Ballasting & static grass laying

[burnthebox]

GET A LOOK AT THIS GUYS, A BIT BALLASTING & SOME STATIC GRASS LAYING,

 

http://modelrailwaylayoutsplans.com/more-from-dave/#comment-13361

[David Holman]

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?

[Broithe]

This video is always worth watching again..

 

[video=youtube;5nTtOOKan-U]

[josefstadt]

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?

[BosKonay]

Interesting stuff

 

http://www.bal.ie/products/quickset-render

[Dave]

This video is always worth watching again..

 

[video=youtube;5nTtOOKan-U]

 

Love it! =))

[irishthump]

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.

[josefstadt]

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?

[irishthump]

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.