Sandbags
 

Hi All,

In the past I've used Matthews sandbags on C-Stands for weight. I'm in the market for something to do the same job; and to be honest I really did not enjoy hauling the bags around and cost is (now) an issue.

The stands are generally are holding flags (with arms) or lights. We're talking 120" stands, 40" arms.

What are folks using for this? Any specific product of DIY recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
-Matt

If you want to make your own and have a friend with a heavy duty sewing machine they can be stitched up out of vinyl and filled with sand. Or you could try a local upholsterer or sail maker to stitch them up out of offcuts of a material that has a very tight weave preventing the sand from escaping. We are fortunate here as we have both white and black sand beaches. Black sand (iron sand) is great has it has a greater weight and less bulk.

Hey Matt,

One head of engineering bought us some bags that could be filled with water instead of sand. Water is usually easier to obtain than raiding a local
kindergarten's school sand box. Sorry I don't know the manufacturer but a google search may be of some help.

Steph

Stephanie hit on a great idea. (Hi Steph! How are you? Meet you on another forum)
Why not get a load of hot water bottles? They're cheap as. Tie them together. You can transport them empty, light and convenient, then fill them on site. Unless you're shooting in a desert, in that case fill 'em with sand.

To look more professional you could stitch them into twin pouches hinged in the middle with a handle, with the openings easily accesable. Then, at the end of the shoot empty them and carry the whole jolly lot home under one arm instead of lugging heaps of heavy bags about all the time. Think I'll try it.

I know a guy who uses lead shot obtained from local sporting goods store. It doesn't leak like sand or water and his bags are pretty small, though not light.

Old trick from my theatre days.

Old Blue Jeans. Cut off the legs, stich up one end, pour in filler halfway (Sand, Lead Shot, Cat Litter, whatver you got) Stitch across, fill other half of leg, stitch up. (you can get two good sized bags out of one leg... well, I can and I'm six feet four)

Get fancy and stitch a 'handle' of old belt across the center seam.

Good to go.

On my last location gig I used zippered pillow cases (bought at target) and put full soda cans in them.

Thanks all, for some great ideas!

I like the water-fill idea, but guess I'd be nervous with all the lighting power cables running around the bags...

Looks like I'll be rummaging through the closets for old blue jeans.

Cheers!

-Matt

Matthews and I think Norms make sandbags that have double zippers. That way you can pack the bags in your kit and when you arrive on location, you can procure the fill of your choice.

Lowel makes a large plastic jug that holds water, with a hook to clip onto the riser of your stand.

And if you're worried about sand leakage throw a box of 1 & 2 gallon ziplock bags in your kit...

Dan's book has step by step procedures for sewing your own bags and ebay seller Amvona sells them for pretty cheap.

B&H sells Bogen saddle bags with handle even cheaper.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

I have been using these for a little over two years with no problems.

http://home.att.net/~alexwlau/DreamMaker/Sandbags.htm

In fact I have a dozen more to fill.
You can bid on them on ebaY look up dreammaker2

Mr. Bill