TruePowerStatic Grass Applicator for Railway Terrain Modeling Diorama - Electrostatic Flocking Machine for Velvet Dashboard, Jewelry Box

Just testing this after replacing a cheaper version. Both were a second applications with spray glue vs diluted brushed. I hadn’t vacuumed yet so much of the horizontal stuff will pick up. Much stronger field, used the electric adapter. This was 4mm grass through the smallest sieve. I need even shorter grass, so grok suggested an 80 mesh. Looks like I can cut a circle and drop it in the large mesh. Anyway, good first impressions and good instructions. They are serious about grounding the probe after it is off, it will shock.

I carefully read the reviews on the product before I ordered it from Amazon. The package arrived completely intact as did the product, itself. Before using it on my model railroad, I setup a test application. Got everything ready to go and the unit WOULD NOT TURN “ON!” I tried EVERYTHING: installed a fresh 9v battery, tried different power outlets, tried turning on/off multiple times, tried pressing the static applicator button … NOTHING worked. Even called the manufacturer and explained my situation. He said that “… unfortunately, I had a defective product” and offered to replace it. Called Amazon Customer Service and arranged a return for a credit TO GET A REPLACEMENT. Within about 24 hrs, Amazon delivered a SECOND one to my front door. Pessimistically, I plugged the second one in RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX and again, with/without a fresh 9v battery, IT DID NOT TURN ON! This one’s going back to Amazon and I’m selecting a different applicator.CHANGE OF OPINION: After I posted this scathing review, a manufacturers representative reached out to me and offered to send a brand new applicator, factory direct (at no cost) to me with no obligation in response to make up for my grief/aggravation. I agreed and the FIRST thing I did was plug it in to see if I could get the power light to go on/off. IT DID. I later inserted a 9v battery and IT WORK.Still pessimistic and not wanting to screwup my layout, I took a scrap piece of cardboard, painted it with white glue and used the applicator to apply 4mm grass. IT WORKED! Haven’t tried any other grass sizes but my ONLY constructive comment is that the three different mesh caps should be labeled/marked in some fashion and the packing literature makes it difficult to tell them apart. It’s probably my lack of experience with applicators but it would be helpful to have suggested mesh sizes associated with corresponding static grass length. Hats off to the manufacturer for standing behind their product.

I usually don’t write reviews, but in this case, I make an exception the product works very well as described. I’ve had good success with it after practicing about four times on a piece of cardboard. I’ve used grass from 4 mm to 7 mm even than 12 mm and I’ve used the 1 mm screen and it’s all turned out great just followed the instructions to look at some videos online and get an idea on how to use it. It’s not hard at all. It works well very pleased with the outcome five stars for sure for this static grass applicator $65 is the cheapest I’ve been able to find one and this works just as good if not better. and all I use was the battery. I did several areas already from a decent size area to small areas I do wear gloves as electrician retired. I know what getting shock means so I do wear gloves to be on the safe side leather gloves, but that’s my choice. I’m not sure if necessary

The design of this applicator is dismal. It clogs immediately, and I have to beat on it to get much out of it. They say put glass in it to break the clogs...doesn't work well. I've seen videos of other applitators, and the grass comes out easily.After looking at other designs, I found the problem. Other applicators have a charging terminal located in the back of the container. This one has a spring that extends the terminal to the grid. In other applicators, the terminal gives the grass a charge, then it falls freely through the grid, attracted to the working surface, which is grounded. In this applicator, since the grid is the terminal, the grass stays stuck in the grid.I bent the spring wire to be in the back of the applicator, and left the glass in the container. Now, the grass gets a charge, and while it wants to stick to the wire, the glass knocks it loose, then it falls freely through the grid, to the surface. It stands up correctly, although there is some excess. That's no problem..after the glue dries, I suck up the excess with the shop vac.Follow up: because the full voltage is directly on the grid, when on ac adapter power there's a lot of arcing to the work surface. If you have any electronics anywhere on your layout, beware. This will zap them. Battery power not so much, and little arcing after I modified it. But, before I realized this, I lost several led lights and a Darlington transistor in my power supply. Probably ignorance on my part, but they should warn about this. I wonder if other applicators have the same issue.

When I first recieved the product, the box was in pretty bad shape but the item was intact. When I finally got to use it, it didnt work. I had to get a replacement for the item and it areived in a much better situation than the first. Recieved the replacement and it works flawlessly. I like the simplicity of the item and the ease of having to use a battery or the power supply if came with. Having tha battery option makes it one less cord to tangle around your project, which is a big plus. With 3 different size of opening, one tip is to make sure to add at least 2 washers inside the hopper so that the flocking material will not clamp up. This is also mentioned in their manual. I highly recommend this item for your flocking needs.