Any ideas on how to replicate a sand bag that has torn or rotted and the sand is running out or has run out?

I have found 1.25" x 1.25" Ziploc baggies and am thinking there must be a way to cut them in half, seal, then paint and then poke a hole in them.

Sound reasonable or is there a better way? I only need half a dozen or so...

Also, have any of you used Milliput to fabricate sandbags? The Tamiya ones are a bit too uniform for my tastes...

Here's a link to one method ... Making Sandbags from Milliput
And since you already have them, consider interspersing a few of the Tamiya sandbags with the putty versions — maybe hack them up a bit with a blade or Dremel Tool to create leakage. HTH.

—mike

after using milliput, i would use mig/ak pigments to replicate leaking sand - especially if you are setting the bags in OIF or OEF. the sand there is very fine and coats everything.

I've been letting my mind stew around this...

Step 1. take some 1.25" x 1.25" ZipLoc baggies, cut in half and hot melt edges together with a curling iron leaving one side open. Then fill each baggies with sand and seal.

Step 2. wrap sandbag in papertowel or tissue paper and size with white glue/water mix. Let dry.

Step 3. Paint to match other sand bags.

Step 4. Put in place and poke holes to let sand bag deflate with appropriate pile of sand below... just need to make sand bag pliable... maybe poke hole and drain some out before applying size water.

All criticism welcome... if you see a flaw in this logic, please let me know.

I always use modelling clay as it's a lot cheaper than Milliput for the same result. If you want to do split or ripped bags do it while the clay is still pliable. Once you've got the sandbag to the size that you want then use a scalpel blade to create your rip/ hole and peel back a very thin piece to show the ripped material. For half filled bags, same again, cut it to the desired size and flatten one end and then trim off the clay that spreads out to the sides. That way your sandbag is still the same size (not forgetting to make a gradient down the bag) but looks half empty. At the same time you can always have the empty part at an angle flat if you wish when you squash it with a finger, just remember to keep the dimensions the same as the other end. Obviously scatter sand around and on top of the other bags that's leaked out of the torn one. That's how I've made them in the past.

Thanks! I will try a variety of methods... including yours. Can you buy modeling clay at Michaels?

They used to have some at the one I used to go to but that has been some years ago.

Hi,

Another option Sand bags by Juweela

HTH

You could also try the ones offered by Thachweave. Very realistic

Thatchweave? thank you!

No Thachweave is definitely the right spelling. I ordered some cam nets from them a while ago. They include the scrim & come as summer or winter colouring.
I keep trying to get some of the sand bags myself but he's always OOS.

I really like the concept of this. What type of sand would you fill them with?

Maybe that malleable play sand that is very fine and will hold a shape until fixed with a clear matte

And problem solved! Thank you so much!

And remember just because it is called a sandbag, it will be filled with whatever is readily available in theatre, you are not going to ship sand to the front when you can simply fill it with earth.

Thanks, Tony... you are correct but since it is a beach, I think sand would be the filler...

Man, I love this place. Thachweave will eliminate reinventing the wheel! They have just the right amount for a good price!