https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/flocking-applicator • Posted by Rebecca Skeels.
Ever felt that a tool is a little expensive don't feel you know whether should buy it or not. All you need is a little try. Here is a simple and cheap alternative to making a flocking applicator, it may be all you need if you only make small items! See link to pages that can be printed out and used. https://www.facebook.com/145534025467989/photos/?tab=album&album_id=805102002844518
Ever felt that a tool is a little expensive don't feel you know whether should buy it or not. All you need is a little try. Here is a simple and cheap alternative to making a flocking applicator, it may be all you need if you only make small items! See link to pages that can be printed out and used. https://www.facebook.com/145534025467989/photos/?tab=album&album_id=805102002844518
You will need an electric fly swat like this.
And wire, a sieve, crocodile clips, polymorph or thick tape.
And some pliers, screwdrivers, batteries, tweezers, scissors and tape.
Take the fly swat apart by removing the screws in the handle.
Keep hold of the screws as you will need them.
The button will be loose, so put that in a safe place too.
Undo the screw that had been revealed by the open handle.
Split open the racket part of the fly swat.
The live (red +) goes to the inside mesh and the other (green -) goes to the outside bars.
You only need to do this if your wires are not coloured
You can dispose of the frame now.
Break the handle off the sieve.
Then cut the length of the sieve to the desired length.
Short enough to not interfere with the circuit board.
Long enough to hold in place.
I bend mine a little to clip in place.
You will now need to attach the crocodile clip.
Negative (green -) to crocodile clip, remove one.
When attaching the clip remember to feed the wire through the cover first.
Ensure the wire has good contact with the clip.
Positive (red +) goes to the sieve.
Tape this in place.
Then make sure all the pieces fit into the handle.
It is thinner than the fly swat so will need some padding to keep it in place.
I use polymorph but you could use card, duct tape, etc
Make sure you put the screws in place while it sets.
Wait for the polymorph to set.
When the polymorph has set all you need to do now is put in the batteries.
Flock
pva or wood glue, a brush and items to be flocked
When flocking paint on some glue in a nice thin layer. You can also use nail varnish, if it is the same colour as the flock it will make a deeper richer colour, be careful your nail varnish doesn't dry before you get to flock the work.
Attach the crocodile clip to the piece.
Fill the sieve with enough flock for the area you wish to cover.
Press the button on the side of the applicator.
Sieve the flock onto the work, place the seive very close to the surface you are flocking, but not touching.
To flock a material that is not metal you will need a pin or piece of wire.
Put the pin or wire in the glue and attach the crocodile clip to it.
When you have finished wait for the glue to dry.
Note: Flocking material does not mix too well.