboard and newspaper, and I’m looking forward to having a go. Thank you so much.
My dad had model railways when I was very young, about 1969. Ever since I have had an almost unconscious wish for a model railway, although I spent 40 years military modelling. Then when my son was 9 he wanted a model railway and it just took over, pushing against an open door I guess. We were put off by the cost, complexity and search for perfection in the mainstream, but Doug wanted one so we just went for it and found cheaper simpler ways of doing it. Have fun, enjoy and just build it how you want
Good idea using a plastic shaker to add static charge to the grass before gluing it, I’ll try that once I get to the grass stage of my budget layout. And don’t worry, nobody heard the cameraman whisper ‘get yer arm out the way’, so I won’t mention it :-)
Another brilliant wheeze! I will use this too on my current project. Thanks for sharing. Maybe you could de-smell curry powder by spreading it on a board and putting it outside for a few days? One would need to be sure of dry weather though!
I like the idea of modular scenery. I have collected several plastic shaker containers that are exactly the same as Woodland Scenery sells. they came with organic sugar in them.
The concept of static grass is to having it standing like real grass.? I use a vacuum cleaner with a dusting cloth attached to the nozzle, this way the grass can he made to stand up and it also captures the overspill of that grass, two jobs in one... then coat with a hair spray...
Yes you are right but it was our first attempt as we like to film as we go along so people can see the ups and downs. We know a better way of doing it now and will do a video when we get a moment and we also hope to have a video on using a static grass applicator. Again sorry you didn't enjoy the video!!
Hurrah, thank-you! Did anyone ask about the size of the holes in the shaker? Oh, and: My expectation is that the particular plastic might be used for other bottles, so that could be an even greater saving.
Why use static grass if your going to flatten it down? I'm new to modeling but I thought the whole point of static grass was that it stands upright, also static applicators can be made for about £5.00. Buy a cheap fly swat zapper from home bargains or pound land £1.99 Metal sieve £0.99 - £1.99 Screw top plastic tub £0.99 Thin wire, crocodile clip, glue and maybe some small bolts or rivets (depending on the type of sieve you get)£0.99 Watch TH-cam vid how to build. Job done 😁 Mine works a treat, maybe not as good as an expensive one but it works 👍
Hi, thanks. You could just use scatter grass but this gives a slightly better look. Mind you I still use grass mat, scatter and this technique as I like a mix on my layout.
Another clever idea!! 👍👍 I Made my own Static Grass Applicator, using a $2 electric Fly Swatter, a plastic measuring cup, and some Steel Window Screen. If I can ever get the money to fix my Camera, I'll do Video on it. 😉 Carmine 💥⛽
@@jetsr4real I got the idea directly from Luke Towan. He's an A++ Modeler, with a TH-cam Channel of hundreds of advanced Tutorials! I strongly recommend checking out his Channel.
Thanks for the excellent idea, I would not discard the plastic dispenser I had bought with its 1 € content of garlic flakes when it would be empty. The result is pretty good, and the use of a thin cardboard sheet to support the grass is also a practical solution if, like me, you have a temporary layout. Instead of glueing it on your layout, you dont' glue it at all, and remove it on the cardboard when you have to store all the stuff between two sessions. Meanwhile, I have found your Auhagen bottle on a german retailer website : 3,76 € each ! Your idea is better, no discussion about it.
Found this again, and I have to wonder if the ketchup bottle trick would help get the grass out: hold the jar at an angle and tap the neck, if really desperate, hold straight upside down and tap the bottom of the bottle to make the grass fall out. I think either method would give more control on where the grass falls. CU
Mike, I use a salt shaker with a metal screw on top. Put the grass fibers in first, then screw on the metal top. Rub viro u gsly thru your hair for 30 seconds and and turn upside down and over area U want grass shake Before adding more grass fibers in Yeast upright with an old toothbrush to get the fibers to stand upright If u desire dead grass, don't tease the fibers. Apply more as needed to complete the scene.
Hi. I love this video and the idea of modular scenery. I have been thinking about this for some time as I need to build my new layout but will move house in a couple of years so I want to transport it safely and easily. Any ideas where I can go for information on the modular scenery from others who have done this approach. Thank Ian
@@NicolasAndradeH No probs.....I'll prob never get around to making one either...But I still find the whole process really interesting.....And the results look great.....Makes me wanna put static grass on everything even though I have no need to.....Or make a model railway just so I can use static grass hahaha.....I might actually use it on a miniature base or diorama one day :-)
Could you then draw the grass upwards statically some more by passing a piece of charged material like an old nylon stocking or a balloon over it (like ya can do with ya hair). Or something like that. Kinda like ya do with a proper static grass applicator......Just a thought......An interesting cheap alternative anyway.....Thanks for the vid :-)
Russell I been wondering that myself, can I just spray the glue, shake the grass out over it, and then charge up a balloon on the carpet and hold it about an inch or so over the grass to stand it up... imma try it, before I start my homemade swatter applicator.
@@BudgetModelRailways does your “like” on my question mean it’ll work? I seriously only need a few coin-sized patches...I really don’t wanna buy the pre made stickers, or an entire setup I’m only gonna use once...
You sir seems to have knowledge to the question, I'm seeking answer for. So my problem is, I bought a gras master 2 applicator from some shop on ebay, it was used, but looked pristine. It works, but obviously missing the oomph. The grass kinda stand, but 6 mil and up... It's just not what I can see on videos, half of the straws are laying on top of those, which kinda stands upward, so something is definitely wrong. I tried to shorter the chamber capacity, creating a disc covered in tin foil, with screw in the middle, to extend the wire at the bottom of hopper, but that didn't done much. Effect is super visible, when I'm trying to do tuffs, or layer the grass, the density is poor, it lays horizontally mostly... I'm kinda desperate at this point. I bought new 9V battery, supposedly industrial grade, and problem is still there. So, do You have any idea, what I can do, to bring it back to life? I have spent quite a penny for it, and would be a shame to ditch it like that. I have 11,1V batteries at hand, around 1200mah, and wonder, if I replace this tiny 9V for one of these, would it solve the problem, or just burn the thing down, damaging it permanently? Thanks from ahead, hope You can help me ;)
Same track but OO is 4mm to a foot HO is 3.5mm to a foot which is technically more accurate with the track. It's a historical anomaly and only the UK use OO , which doesn't help the cost!
Mine is english N scale. It was a little bit cheaper than european N when I started ten years ago. And I can read the documentation books about it, which it not possible for me with what would have been my initial choice : japanese N scale.
seems like a lot of trouble when you could just take anything that's round and glue chopped up seagrass on it that's what I did makes a great-looking bale of hay
Hi Tony, that's great thanks, have also subscribed to you. I'm quite pleased with the static grass using this technique, just wish I'd looked in my wife's kitchen cupboard before I bought the identical shaker for three times the price!!
Great video,my friend! Sadly in India it's very difficult to find model railway grass altogether!is there any way where I can make my own grass itself? Regards Adarsh Lakshman
@@BudgetModelRailways the felt idea is very nice,but the chopped up herbs can go bad and ruin the layout,but will surely try the idea!thanks mate,and keep safe Adarsh
@@adarshlakshman4715 also, try mixing paint into sawdust, that can make a nice cheap base for large pieces of scenery. Experiment with different colours of paint and ratios to sawdust and lay it out flat to dry.
Static grass applicators are expensive and your method seems just as good at almost no cost. I take it the plastic bottle creates static when you shake it ? I'll try it and see if it works. THANKS.
i've learned more watching 2 of your videos than i have watching hours of other creators content, very good ideas.
@@iateeat thank you, glad to help
Your videos have given me so much pleasure and so many ideas! I have been going to build a model railway since the 1970s (yes, really that long) and I have looked at magazines and track plans and software. But you’ve given me the confidence to just start building. I love your use of everyday stuff like cardboard and newspaper, and I’m looking forward to having a go. Thank you so much.
My dad had model railways when I was very young, about 1969. Ever since I have had an almost unconscious wish for a model railway, although I spent 40 years military modelling. Then when my son was 9 he wanted a model railway and it just took over, pushing against an open door I guess. We were put off by the cost, complexity and search for perfection in the mainstream, but Doug wanted one so we just went for it and found cheaper simpler ways of doing it. Have fun, enjoy and just build it how you want
Yet again brilliant ideas and saving a fortune. Love the idea of undertaking it outside the layout. Have a great Christmas.
Thanks, happy Christmas
Good idea using a plastic shaker to add static charge to the grass before gluing it, I’ll try that once I get to the grass stage of my budget layout. And don’t worry, nobody heard the cameraman whisper ‘get yer arm out the way’, so I won’t mention it :-)
Superb! Very very very good video and sound ! Great!
Greetings from Zagreb / Croatia
Thanks very much, all the best to Croatia
Another brilliant wheeze! I will use this too on my current project. Thanks for sharing. Maybe you could de-smell curry powder by spreading it on a board and putting it outside for a few days? One would need to be sure of dry weather though!
Or have a fragrances layout lol. I know of one chap who used herbs as scatter
@@BudgetModelRailways Well actually I have been thinking of doing an Indian NG layout, during the Raj!
I like the idea of modular scenery. I have collected several plastic shaker containers that are exactly the same as Woodland Scenery sells. they came with organic sugar in them.
Great idea thanks
Auhagen is a little company near my hometown. Good quality stuff.
The concept of static grass is to having it standing like real grass.? I use a vacuum cleaner with a dusting cloth attached to the nozzle, this way the grass can he made to stand up and it also captures the overspill of that grass, two jobs in one... then coat with a hair spray...
Pressing down with the flat hand and then to cap it all, with the fist, seems to defeat the whole object of static grass.
Yes you are right but it was our first attempt as we like to film as we go along so people can see the ups and downs. We know a better way of doing it now and will do a video when we get a moment and we also hope to have a video on using a static grass applicator. Again sorry you didn't enjoy the video!!
@@BudgetModelRailways I had the same thought. But it was still an enjoyable and interesting vid :-)
Hurrah, thank-you!
Did anyone ask about the size of the holes in the shaker?
Oh, and:
My expectation is that the particular plastic might be used for other bottles, so that could be an even greater saving.
You buy herbs etc in exactly the same bottle for £1 !
Why use static grass if your going to flatten it down? I'm new to modeling but I thought the whole point of static grass was that it stands upright, also static applicators can be made for about £5.00.
Buy a cheap fly swat zapper from home bargains or pound land £1.99
Metal sieve £0.99 - £1.99
Screw top plastic tub £0.99
Thin wire, crocodile clip, glue and maybe some small bolts or rivets (depending on the type of sieve you get)£0.99
Watch TH-cam vid how to build.
Job done 😁
Mine works a treat, maybe not as good as an expensive one but it works 👍
Very clever. Really useful tip. I have been seeking for a cheap method. Couldn’t find an easy way like this. Thanks
Hi, thanks. You could just use scatter grass but this gives a slightly better look. Mind you I still use grass mat, scatter and this technique as I like a mix on my layout.
Another clever idea!! 👍👍
I Made my own Static Grass Applicator, using a $2 electric Fly Swatter, a plastic measuring cup, and some Steel Window Screen.
If I can ever get the money to fix my Camera, I'll do Video on it. 😉
Carmine 💥⛽
I'd enjoy checking that out.
@@jetsr4real I got the idea directly from Luke Towan. He's an A++ Modeler, with a TH-cam Channel of hundreds of advanced Tutorials! I strongly recommend checking out his Channel.
Once again I like the approach, and will look to see how it can be applied to my current scenic area.
that makes sense. shake it to create the static and them shake onto a piece of card cut to size, smart and budget friendly, thanks, merry christmas
Thanks. I think the main benefit is you don't get all your track etc covered. Glad you liked it. Merry Christmas
merry Christmas to you to!
Very, very, very good
Thanks.
Thanks
Excellent video, I've now watched 2 of you vids and they're great. Lots of info and great tips!
keep up the good work.
Thanks for your support
Thanks for the excellent idea, I would not discard the plastic dispenser I had bought with its 1 € content of garlic flakes when it would be empty.
The result is pretty good, and the use of a thin cardboard sheet to support the grass is also a practical solution if, like me, you have a temporary layout. Instead of glueing it on your layout, you dont' glue it at all, and remove it on the cardboard when you have to store all the stuff between two sessions.
Meanwhile, I have found your Auhagen bottle on a german retailer website : 3,76 € each ! Your idea is better, no discussion about it.
Found this again, and I have to wonder if the ketchup bottle trick would help get the grass out: hold the jar at an angle and tap the neck, if really desperate, hold straight upside down and tap the bottom of the bottle to make the grass fall out. I think either method would give more control on where the grass falls. CU
Mike, I use a salt shaker with a metal screw on top. Put the grass fibers in first, then screw on the metal top. Rub viro u gsly thru your hair for 30 seconds and and turn upside down and over area U want grass shake
Before adding more grass fibers in
Yeast upright with an old toothbrush to get the fibers to stand upright
If u desire dead grass, don't tease the fibers.
Apply more as needed to complete the scene.
Great idea
hmmm now to test curry powder as fine turf...
Use saw dust
I think thai green curry powder might give interesting results
Can you dye curry powder?
Brown grass?
@@ashokav8 I do....my son makes batches of it dyed for his war-gaming and always has plenty spare....including planetary mauve!
Hi. I love this video and the idea of modular scenery. I have been thinking about this for some time as I need to build my new layout but will move house in a couple of years so I want to transport it safely and easily.
Any ideas where I can go for information on the modular scenery from others who have done this approach.
Thank
Ian
Oooh a Madras ballasted track now THERES an idea 🤔 ill have to build the Darjeeling Ltd. 🍛
Lol
i made a static grass applicator using an electric fly swatter from the pound shop
Would you care to elaborate im looking for a cheap solution
@@NicolasAndradeH Did you work it out? I've seen a few good how to make them vids on YT
@@28russ haven't got around to making it but I saw a few vids as well, thanks!
@@NicolasAndradeH No probs.....I'll prob never get around to making one either...But I still find the whole process really interesting.....And the results look great.....Makes me wanna put static grass on everything even though I have no need to.....Or make a model railway just so I can use static grass hahaha.....I might actually use it on a miniature base or diorama one day :-)
Did you know you can use spices as senery sure your layout will smell like Basel but it’s a whole lot cheaper
Excellent idea
Have you ever tried painting the base brown then put it on ?
We usually use green
Good tips. Thanks for posting, Rob
Thanks Rob.
Could you then draw the grass upwards statically some more by passing a piece of charged material like an old nylon stocking or a balloon over it (like ya can do with ya hair). Or something like that. Kinda like ya do with a proper static grass applicator......Just a thought......An interesting cheap alternative anyway.....Thanks for the vid :-)
Yes that can work
Russell I been wondering that myself, can I just spray the glue, shake the grass out over it, and then charge up a balloon on the carpet and hold it about an inch or so over the grass to stand it up... imma try it, before I start my homemade swatter applicator.
@@BudgetModelRailways does your “like” on my question mean it’ll work? I seriously only need a few coin-sized patches...I really don’t wanna buy the pre made stickers, or an entire setup I’m only gonna use once...
It's worth a try. The puffer bottle should be fine on such a small area
Good technique. Tnx.
Thanks
You can get pretty cheap static grass applicators on eBay nowadays
Jeff Johnson yeah, I picked one up for £9
Another great video tutorial, mate. Thanks for sharing and posting. I´m gonna subscribe to your newsletter. You Englishers sure do talk funny. :-D
Thanks. I guess there is quite a lot of idiom and slang that does not translate? Like they say two great nations separated by a common language !
And one big pond! :-)
Indeed, somewhat bigger than the pond that keeps us seperate from Europe !
What size holes are in the lid?
Nice!
Very nice job
great tip thanks mate have you seen the video of my static grass applicator is a hood piece of kit.
Hi, we will take a look, I see you make your hedges the same way as us, it's very effective isn't it.
Is auhagen still the best static grass to use for this method, or would the static grass in the drop down menu under the video be as good?
Thanks for the video - great tip. Where are those Tudor buildings in the corner of your layout from please?
Hi, they are standard superquick kit buildings but cut in half to make low relief buildings! ;-)
2:46
My god, manufacturing hit by rising costs after Pound's Brexit dip! :O
You sir seems to have knowledge to the question, I'm seeking answer for. So my problem is, I bought a gras master 2 applicator from some shop on ebay, it was used, but looked pristine. It works, but obviously missing the oomph. The grass kinda stand, but 6 mil and up... It's just not what I can see on videos, half of the straws are laying on top of those, which kinda stands upward, so something is definitely wrong. I tried to shorter the chamber capacity, creating a disc covered in tin foil, with screw in the middle, to extend the wire at the bottom of hopper, but that didn't done much. Effect is super visible, when I'm trying to do tuffs, or layer the grass, the density is poor, it lays horizontally mostly... I'm kinda desperate at this point. I bought new 9V battery, supposedly industrial grade, and problem is still there. So, do You have any idea, what I can do, to bring it back to life? I have spent quite a penny for it, and would be a shame to ditch it like that. I have 11,1V batteries at hand, around 1200mah, and wonder, if I replace this tiny 9V for one of these, would it solve the problem, or just burn the thing down, damaging it permanently? Thanks from ahead, hope You can help me ;)
I would send it back for a refund
@@BudgetModelRailways Store was closing, and selling their stock, so no refunds I guess
Very nice tip, I could not see clearly, did the top have small holes in it? Merry Christmas to you and your family...Simon
yes. there were small holes in the lid to let the static grass through. Merry Christmas!
What's your favourite scale? Mine is HO
I like HO best but sadly there is next to no UK outline HO and US or European HO is expensive, so I am happy with OO. I couldn't get on with N at all!
What's the difference between ho and oo?
Same track but OO is 4mm to a foot HO is 3.5mm to a foot which is technically more accurate with the track. It's a historical anomaly and only the UK use OO , which doesn't help the cost!
Mine is english N scale. It was a little bit cheaper than european N when I started ten years ago. And I can read the documentation books about it, which it not possible for me with what would have been my initial choice : japanese N scale.
Lol. The Kato stuff is very tempting though
seems like a lot of trouble when you could just take anything that's round and glue chopped up seagrass on it that's what I did makes a great-looking bale of hay
hello I have just found your channel and subscribed, great tip on the static grass.....Tony
Hi Tony, that's great thanks, have also subscribed to you. I'm quite pleased with the static grass using this technique, just wish I'd looked in my wife's kitchen cupboard before I bought the identical shaker for three times the price!!
Ps, have you subscribed to our e- newsletter due out Saturday?
not yet but I will do......Tony
Great video,my friend! Sadly in India it's very difficult to find model railway grass altogether!is there any way where I can make my own grass itself?
Regards
Adarsh Lakshman
Green felt, or chopped herbs as scatter?
@@BudgetModelRailways the felt idea is very nice,but the chopped up herbs can go bad and ruin the layout,but will surely try the idea!thanks mate,and keep safe
Adarsh
@@adarshlakshman4715 also, try mixing paint into sawdust, that can make a nice cheap base for large pieces of scenery. Experiment with different colours of paint and ratios to sawdust and lay it out flat to dry.
@@southaussielad2496 that's a pretty good idea!
Static grass applicators are expensive and your method seems just as good at almost no cost. I take it the plastic bottle creates static when you shake it ? I'll try it and see if it works. THANKS.
It also helps if you puff the bottle to blow the static grass out
OK thanks mate. I didn't expect a reply, that was a surprise so thanks for that as well.
We try to reply when we can,
great ideas, TY
Thanks
Where can this be bought
0:48 what is that ?
Saw dust sprayed various shades of green is also somewhat effective
The combination of a lot of things gives the most effective scenery....NOT just one method! ie: mix of sawdust/ static grass /crumbed foam
Would a talc powder bottle work 4 this ?
I would think so
Why is the static grass cheap?
Because you don't have to buy a static grass machine £25-£55?
In the end it's not 'static grass' but 'simulating 'grass'. Quite different. Another choice.
Fair point I guess
Uhh, I hate this modellers grass :-(
This is probably the easiest cheapest method, it still gets everywhere though!
Get out my way. Lol
A bit pathetic considering that grass grows up, not flat.