burnthebox Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 GET A LOOK AT THIS GUYS, A BIT BALLASTING & SOME STATIC GRASS LAYING, http://modelrailwaylayoutsplans.com/more-from-dave/#comment-13361 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Holman Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 There is no doubt that Static Grass is the way to go. I have a proper 'Grass master' and a tea strainer variant and both are fabulous. Gone are the days of laboriously planting sisal, teddy-bear fur etc. With a bit of hair spray and PVA one can build a significant depth of grass in minutes. Gordon Gravett's books on trees shows how static grass can make very convincing conifers too, while his new book due out shortly [Wild Swan pubs] will detail all you need to know about grass and weeds. Check out his Pempoul layout too - just fabulous. 'Crumb' and other fibres still have their place for specialist uses, but static, especially the electric applicators is the way to go. Not cheap, but a fine investment. Share with a friend if you can't afford one outright. However, having recently heard that cheap mascara pencils are very good for covering the bare edges of Metcalfe card kits, I occasionally worry what my wife thinks about my shopping habits. Extra strong hair spray, teddy bear fur, mascara pencils hair clips [good for soldering & gluing]. Whatever next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broithe Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 This video is always worth watching again.. [video=youtube;5nTtOOKan-U] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josefstadt Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 In the October edition of Model Railroader there is a letter advocating the use of grey Polymeric Sand for ballasting. This apparently is a sand to which a water activated glue has been added and which is intended for filling in the gaps between pavers on driveways or patios. The writer says that the polymeric sand can be distributed along the track in the normal way and then only needs to be sprayed with ‘wet water’ and within 24 hours the glue has set, without any glue getting on the track or into turnout mechanisms. Has anyone used this product? The writer mentions a brand name ‘Techni-Seal’. Does anyone know if this product is available in Ireland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BosKonay Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Interesting stuff http://www.bal.ie/products/quickset-render Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 This video is always worth watching again.. [video=youtube;5nTtOOKan-U] Love it! =)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishthump Posted August 28, 2013 Share Posted August 28, 2013 In the October edition of Model Railroader there is a letter advocating the use of grey Polymeric Sand for ballasting. This apparently is a sand to which a water activated glue has been added and which is intended for filling in the gaps between pavers on driveways or patios. The writer says that the polymeric sand can be distributed along the track in the normal way and then only needs to be sprayed with ‘wet water’ and within 24 hours the glue has set, without any glue getting on the track or into turnout mechanisms. Has anyone used this product? The writer mentions a brand name ‘Techni-Seal’. Does anyone know if this product is available in Ireland? Another popular method is mixing powdered wood glue (Cascamite is the main brand available here) and spraying it with wet water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josefstadt Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 Another popular method is mixing powdered wood glue (Cascamite is the main brand available here) and spraying it with wet water. Thanks for this tip 'irishthump'. I'll give it a go whenever I get around to track laying. I presume it works with any of the available model ballast (Woodland Scenics etc). Any idea of the ratios of ballast to Cascamite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishthump Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 Thanks for this tip 'irishthump'. I'll give it a go whenever I get around to track laying. I presume it works with any of the available model ballast (Woodland Scenics etc). Any idea of the ratios of ballast to Cascamite? Can't be sure as I've never tried it myself! I guess you would have to experiment with a small amount of ballast. I imagine you wouldn't need a large amount of powdered glue, Cascamite is strong stuff and it dries pretty much clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.