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Has anyone found a good replacement for the old GW modelling sand? My tub is starting to run out and I can't see anything currently available that seems to match. I want my basing to stay consistent across all my models.

Please no replies advising me to go to the beach, a pet shop, a children's sandbox, etc!

Cheers

Yeah just ebay search for Basing Sand.
You'll find lots of things.

Look for the "fine sand" and the GW stuff is no different. You can get a 200g sample cheap so can always order more if its consistent with your current grain size.
There seems to be "ultra fine" sand being sold as well so I assume thats the finest grain size

Sand is sand so really it should all largely give same result.

Head to Geek Gaming, they have a massive selection of sand and stuff

Honestly I just used beach sand. My area has fairly fine sand.

Give it a sieve to get rid of any bits and critters then wash a few times and bake in the oven until it's dry. Got a big tub that i'm gradually working through.

cody.d. wrote:
Honestly I just used beach sand. My area has fairly fine sand.

Give it a sieve to get rid of any bits and critters then wash a few times and bake in the oven until it's dry. Got a big tub that i'm gradually working through.

What if the nearest beach is 100+ miles away?
Love how OP clearly said hes not wanting advice about getting sand from the beach in his post.....And yet...

cody.d. wrote:
Honestly I just used beach sand. My area has fairly fine sand.

Give it a sieve to get rid of any bits and critters then wash a few times and bake in the oven until it's dry. Got a big tub that i'm gradually working through.

Reported for threadcrapping. This is completely unhelpful.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Argive wrote:
Yeah just ebay search for Basing Sand.
You'll find lots of things.

Look for the "fine sand" and the GW stuff is no different. You cna get a 200g sample cheap so cna always order more if its consistent with your current grain size.

Cheers, I've been looking but nothing seems quite right and I wondered if anyone had already solved the problem.

I really wish GW would just make the things I like forever! :-)


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Slipstream wrote:
Head to Geek Gaming, they have a massive selection of sand and stuff

Cheers, I'm taking a look now. That's certainly quite a range!

soviet13 wrote:

cody.d. wrote:
Honestly I just used beach sand. My area has fairly fine sand.

Give it a sieve to get rid of any bits and critters then wash a few times and bake in the oven until it's dry. Got a big tub that i'm gradually working through.

Reported for threadcrapping. This is completely unhelpful.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Argive wrote:
Yeah just ebay search for Basing Sand.
You'll find lots of things.

Look for the "fine sand" and the GW stuff is no different. You cna get a 200g sample cheap so cna always order more if its consistent with your current grain size.

Cheers, I've been looking but nothing seems quite right and I wondered if anyone had already solved the problem.

I really wish GW would just make the things I like forever! :-)

I dunno man.. Its all sand I think.
I recon some of these fit the bill.. I dotn think GW sand is any different. I got some kicking about...
Maybe its like medium coarse sand from memory I remeber it being bigger grain than fine beach sand.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Basing-Sand-Bulk-Tubs-600g-Choose-Type-Basing-Warhammer-Modelling/263295598998?var=562306039362&hash=item3d4da40196:gkkAAOSwKqNcjRHb

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fine-Modelling-Sand-200g-Tub-Wargames-Model-Railway-Basing-Scenery/251327668826?hash=item3a844be25a:g:5WwAAOxygo9Q5ZoX

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultra-fine-basing-sand-beige-50g-100g-or-200g-for-models-and-terrain/274434529256?var=574566227552&hash=item3fe59297e8:g:VocAAOSwSGtfD2Dx

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fine-Model-Basing-Sand-200g-First-Class-Postage-Kiln-Dried-Miniature-Basing/262015509452?hash=item3d015763cc:g:xZYAAOSwjuFbsO7p

soviet13 wrote:


Cheers, I've been looking but nothing seems quite right and I wondered if anyone had already solved the problem.

I really wish GW would just make the things I like forever! :-)


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Well, GW make their own models, and I think they do their paints, too - but their basing sand, grass tufts, slate chunks, etc were just rebadged products from other suppliers. They NEVER made them, same with their glues. There's no point remaking the wheel when there already exist suppliers for those products who deal in bulk. The same suppliers model railway terrain companies use.

 chromedog wrote:
Well, GW make their own models, and I think they do their paints, too - but their basing sand, grass tufts, slate chunks, etc were just rebadged products from other suppliers.

GW never made their own paints, it's all outsourced. Previously HMG Paints, then likely a subsidiary of Windsor & Newton (origin gets fuzzy during the made in France era), then it was off to China where the contract was cheaper, then back to the UK due to poor quality control... quite the whirlwind!

When things settle down enough that it's responsible to be shopping for hobby products in person again, I'd suggest taking a sample of your sand to the nearest railroad/historical model shop. They carry a mind-blowingly wide variety of 'ballast', or sand, gravel and rocks. Woodland Scenics is one of the most popular brands. If they don't have a good match in stock - and realistically if you're painting the bases all it really needs is the right grain size - they can probably order it for you.

your best bet is to try to visit a model railway shop & bring your gw sand with you so you can compare. I know that's not possible right now though :(

I stopped using sand and replaced it with Astrogranite (new batch kinda sucks now, though) and Vallejo basing mass. Saves so much time as you don't have to water everything with pvc glue and mix 3 types of sand to get a decent variable grit.