5Lbs Premium Ultra-Fine 400 Mesh Oil-Free Casting Sand for Metal Jewelry Crafting - Exceptional Foundry Sand for Detailed Replicas in Silver, Copper, Bronze, and More - Reusable Molding Clay

After years of using standard petrobond sand for my home foundry projects, I decided to try this 400 mesh ultra-fine sand last week, and the difference in detail quality is immediately noticeable in my castings! The first thing that struck me was how much finer this sand feels compared to my previous 100 mesh variety - it almost has the consistency of flour but with a slight grittiness that allows for good gas permeability. I tested it by casting a small bronze pendant with intricate leaf patterns that my regular sand always struggled to capture, and the results were impressive - even the tiny vein details in the leaves came through clearly for the first time. The sand packs beautifully into the flask when properly prepared, holding impressions precisely without crumbling or falling apart during pattern removal. What I particularly appreciate is how this sand handles undercuts - I was able to successfully cast a small figurine with moderate undercut details that would have been impossible with coarser sand. There is definitely a learning curve with this product, though - it requires much more precise moisture control than coarser sands, and my first attempt was too wet which caused some surface defects from steam. After adjusting my technique and being more careful with water measurement, subsequent castings came out much cleaner. There are a few limitations worth mentioning - this fine sand has less natural permeability than coarser varieties, so proper venting becomes even more critical to avoid gas defects. It's also more expensive than standard petrobond, though the ability to reuse it multiple times helps offset the cost. The finer particles can be more prone to creating dust during handling, so good ventilation and appropriate safety measures are even more important. I've now used this sand for both aluminum and bronze castings with consistently good results, though I find it particularly valuable for the bronze work where capturing fine detail makes a significant difference in the finished pieces. For foundry enthusiasts looking to take their casting detail to the next level, this 400 mesh sand offers a noticable improvement over standard varieties if you're willing to adjust your techniques to accommodate its unique properties.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I purchased the 5lb container of sand and found that this works great with my other sand but also has been great for small projects. The sand itself is fine enough that when it comes to pounding it down, I was able to do so without it loosening up when I was removing the item I was molding. Even with the powder I was using, I found that when it came to casting my molds, I was able to remove the metal without too much sand sticking to it. The sand itself is made of really great quality and just wish it came in bigger than 7lb containers. However, I will be buying more of this sand for my smaller projects as its easier to work with. Not to mention, just saw that this brand has other materials that I'm highly interested in. Really great sand though!

Does not come ready to use. It comes as a fine powder that needs water mixed in but provides zero instructions or amounts to use. I’m buying the previous stuff I used this stuff sucked

I got a bag of sand.

I noticed a complaint in the reviews that no instructions or bucket (container was provided). First, if you are looking for casting sand, you’ll know what it is and how to use it. Otherwise, why are you purchasing it? Secondly, the sand I received came in a heavy-duty bucket with a strong handle. The sand is of excellent quality Recommend.

Works as described!

Waste of time and money. Did not have good results even after playing with the moisure content for a couple days

it’s really hard to achieve good results, in all the videos i see sand holds the shape perfectly and this one doesn’t