dwents Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 can anybody help ?I need to make a secondworld war army theme I have got loads of empty sandbags but dont want to fill with sand but wan't the sandbag wall effect It needs to be light to carry and also stack well Any ideas what I can fill with ? Goes without saying Fire Resistant etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Polystyrene, like bean bags, but with safe fabric not sacking - it should be easy to then distress decent material into sand bag looking bags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahame Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 What about Vermiculite? Lightweight and fireproof; readily available from garden centres and DIY stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jemma Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 We recently made some with about 1/3 sand (to give them some actual weight, to save any cod 'heavy' acting) and 2/3 vermiculite. This means they get set down with a more realistic 'thud' as well, but will not break anyone's back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwents Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 Sorry Paul Im not an expert but isnt Polystyrene Flammable or do you do something to it to stop it becoming so ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 Sorry Paul Im not an expert but isnt Polystyrene Flammable or do you do something to it to stop it becoming so ? I believe you'll find Paul said: but with safe fabric not sacking to deal with the fire issue. That said, I second (or third) the vermiculite idea. I've used it at least three times and it works well...though hat's off to the sand/vermiculite idea. I've run into the problem of the bags looking too light when handled and that sounds like an elegant solution. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwents Posted July 29, 2009 Author Share Posted July 29, 2009 Sorry if Iwas being particully vague My only experience with Polystyrene is being told off by a fireman friend who showed me how fire spread round a room because the polystyrene coving acted like petrolSo from what I'm understnding is the material around it what stops the polystyren from catching fire ?? is that why you said use a different material? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 You can get Flame Retardant Polystyrene - including balls:LINKwhich is what the ones on our stage at present are filed with (if I believe the technical rider). You can also get flame retardant Hessian to make up your sacks with. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam2 Posted July 30, 2009 Share Posted July 30, 2009 I have seen cat litter used for filling stage sand bags, it is a lot lighter then real sand, but a lot heavier than polystyrene beads and therefore more realistic.Cat litter is inherently non flamable. Although it may seem rather expensive, it is cheaper in bulk packs, and if you know anyone who keeps cats indoors, then after the show it can be reused as intended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwents Posted July 30, 2009 Author Share Posted July 30, 2009 Thanks for all the posts on this subject very helpfullwill let you all know whats decided on Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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