"Flock Box" Topic

I cannot believe I have never seen this before. Does anyone have any experience using it?

youtu.be/Ndy1OK3Sa_4

I like it! You still have to run a current through the static grass, no?

Very cool, that's a great find! I did a quick search and this is what I came up with so far:

link

Here's pricing on a couple models:

auction

auction

Looks like that's pretty much the only way you can purchase it.

And another video:

YouTube link

Now that is a pretty neat trick. Now I want a flock box. Doh!
I notice that we in the states will have to purchase a DC adapter.

Cool! Surely you can make something like that yourself without getting shocked, right?

PatrickWR, I was thinking the same thing. I've already made a smaller version from a battery operated bug zapper, this one:

link

the easy instructions can be found on YouTube. Just Google "DIY static grass applicator." However, surely a bigger (surface area) one can be homemade without too much trouble or expense? I was doing a little searching, but haven't really found anything practical for a DIY project. Anyone out there have any ideas/suggestions?

The price on Ebay isn't too bad…

I agree, the ebay price isn't bad. I'm just curious if it's possible to kitbash one for low cost since I like tinkering with stuff like that anyway. Has to be someone out there who cobbled one together wouldn't you think?

Ok, I was poking around a bit more and found this article that shows you how to build 3 different types of applicators (but not like the Flockbox design. The article starts runs from page 93-121:

link

Another question came to mind though. Is the Flockbox just a negative ion generator placed in a plastic housing with an on/off switch? I'm not an electronics person and could totally be way off base here, so it's just a theory of mine that maybe that's all the Flockbox is?

Has to be someone out there who cobbled one together wouldn't you think?

Yes a guy called Lea Boultwood is the guy who cobbled it together. I'm assuming warpainter.net/index.html is his website?

Like everyone else I immediately think to myself "that can't be too difficult to make" However at £25.00 GBP-£35 depending on the model plus an adapter isn't bad compared to other less suitable grass applicators. Question is…why is this guy not on here!

I am on here :)

The reason I do not supply a DC adapter is that I find them very unreliable and do not want returns purely because the adapter failed. Plus most people have one knocking around at home or can get one dead cheap from those stores that sell everything cheap. Also it saves shipping costs, esp overseas.

A lot of you guys are on the right lines with your guessing. Basically the Flockbox is an upside down version of the other static grass applicators. BUT there is a secret to what makes it work that obviously I do not want to divulge. So feel free to make a copy but when it does not work and you are scratching your head I am afraid I won't be able to help :P

The cost of my Flockbox device is pretty good in comparison to the other devices out there. I can only sell them at that price as I make them all at home myself. It is the shipping costs that hurts, I have to send them all as 'signed for' delivery after too many past idiots ruining it for the rest of you guys. International shipping is esp bad in price but I do lose a little myself on all the shipping prices, I should charge a bit higher really.

Don't forget you get some free static grass samples and with the 1mm grass I put a big 50g bag in with each Flockbox, that would probably cost you £5.00 GBP elsewhere.

Anyway, got to go right now as dinner is ready. Feel free to ask questions, I will answer tomorrow.

Lol…I knew that would fetch you out of the woodwork

We like your Flockbox….I just cannot for the life of me believe this is the first time I have come across it.

Personally the making of tufts is my biggest interest.

Thx for showing up

Agreed. Warpainter, I think you have a great product! Thanks for making it available. I'm going to order one.

In any case, I was always curious as to how to make a larger version than the one I made from the bug zapper years ago and since, admittingly, I have little to no knowledge of assembling electronics, it's one of those projects I've always wanted to do for myself purely for the personal satisfaction and use I'd get out of it. Again, thanks for your work. :)

Thanks for your kind words guys :)

Fizzypickles, making tufts is what the Flockbox does best. You can either make them using the upside down method as shown in the video. Or you can clip the Flockbox's Earth lead onto a basic household metal sieve and use it the same way as the other static grass applicators, shaking grass onto your glue surface.

With the upside down method you do not have to keep shaking off the excess grass as any grass that does not hit the glue just falls back down. You do need to use silicone paper to put the glue dots onto so you can remove the grass tufts when they are dried. It takes a little practice to get the glue dots right, ie too thick and the glue drips. You can either use PVA glue or carpet tackifier to make self adhesive tufts.

53Punisher, If you mean making a larger shaker type applicator then all you do is make the hopper that holds the grass bigger with a bigger mesh opening, simple! I would say you can use up to A4 mesh but to be practical it would be best to stick to about A5 max. The internal electronics will still work just as well. With the Flockbox I have found I can place a sheet of metal up to A4 on top of the Flockbox and it still picks up, in fact it improves performance!

Word is spreading about my device and I recently have had 2 requests from well known websites wanting to review the Flockbox. I am a little worried about the potential of not being able to keep up with demand but lets see what happens :)

Thanks M8, I think you have a great product there personally. Make sure you protect it, as far as is possible. When demand goes up, which it inevitably will, you always have two options, the price can go up and you could go down the hired help path although I guess that then involves some legal minefields. In my experience, this community of Gamers and scale-modellers has some pretty good folks within it, I'm sure you'd find someone that would help develop and market it.

Soon as I am in good books with the wife I'll be taking one off your hands.

PS. Have you found any particular adaptors more suitable than others?

Thanks Fizzypickles :o)

I do have an unemployed friend in mind who knows electronics well and is ready to help out if needed. Else I would think about having it produced under license to a company that has a good reputation.

With the adapters, I just use cheap ones myself.

I have bought say 3 identical adapters at a time and find that one can give up a couple weeks later and another from the same manufactured batch will just keep on going. Hence my reluctance to provide adapters.

I need plenty of backup adapters as I have a variety of home made flocking devices, so backup adapters are a must as I produce grass tufts to sell.

At the cheap end of adapters it is a bit of luck as to whether you get a good one or not. I've noticed during the Christmas run up the adapter prices rise a lot on eBay!

I would not be without my Flockbox!, very good investment.