Ballast and other uses

[cjp53]

I was looking at Woodland Scenics ballast and see that's its crushed walnuts.I saw they sell  Zilla crushed walnuts shells at a local pet store a 10qt bag for around $12.It's brown and I can live with that and was looking for something to add to my streambed bottom before I add the water.Seemed to me that one bag may be all I need for my layout.Anyone try this?It looks to be the same as the Woodland Scenics but less costly.

[wazzou]

I'm a real crushed rock fanboy, myself  Arizona Rock & Minerals, Scenic Express and Smith and Sons are popular.

[CRL]

Walnut shell ballast tends to “float” if the water isn’t “wet” enough due to not enough wetting agent being used. Rock dust is easier to wet out.

[cjp53]

For my river bed I would glue it down before adding my Mod Podge(water) as far a ballast for my track I did not want sand and saw that some use crushed limestone.So that's an option.I want to keep things as light as possible.I did not know that that the ballast used by Woodland scenics was crushed walnuts but the price is kind of high.Applying it as ballast I was going to spread glue then ballast and then some watered down glue with some dish soap added.I'm open to other ideas.This is my second layout but it's been 30 years since the last one.

[MK]

I use alcohol instead of dish soap.  Less frothy when I shake up the mixture though dish soap is cheaper.  Also alcohol evaporates faster.

[cjp53]

I contacted Smith and Sons who are in Chardon that's about 40 miles from me.I'm hoping I can go pick some ballast up from him.Anyone know what a gallon size container of fine ballast should cost?I still might get a bag of crushed walnut shells and use it as fallen rocks and stones at the base of my mountain.

[Chris333]

I know other people have bought direct from them. Guess it was just a shed out in the back yard. But I thought they retired.

[cjp53]

No still open sounds like the son runs it:$2.50 a pound going Saturday to pick it up