Static grass applicator?

[cram]

Been thinking off getting an static grass applicator, however they range from around £10 to around £140! Have any of you had experience using these? Is there really that much difference in performance between one costing £10 and one costing £25+ ? 
Also from the videos I've seen on Youtube of people using them, you have to stick a pin into the base you want to flock and then attach the applicator to the pin via a crocodile clip. The thing is the bases they are pressing the pin into are always wood, I mount my figures on pennies so I'm not going to be able to drive the pin into a metal coin, any suggestions how I would get around this, other than not using coins of course?.

Many thanks Marc.

[Lordblackwing]

could you not just put the clip on the coin in a bare spot,add the grass and the touch up the bare spot? I would think the coin wouild function much like the pin when charged to attract the static grass.

[cram]

Yes I think you're probably right Lordblackwing. Obvious when you think about it. Thanks

[Lordblackwing]

be sure to let us know if it works and show the results. i have been looking at those as well.

[Cherno]

I have one of the simpler ones that is just a PVC bottle with a cap that has some holes in it, the idea is to shake the bottle so the grass is charged by rubbing against the inside of the plastic bottle and then you squeeze it so the grass gets blown out by the pressure. I am fairly sure that this setup could built with on old shampoo bottle and some tape

[Sangennaru]

I have one of the simpler ones that is just a PVC bottle with a cap that has some holes in it, the idea is to shake the bottle so the grass is charged by rubbing against the inside of the plastic bottle and then you squeeze it so the grass gets blown out by the pressure. I am fairly sure that this setup could built with on old shampoo bottle and some tape

well, that shure is interesting!
But i'm afraid that the basic principle cannot be aceived this way: the electrical attraction must be bewtween the metal grate and the PVA surface, in order to align the static grass blades. With the statical electricity a huge mess happens.
Well, this is theoretically speaking. I would love to see it in action, though!

[Hammers]

Physics, you've got to love it.

I am also very keen to hear if people think it is worth the effort. I love gadgets but hate tools which end up at the bottom of the drawer never to be used again.

[Mister Rab]

Noch do a static grass puffer bottle which gives the 'grass' a slight charge (friction through the nozzle). I haven't used one myself but, applied straight onto glue, the stickiness of the glue should hold one end in place while the rest is repelled from the surrounding 'blades' so they stand upright. Same principle as Cherno's bottle, above, and probably exactly the make he is using.

The physics is sound (I teach it!), but I'd be interested in knowing how it goes in practise, too.

[Estarriol]

All I ever do is agitate it with an old paintbrush once the glue is dry. Sure, some won't stand up but enough will.

[zizi666]

All I ever do is agitate it with an old paintbrush once the glue is dry. Sure, some won't stand up but enough will.

Same here. well, almost. I use a piece of plastic rod that I rub against my sweater. Works good enough for me.

[cram]

Bought an applicator on ebay this evening for £14. I will let you all know how well it works, an will try and post up some pictures.

[Sangennaru]

quite curious. Will follow your progress!

[Ninja]

I also would love to see some before and after or this has it this doesn't shots to see if it is worth it.

[Brandlin]

I use the notch puffer bottle. It works fine.

[Thargor]

I use the Noch bottle too.