Make your own $3.00 Sandbags

There's no need to pay ridiculous prices for sandbags when you can very easily make your own. The local dollar discount store is your best friend when looking for the main ingredients to this useful DIY project.
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[@gabesennheiser]

dude you were holding the sand bag and i was like " come on show us the DIY bag not some production bag." totally blew my mind looks exactly like any sand bag i saw when working lighting and sound when i was in school.

[@VideoRevealed]

I read your comment to my wife and it made her smile. She really should get the credit for the professional sewing job.

[@TraumaER1987]

Made my life so much easier. DollarTree near me didn't have the nice courier bags anymore, but they did have some kids backpacks. Which bonus have nylon straps on them so I can snip them off and use them for the handles!

[@VideoRevealed]

That is awesome!

[@cherylgerken1414]

So sorry I didn’t see this until after I posted. Great minds think alike.

[@cherylgerken1414]

How about a 10# bag for $1.25? Not quite as waterproof/washable as yours but it works for my tent in the windswept prairies of Nebraska! I realize this video is 8 years old, but was exactly what I needed to see. I was searching the 5 Quarters ( formerly Dollar Tree😉) store and happened upon these 11”x11 ” nylon backpacks with zipper and web straps. I cut the straps off and made double handles for my sandbags following your video. I did take the time to turn them wrong side out and reinforced the seams with my sewing machine. So perfect! Thank you. 🥰

[@i65Design]

One of the best explained DIY on making sandbags I've seen. Excellent points. I will perusing your list of tips very soon. Kudos!

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks. I just read your comment to my wife, who was the real brains behind this one and she really appreciates it.

[@blazegelcreations]

Dog leash from the dollar store is the same handle material. Also the ratchet tie down straps.

[@samuelklassen6837]

Just made 10 of these. Even with my bad sewing skills these things look super great. I'm really happy with the way they look and feel. Thank you so much for the great idea!

[@VideoRevealed]

That's awesome to hear! My wife Patti is really the one you should thank as she came up with this method. She's thrilled to hear that you went to all that trouble to make them, but you saved a bundle of money doing it yourself.

[@samuelklassen6837]

Thank you Patti! By the way my sister came home after I made them and she thought that I went out and bought them. These DIY sand bags are definitely the best I've seen.

[@VideoRevealed]

I just told Patti and it made her day. Thanks!

[@blazegelcreations]

Love this so much. A loop at the ends of the handle towards the middle would allow tie straps for securing if needed. Or even extend with a slight overlap and add velcro to the loose ends

[@blazegelcreations]

Silver sharpies are the best. They dont come off as easily as other colours. You can also go over silver with a colour as long as you're quick about it

[@nuckinfuts5481]

Just a recommendation... I'd sew the handle perpendicular to the fold of the bag as it is a huge help when removing heavy bags from stands. The bags will pinch the stands when sewn as in this video (when lifting off the stand); sewing the strap perpendicular to the fold will eliminate the pinching.

[@VideoRevealed]

Wow, that's a great idea! Thanks.

[@EarlNCox1]

Thanks very helpful. Definitely headed to the dollar tree tomorrow to look for thes bags.

[@mihaeyamamoto3628]

This is exactly what I was looking for. So glad to find it.

[@VideoRevealed]

Awesome.

[@cassandraperez5049]

Love this keep coming up with dollar hacks! Wish I saw this before I bought mine off Amazon first $25!

[@ivyprofen4204]

Thank you so much for this! I’m gonna use this idea for my agility tunnel saddle bags! Same concept just different use!

[@VideoRevealed]

That's great to hear. Good luck.

[@sandrawhite3618]

Many thanks to you and your wife, this is just the pro-looking, well-planned, discrete solution we were looking for. Merci beaucoup!

[@VideoRevealed]

Awesome and good luck.

[@dianethames9913]

Thanks so much for one of the best and most helpful videos I've ever watched. Simply presented by wonderful presenter and great tips!

[@VideoRevealed]

Wow, thank you!

[@BSOFireEMSGIS]

Awesome! Thanks for the great visuals!

[@VideoRevealed]

You're welcome.

[@TheAudioDabbler]

great video. About to film a cooking video and going to utilize my boom mic stands as a make-shift overhead rig. These sandbags are going to be the star of the show. Thanks again.

[@VideoRevealed]

Absolutely these bags are great for safety when putting together a system like that. I've done the exact same thing!

[@sallyhill3807]

thanks - I am making some now to use to hold down my patio table.

[@VideoRevealed]

That's a fantastic use for them. Thanks for watching.

[@eshuorishas9987]

Great video. I will add after searching around for awhile for this idea, I did also read that Airsoft BBs or cheap dollar store plastic beads are great too as they are both waterproof.

[@VideoRevealed]

That's a great idea.

[@michellegallina5364]

This is awesome! Thanks for the tip!

[@VideoRevealed]

+Michelle Gallina - Glad you liked it!

[@emmabanner516]

This is the BEST. THANK YOU!! 😄

[@VideoRevealed]

You're welcome!

[@robertwest4299]

I will be making mine for rifle rests but still just as helpful. Thanks.

[@VideoRevealed]

Yes, that's another great use for them.

[@rhyscat]

Wow this was super helpful, thanks!

[@VideoRevealed]

+Rhys Williams - Awesome, thanks.

[@kimibrowne4440]

Thanks for sharing this tip!

[@tiffanyneedsahobby5632]

This was incredibly helpful and pleasant to watch!

[@VideoRevealed]

That's wonderful. I'll let my wife know.

[@karencloskey7147]

This guy is a genius

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks but I have to thank my wife for this tutorial.

[@djreeseonair]

Amazing video, thanks for sharing with us!!

[@VideoRevealed]

+Maurice Wormely - You're welcome.

[@raquelbarba8139]

I am tickled to have found your video. Thanks for this great money saving tip!!!

[@VideoRevealed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markharris5771]

I’m going to see they sell those bags at the Poundlands we have in the U.K., I already go there for photographic props. Then off to the cobblers next door to where I work, I could offer him an environmental portrait in exchange because my studio is a room where I work. Brilliant video, even appreciated the silver Sharpie hint.

[@VideoRevealed]

Awesome! Glad you liked it.

[@janasalame3350]

Thanks for this!

[@VideoRevealed]

My pleasure!

[@JoseContreras-ok1yz]

Great idea, thanks!

[@VideoRevealed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mefourb]

Thanks! Excellent and helpful video.

[@VideoRevealed]

I'll tell my wife!

[@tedk2814]

great idea, just what I needed. Thanks......

[@VideoRevealed]

You're welcome.

[@LaloFlores]

I use the same sharpies to mark all my power adapters also!

[@VideoRevealed]

+Lalo Flores - Yes it's a great idea I just wish I did it years ago because I have a box of old adapters that I have no idea what they're for.

[@LaloFlores]

+VideoRevealed exactly.

[@samariagraham4502]

Love this! Thank you.

[@VideoRevealed]

You're welcome.

[@debeeldfabriek]

From Belgium: TNX! Great videos

[@VideoRevealed]

+franswa Vergucht - Thanks, glad you liked it.

[@janicebutler442]

Thank you, def going to make these for my light stands. 3.00 vs 30.00 no brainer !!

[@VideoRevealed]

I use them all the time and they still look brand new!

[@waterboy8999]

Great tutorial! Thank you. I need some of these little dudes. Greetings from Scotland

[@VideoRevealed]

Those little guys are so useful. And so is my wife the seamstress! Hello from Canada. (near Fergus, Ontario where they hold annual Highland Games!)

[@stonybrooktileandrugcleani6763]

Thanks ❤

[@super0chick]

Awesome. Thank u

[@VideoRevealed]

You're welcome.

[@AryMir]

Great DYI idea!

[@VideoRevealed]

You should try it!

[@MusicLover-op1fi]

I love how he explaines it ..but how do u attach them ?

[@VideoRevealed]

By "them" do you mean the straps to the bags? You have to sew them. If you mean how to attach the whole bag, that's different depending on what you're attaching it to. For holding things on the floor, you just drop them on top of the leg of a stand or for balance, you hang them at the other end of a pole on a c-stand.

[@ameliaacevedo-kelly3311]

great tips and very creative I will try thank you

[@VideoRevealed]

You're welcome.

[@adamidolls6900]

Omg the captions at 1:43

[@VideoRevealed]

WHAT? Oh man, Google made a huge mistake with that one. I wonder if it can be corrected??

[@jcsteck1]

thank you so much! I'm about to build mine.

[@VideoRevealed]

Cool! Good luck.

[@RawloftheDead]

great tip will get to work on mine

[@VideoRevealed]

Great! I use mine all the time.

[@SamuelPineault]

Thanks man great job you're awesome!!!

[@VideoRevealed]

You're welcome.

[@pip6602]

FANTASTIC IDEA!!!!! Could I use the rocks from the Dollar Tree instead of sand?

[@VideoRevealed]

You could but the sharp edges will tear the fabric.

[@pip6602]

@@VideoRevealed Good point. (no pun intended) Thank you for the advice.

[@Ab888ab]

Is there a reason that I need a zipper on my sand bags? Because if there’s not a reason to have it, I can use a gym drawstring bag, laundry bag, or garment storage bag and just sew the sand inside permanently.

[@karencloskey7147]

How do you get the critters out of the beach sand? Pasta colander?

[@VideoRevealed]

Just buy sand from Home Depot or a hardware/builder supply store. It's much cheaper that you think and clean.

[@OZBanglaKitchen]

Wonderful. Thanks a lot.

[@VideoRevealed]

You're welcome.

[@nadinehouser3223]

Brilliant!

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks.

[@UjamesH]

Clever !

[@JelscreationsNmore]

How do you attach them to what your holding down

[@craigieb]

Generally, you just drape them over the leg of the light stand, c-stand, etc. (like a saddle bag). Just make sure the bags don't touch the ground...as long as the bag is suspended by the leg, you're good.

[@ckdstyle_bags]

How do you attach/secure these to the tent?

[@VideoRevealed]

Not sure what tent that is? Once you create the bag, its weight is what secures it to anything.

[@monarchbutterfly6274]

good job man

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks.

[@anamarin6475]

im making 8, 2 sets on eact canopy leg, hmm hey thats 8 dollars compared to 20 for only 4 sets, sand os free at the beach love this

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks for watching.

[@now22207]

Thanks a bunch from this Adobe member. You're a genius. I'm gonna sew several for my Sirui mono-Tripod, and my light stands. #backtovideoediting

[@VideoRevealed]

Awesome! And thanks to my wife Patti for this too.

[@lanceplayz2572]

Nice idea 👍.But bad thing there is no any dollar store in my area......

[@VideoRevealed]

Look for any inexpensive vinyl or water resistant material.

[@raquelbarba8139]

Check Walmart. Might not be a buck,25 but still affordable enough.

[@raquelbarba8139]

Walmart should have something for just a few more cents.

[@ozayrisaac]

Awesome, thanks for sharing! :-)

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks.

[@chrisspangler2440]

What is the size of the black bag you found at the dollar store?

[@VideoRevealed]

Approximately 12" X 10"

[@chrisspangler2440]

@@VideoRevealed Thank you!

[@julsjayfotos]

almost a 10 dollar bag really :) bag, plus the handle piece plus sand :) But true. one can make your own. I have tons of fabric and I can actually work the sewing machine and I live by a beach. Easy peasy

[@VideoRevealed]

It really was $3 each including everything.

[@julsjayfotos]

@@VideoRevealed Than my calculations were off :) sorry! Over all thanks for the tutorial!!

[@tonysolomonscores5578]

I can not find those bags...if you have a link it would be amazing like you and your bride!

[@VideoRevealed]

The dollar stores change inventory so quickly that there is no way to link to a product. Sorry.

[@allmal07]

Which dollar store were you able to find these bags at? I have not been able to find them at my local Dollar Tree or 99 Cents Only Stores. Thanks! And great video!

[@VideoRevealed]

I'm in Canada and found it at the Dollar Store.

[@TonyGude]

Thank you for posting this tut! Where do you purchase bags like that?

[@VideoRevealed]

If you're not making your own, then you can buy them here: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Sandbags-Weight-Bags/ci/1373/N/4062040365?origSearch=sandbags

[@TonyGude]

VideoRevealed no I mean the actual bags you're using.

[@VideoRevealed]

They are vinyl portfolios, not bags. I bought them at the dollar store here in Canada. Just try to find something similar, like a pouch or something.

[@legendp2011]

nice tutorial. although I can buy 4 sandbags online for $20 ($5 each) so not sure if it's needed

[@VideoRevealed]

That's an amazing prize for commercial sandbags.

[@legendp2011]

+VideoRevealed .......not sure how "commercial" you could call them (still have to get your own sand). but bought them on ebay and they work. dual zipper and everything (granted I have had to patch up about half of the ones I've bought with gaffer tape over the past 2 years)

[@thrillhouse_vanhouten]

Awesome!

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks

[@AminahMosley]

Awesome

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks.

[@MrJimboPA]

Hi! Great video! I tried looking at my local dollar stores but could not find these courier/portfolio bags for the life of me. What section are they located? I was looking in the office supply and bag sections but no luck! Argh. Help!

[@VideoRevealed]

I found mine in the office/stationary section.

[@johnwalters7415]

What part of the store were they located

[@VideoRevealed]

Stationary.

[@mikeerbe8784]

Wish I could find a dollar store around me that have these for $1.25. Not even 5 below has them. Closest thing is a back pack

[@VideoRevealed]

Sorry for that.

[@chazM6116]

Can you give the measurements of the bags, please

[@VideoRevealed]

The vinyl portfolios I used from the Dollar Store are 15 inches X 10 inches. If you were using material instead, then that would have to be folder over so you'd need 15 inches X 20 inches.

[@chazM6116]

How heavy is the bag when full?

[@VideoRevealed]

Approximately 10 pounds.

[@chazM6116]

OK thanks, have you tried this on a boom?

[@VideoRevealed]

Yep, works as well as any other sandbag.

[@thelegenddaudryadipi7038]

I Love It

[@VideoRevealed]

Great!

[@onikin]

Cool. Altho canopy tent weight bags are only ~$2.50 each now, handle 80lbs+, and have a much heavier duty fabric and closure. This isn't worth the time and effort unless you need a custom, small size sandbag. I can imagine using pencil cases and the like for specific uses.

[@VideoRevealed]

That's fantastic. I didn't have that option when I made these. Do you have a link that you can post?

[@motzofilms]

dope

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks.

[@ronrowefc]

No wayyyyy

[@VideoRevealed]

😀

[@juanpalmas1549]

Cool

[@VideoRevealed]

Thanks.

[@theportraitist4888]

Amazon has plenty of brands offering 4-bags sets for under $20. So you don't need a wife to sew them together for you. You can release her from your sandbag sweatshop now. ;-)

[@VideoRevealed]

Ha, ha. Yes, it seems that there have been many new products released since I produced this tutorial. I'm still using all my bags though.

[@theportraitist4888]

@@VideoRevealed yes the photo and video industry has changed with all of the newer companies bringing in reasonably good quality products at much lower prices. So many of the do-it-yourselfers are out of biz.

[@DevonBuse]

I just called 4 dollar stores, none had the bags. I will continue to call other stores. Hmmm...

[@VideoRevealed]

Sorry you can't find it.

[@SHOOTER3258]

who's here for searching how to fill shooting bags 😄

[@VideoRevealed]

Nice.

[@wernerfoerster3666]

Can you sew this??? Sure that will be $20... defeated the purpose

[@VideoRevealed]

Sorry you didn't find it useful.

[@carbonarrow7]

It's so easy a caveman can do it..........

[@VideoRevealed]

You got it! 😄

[@chazM6116]

$1.25 from a Doller store? lol

[@VideoRevealed]

I know, it's funny isn't it.

[@joeydubbs763]

Great idea bud.

[@VideoRevealed]

Glad you liked it.