Drying sand in the oven- anyone try it?

Onhwy61, Did you get that from Rachael Ray's "Cooking Rocks" 30 Minute Gritty Meals? "The Ants in the Sand" Recipe adds a little more Protein... Yummy! ;0)~

Seriously... Sand would be the most economical route, however make sure the sand is 100% dry. Many play type sands are bagged and shipped moist after being exposed to rain. I would prop each bag in an upright position, and cut a slit in each bags top. Opening and allowing it to dry out in a non-humidity area for a few days prior to filling your rustable steel stands.

A "Easy Bake" oven would make for a great sand dryer!

Lead shot, is not something you really want to play with. I'd rather eat Ants in the Sand, then knowing I had lead in the house with the kids.

Lead dust is even worse! I heard horror stories of fellows that used lead to fill their stands in their listening rooms. Missing the stand, & spilling it all over the carpet. Lead is also non-magnetic, & using a vacuum would agitate the lead dust. I can send you a 16 page EPA brochure on what lead dust can do to a childs still developing mind. So if you have children I would strongly rule out the lead.

Unless you ate Lead Paint chips as a child, since your parents wouldn't buy you Ruffels stay away from Lead.

So let's talk about the Numero Uno Rule of filling a stand.

1.) No matter what filler is used, if possible due to stand weight, fill stands Outside or in your Garage in case of SPILLS!

Good Luck!