Speaker Stands Filled With Kitty Litter? TRUE???

Your a good sport 3zub. Truth is the kitty litter probably would be fine, it's basically CLAY.

I have experimented with white (clean) sand, sand plus lead (80%/20% mix) and sand blast grade silica. Certainly kitty litter is cheaper and safer than lead, (provided the cat's not using it).

Of all my trials, silica worked best and what I am currently using in my custom aluminum stands (for TT and tape deck).

Silica can be purchased from commercial supply houses that serve the sandblast trade. Silica (for some reason) is not supposed to be sold to the general public but I had no problem buying a 60 pound bag.

i believe the reasons for the restrictions of the sale of Silica are due to the health hazards associated with breathing in the dust. i doubt if the amount you'd be exposed to in filling a speaker stand with it would put you at risk though.

Marco

Albertporter/Jax2-
Thank you for your responses and honesty. I also assumed that the sandblasting sand would be the best alternative fill material. Since I've heard the kitty litter mentioned enough times to question it... that was the reason for the thread. Thanks guys.

3zub - If you are looking for an inexpensive way to fill your stands with a dense filler you can purchase "Play Sand" from your favorite home improvement warehouse store, or nursery at about $4 per 50 lb bag. It is not quite as fine and dense as silica, but it is safe and cheap. It may be a bit more difficult to remove if the holes in your stands are smaller though. Silica sand is pretty expensive in comparison, but is definitely finer and more dense (your stands will weigh more filled with Silica than with Play Sand). Kitty Litter, IMO, would be the least desirable as it would leave a whole lot of airspace unfilled. Other, more expensive, alternatives are lead shot which can be purchased from some sporting supply stores, or any gun shop that handles reloading supplies. I believe Star Sound markets a lead powder, which would likely be the heaviest and most expensive of all your alternatives. If you handle lead just make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Same goes for Silica or if you decide to stuff your stands with cats. If you use Silica try to fill the stands outdoors and use a mask to filter out the dust from the air you are breathing. Even a foam painters mask would be an improvement over none. If you are using cats I'd suggest long gauntlet gloves and some of those foam earplugs.

Good luck!

Marco

Seriously... Sand would be the most economical route, however make sure the sand is 100% dry. Many play type sands are bagged and shipped moist after being exposed to rain. I would prop each bag in an upright position, and cut a slit in each bags top. Opening and allowing it to dry out in a non-humidity area for a few days prior to filling your rustable steel stands.

Lead shot, is not something you really want to play with. Lead dust is even worse! I heard horror stories of fellows that used lead to fill their stands in their listening rooms. Missing the stand, & spilling it all over the carpet. Lead is also non-magnetic, & using a vacuum would agitate the lead dust. I can send you a 16 page EPA brochure on what lead dust can do to a childs still developing mind. So if you have children I would strongly rule out the lead.

So let's talk about the Numero Uno Rule of filling a stand.

1.) No matter what filler is used, if possible due to stand weight, fill stands Outside or in your Garage in case of SPILLS!

A company called Atacama makes a product called "Atabites" which is a high density filler manufactured from steel chippings and designed for the mass loading of speaker stands. This a coarse mix of triangular shaped steel chippings which is a worthy investment to get the best out of the stand and producing better imagery and extra bass control at louder levels of volume. Atabites are available in 19.8lb pour bottles. It is also magnetic so if your funnel slips the Atabites are magnetic for a no loss clean-up. If you cant find Atacama Atabites dealer locally contact me.