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So I searched the forum with no luck, so I am gonna throw this out there.

How/What do you guys use for cheap basing materials?

I was thinking I could grind up some sprue, but that might get messy.

Also, how would you seal said material so it would not come off?

Thanks.

-DR

PVA glue (you call it elmers I believe) for sand and small cork granules. I paint over thr dried base with either with a clear gloss varnish then a quick matt varnish to dull it back down if (I was doing the base as a sandy base) or I put a tiny drop of soap in a tub of green paint to break down surface tension then paint all over, then highlight.
Some advocate superglue but none of my 14 year old models have started to lose their bases yet!

You can add flock grass, small rocks, other items for interest too, obviously.

Other basing materials can be glued on but you'll probably need superglue for that or green stuff to press it into.

Experiment to find your own way but there are loads of articles on GW websites and other modelling sites.

I found a product called tube sand at Home Depot. Its a sandbag, meant to hold down tarps. Inside, the sand is a mixed bag of coarse sand, tiny pebbles, and fine gravel. The stuff is great for desert style basing as-is, just dab on some glue (i always put a bit of paint in my glue, in this case vermin brown) and sprinkle on the sand. If the glue is applied thick enough it will hold the pebbles without any extra fuss.

Sawdust. Save some or get some from a carpenter. sift out the large splinters and tie the powder inside a rag (old T shirt). Buy a pack or two of Rit liquid dye at the the grocery store, mix it up and throw in the shirt with the powder inside. (Follow the instructions on the dye package but only use half the water)
When it dries out you'll have enough flock for an army.