sand versus shot in speaker stands

When I was a kid back in the dark ages, we all played freely with lead in all forms. I can remember having a kit of molds into which we poured melted lead to make toy soldiers, then painted them, probably with lead-based paint. Did we wash our hands after doing this? No. Would I recommend doing it today? No. Do I think there's any real danger using lead shot to fill speaker stands? No again.

Micro-fil steel bearings are smaller than human hair(I use them in my GPA rack). Lead is dangerous, but is nothing compared to Hydrazine.

Thanks for the oven idea. I left a few bags of sand out in the sun to dry out and it appears they're now infested with large spiders.

Spiders are not as good as sand, and certainly not as good as lead, when placed in stands or racks. However, spiders may offer some damping benefit when placed directly under equipment feet or under cones. The large spiders work best under amps or other heavy equipment. You can also use them as a "spider clamp" with top-loading CD players.

Remember, lead is hazardous. Do not, under any circumstances, eat, lick or kiss speaker stands that have been filled with lead. Regardless of how sexy the speakers on them are sounding this is hazardous to your health.

Better than lead, the suggestion above of using uranium "resonated" with me. Depleted uranium is a by-product of the military complexes activities, but the caliber munitions they use are too large for filling stands.

Does anyone have a source for depleted uranium #9 bird shot?