How to Build a Sand Sifter

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In this article I will explain how you can build a DIY Sand Sifter. You might ask yourself why on earth would I want to build one. What am I going to sift sand for.

Well, aside from the potential use for beach combing, or treasure hunting, the only reason I can think of that you will really want to build a sand sifter for would be for pre-screening sand for use in your sand blaster. Anyone who has used a sand blaster can tell you that it only takes one over sized little stone to make it's way into the nozzle and your stuck having to tear it all apart to get it out and unclogged. The solution is to use fine grains of sand. And the best way to get fine grains of sand is to screen it.

Now that you know why you've got to have one of these, lets get to it.

To build your own sand sifter your going to need the following materials.

2 - 5 Gallon Buckets w/lids
1 - piece of window screen

You will also find this easiest to do with the following tools.

1 - Drill
1 - Scroll Saw
1 - Rotary Cut Off Tool
1 - Utility Knife

Okay, here is what your going to do. 1 bucket will be completely modified, just take the lid off, wash it out and dry it. This will be the catch bucket for your clean sifted sand.

2 buckets

Next, take your other bucket remove the lid and clean it also. With a drill, make a 3/8" hole near the end of the lid, about an inch in from the edge. Take the lid and place it on your scroll saw with the blade through the hole. Using the scroll saw, cut away the inside of the lid, leaving just the outer ring that snaps on the bucket.

Place the piece of window screen over the bucket and snap the ring over it, drawing the screen tightly. Trim the excess screen from the outer edge using sissors or a utility knife. Next using the rotary cut-off tool cut the bucket about 3 inches below the ring where the handle is attached. Pictured below is what it will look like when you finish cutting and assembling.

Sand Sifter Insert

Next slide the 1/3 bucket with the screened lid into the other bucket. And your ready to go! Scoop some sand onto the screen and using the handle shake vigorously to and fro. The fine sand will fall through the screen leaving the pebbles behind. When the screen is full of pebbles, carefully slide the screened sleeve out of the other bucket and dump it out, slide it back into the bucket, and continue sifting.

Finished Sand Sifter

It only took about 15 minutes to build and it works very well. It was well worth it. And if desired the catch bucket can be converted into the hopper to feed your sandblaster. But that is a little bit different project.

Until Next Time
HAPPY SIFTING

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