Hi Jim,
Do you know a good place to buy sand bags? Here in Florida there is plenty of sand, but I need to buy some sand bags to put it in. Thanks. Joe
JWR Replies: In the U.S. there are several good sources, but prices vary widely, so shop around. (From as much as $3.75 each in small quantities to as little as 38 cents each if you buy in lots of 1000.) For example, see:
http://www.1starmy.com/products.asp?subCategory=490&parentCategory=486
http://www2.rangersurplus.com/long.asp?tgs=5144548:8550080&cart_id=&item_id=2290
http://www.preparedness.com/floodprotsan.html (The lowest price I’ve found on small quantities–around $1.80 each.)
If you want to buy in quantity (perhaps a group purchase that you can split several ways), it is best to order direct from a manufacturer, such as http://daybag.com/industrial/sand_bags.html , or http://www.mutualindustries.com/html/sand.html , or http://www.unitedbags.com/c-6-sandbags.aspx (The latter currently charges $380 per thousand)
And for our readers across the pond, here is a source in England: http://www.surplusandadventure.com/ishop/800/shopscr1462.html
OBTW, be sure to buy the later variety synthetic (such as polypropylene) sand bags. The early burlap (or “Hessian”) ones tend to rot and rip out too quickly. The latest and greatest mil-spec bags use Linear Low-Density PolyEthylene (LLDPE) or Polyethylene film laminated with a third layer of molten polyethylene. These have the best UV protection (and hence the longest useful life out in the elements), but are the most expensive. Even the standard military polypropylene bags will last two to three years in full sun, and much longer if painted or kept in the shade.