Hey guys, what basing sand you tend to use for your miniatures?

I'm looking for ready made bags of fine grain sand for 10mm. As I feel like the stuff I'm using right now is a tad bit on the large side.

Pictures would be great!

I use a mix of red builders sand and silver (play) sand.

Budgie sand, from a pet shop ?.....I seem to remember that was a pretty fine consistency.....Though you might need to pick out some of the tiny pieces of shell that's mixed in.

Cheers - Phil

I am fierecely loyal to Pendraken. If they can't supply my 10mm needs, then it's not worth doing until they can supply my needs.

Hence I use Minibits sand BAS-MS1, as fine as a fine thing on a fine day up in court facing a fine. It is said, by those whose are under some sort of watch list, that each grain is inspected by Milady herself, partially because she hasn't been mentioned in a while, and each tub is gently kissed by her unnaturally perfect lips in blessing before being sent out.

There is a camp (well more of a hospital really) that say it is best Middle-borough sand, robbed by specialist ninja-dwarves (Techno get cracking on those) from only the finest building contractors. Others, with a more twisted state of mind say that it is medical sand specially designed for getting into swimwear and causing the most lamentable itching.

The truth though is that it's a very fine sand, and goes onto bases beautifully.

Get some today, remember BAS-MS1, the wittily entitled "Fine Sand, 250g" (you know, Dave paid an ad agency £2000 for that title   )  at only £2.30 for 250g. Get yours today and if you quote code FSN1 on your order, nothing much will happen - for free!



Sorry chaps. It's the heat.

I bought 30 kg of sandbox sand from Argos over 10 years ago, then took it home on the bus. Still using it.

IanS

Builders sand for me.

I added a bag of the fine sand FSN mentioned on my order. I prefer modelling sand as it has been cleaned prior to bagging. Normal builder sand includes too much dust to my liking.

However, sand that's available all around us, is what I use when doing terrain.

I've a bag of builders sand from, err, Homebase? B&Q? Somewhere that's now gone bust, through the receivers and broken up for parts? It's been a while... like Ian, it was about 30kg's and has done me nearly a decade

Probably a bit big for 6mm, maybe 10mm, but tbh it's close enough and it works and it was about £2.50 as well

I have been known to nab a bit out the spare sand for the wee ones sandbox on occasion though.

I use the white sand for bird cages. Have to get the bits of shell out but I find it excellent for 10mm.

Cheers,
Rob

I use playpit sand from B&Q mixed with  Javis Ballast Chippings

I nicked a load of sand from s fire bucket about 20 years agp and still using it. The fire bucket was never needed and the building has since been demolished.

Were the two things related, Leman

Any fine play sand should do the trick.   Buy one bag - enough for a lifetime.


Phil

Main thing is make sure it's dry.

With  sand it's probably worth cooking it for a couple of hours to make sure any fungus and bacteria are killed off

I use extra fine  gravel I found on eBay

To collate the warnings (from above).

1. Wash any building sand thoroughly: Several changes of water.
    You'll benefit from a neutral pH, and eliminating any potentially reactive contaminants.
    Your batch of sand may not actively attack your basing material, or provoke lead rot - but why risk it.

2. Dry is good - bake in an oven as advised - don't use the best family Le Crueset / Tefal as this tends to open hostilities.

3. Allow it to cool before use - Because medieval castle defenders knew a thing or two about pain.

Play sand has been cleaned, it's for kids and they put anything in their mouths, The sand for aquariums is also washed and sterilised and is pH neutral.

Regards,

Martin

Don't leave the sand outside.....If there's a lot of it.

The local cats will use it as a 'latrine'.......(Unless you like the smell of ammonia. )

Cheers - Phil

My two cents - I find sand is heavy, and abrasive. That's why I use model railroad ballast, in various grades. If i need smaller than the smallest I just put some of the smallest sold between some pieces of wood and grind it down. Have never had an problem. I use it for bases, grass clumps, small shrubs, and leaves on trees. A small bag is very cheap and lasts forever!!!

Terry

Bought 3 kilos of decorative sand (intended for floral arrangements and candle beds) for 99p in an end-of-line sale at Sainsbury, over a decade ago now. Very, very fine grains.

Still lots left.

Though that may say more about how little painting I manage these days!