Apr/100
DIY (sort of) Sandbags for Counterweight
Buying sandbags is probably the most boring thing next to manuals and paperclips. The worst part is buying online and paying for shipping, so I decided to buy them empty but realized that a heavy-duty sewing machine costs somewhere $200. And by heavy-duty materials I mean leather, denim, and of course cordura (what these sandbags are made from).
Here's my solution: Gorilla Glue ($8) and sand ($3) at Home Depot.
I bought a set of 5lbs Matthews sandbags a while back and they've been sitting around in my closet waiting to be filled and sewn. The beauty of these empty bags is that they left little opening to fill it with sand yourself, so 80% of the bag is sealed.
The little opening on the left, next to the flap.
After filling the bag, get your Gorilla Glue, moisten the area with water and apply the glue.
Moisten with water
Spread the glue around until it forms a thin layer. Remember, GG will foam so don't go too crazy.
Spread the glue until into a thin layer.
I prefer to wear gloves so I won't have to battle with the glue on my fingertips, but tuck the fabric underneath the flap and pinch. If the image is hard to understand, you can easily "deconstruct" how they folded on the sewn side.
Fold and pinch.
I sawed off an old clipboard back to serve as a base, but you can use any two pieces of hard surface to help hold the glue. The problem with GG is that it foams as it sets, and will naturally push the materials apart. It's very important to have something pinching and applying equal pressure. Let it set for 2 hours.
Extra pinching using two halves of a clipboard and A-clamps.
The bag is done and it passed my tossing-across-the-room test and dropped at various height with no bursting problem. The glue is tough but flexible enough so it doesn't just shatter and lose its integrity. The bits and pieces of glue that breaks internally will still hold onto the flaps.
5lbs of weight on a C-stand.
The truth is, I would've bough sandbags filled with sand if it wasn't constantly backordered, and I was lucky just to get the empty 5lb ones. The price difference for 5lb sandbags was small enough to just buy the filled ones, even if you consider shipping costs. But I have enough sand and glue leftover now to build a few more sandbags. I'm just hoping to get the 15lb bags next.
As usual, I make no warranty and I'm not responsible for personal injury or destruction to property.