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.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The media could not be loaded. This isn’t the kind of casting sand you grab for a casual weekend project—it demands a little know-how and patience, but if you’ve got experience under your belt, it’s incredibly rewarding to work with.I’ve used it mostly for jewelry molds, and the level of detail it picks up is impressive. You can really push the boundaries of your designs without worrying about surface flaws or odd bubbling, as long as you respect the prep. The grain is ultra-fine—400 mesh really delivers here—and it gives everything this clean, professional finish that doesn’t require endless post-cast cleanup.You definitely need to get your binder and water balance right. I had one batch early on that ran a bit wet and gave me trouble, but once I adjusted, it held shapes beautifully and released cleanly without collapsing. The reusability has also been solid—I’ve gotten several runs out of the same batch with no breakdown in performance.Great for anyone doing intricate metalwork, and honestly, it’s made me rethink some of the limitations I’d accepted in sand casting. Just don’t skip the prep—this stuff rewards precision.

The media could not be loaded. I was very pleased when this casting sand arrived, I had no idea what I was doing. Mixing it seemed trickier than I expected—the balance between the binder and water felt delicate, and my first attempt was a mess. The mixture was too wet and refused to hold its shape properly. But after some trial and error, adjusting the ratios and testing small batches, I finally started to get the hang of it.Once I nailed the consistency, I realized just how fine this 400 mesh sand truly was. The level of detail it captured in my molds was incredible—smooth surfaces, no bubbling, and crisp edges that made each piece look professional. Then came the real magic: pouring the molten metal. Seeing it flow into the mold and take shape was mesmerizing. It felt like I was uncovering a lost craft right here in my garage, transforming raw materials into something tangible and beautiful. Every mistake, adjustment, and success was part of the learning process, and with each pour, I was getting closer to mastering the art of metal casting.

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 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!

I got a bag of sand.

This was exactly what I was looking for, and worked precisely as described

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