Quick Question; Mesh Size?

Does anyone know what mesh size in microns I should use to sieve tobacco? I’ve decided to splurge on a proper stainless steel mesh screen rather than mess around with pantyhose. I’m after an average, middle of the road SP type grain size, not too coarse.

@doctorbeat Do you have a source for stainless Steel mesh screens ? I’m interested in getting a few.

Yup, there’s a guy on ebay who sells them for processing cannabis, but they would be ideal for snuff if mounted in a high-walled frame. I used the search words “micron” and “screen”. He sells various sizes, so I want to know which one I should get.

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Not sure what you are looking at paying for these, but screen printing screens are quite affordable and work great for fine sifting. A range of mesh seizes should be able to find something that would suit you.

“All Latakia types are sieved over 250 mu. However when moist, it tends to clump a little. The Virginia types are sieved over 400 mu, with the exeption of the Mettaijer and Gingerbread. These are sieved over 250 mu. Because the Virginia types are stamped, prolonged stamping can lead to a larger portion of finer particles. This holds also for the all the fermented Virginia types. The samples of St. Omer No. 1 I sent were sieved over 400 mu.” Jaap Bes - See more at: http://snuffhouse.org/discussion/comment/235732/#Comment\_235732

@nosemud: I did initially look at screen printing screens, but I decided that I wanted something durable and long lasting, plus these screens are sold to micron accuracy. They are only about $6 for a 6"x6" piece too, so cost is negligible. @juxtaposer: I saw that thread, in fact it was the only reference I could find that was any use. Trouble is, from what I can gather, those Latakia snuffs (the 250 mu ones) appear to have a rather coarse grind according to reviewers. I need something approaching the grind size of WoS SP-100 (my ‘reference snuff’ for grind size). Maybe 150 or even 100mu?

I just measured a dried-out sample of SP-100 using a loupe and a ruler. Not the most accurate method, but it sufficed to show that there is no way the particles are anything approaching 0.25mm (250mu) in size. This means that I definitely need a finer mesh for the grind that I’m trying to achieve. I’m thinking somewhere around 0.1mm (100mu) will be about right. Of course, this is based on the fact that I intend to sift my snuff while it is dry, which means the grains will not be swollen with moisture at the time of sifting.

@doctorbeat‌ Here’s link to some good, cheap poly strainers. Shipping is high, but you could get 100 and 200 micron sizes for just about any size snuff. 400 micron would put you into rappee territory and 600 sounds like Copenhagen FC http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24071&catid=0&clickid=popcorn

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Good find Chefdaniel, that is a good size strainer for the price, the Mining sieves are just too much $.

The stainless one I bought on ebay works great. I built a frame for it out of PVC pipe, and I made the rim quite tall (~3" or so) so that I don’t get any spillage. A 6"x6" piece of mesh cost $6 including shipping. The only problem is that I bought the 250 micron version, and it’s a little too fine. It’s perfect for toasts, (about the same as F&T HDT, and it ‘balls up’ just like HDT too) but not for the medium grind that I was hoping to achieve. I think I need something in the region of a 400-450 micron. I really must order one while I’m thinking about it…

any update on this?
what would be mesh size of something like Toque?

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I would stake on 150-100 microns (0.15-0.1 mm) for most SPs. Not sure, just a guess. Try measuring the size of particles. If you are familiar with finer Molens snuffs, they were 250 microns (0.25 mm). Most SPs, with the exception of GH SP and most of the discontinued SG SP-type snuffs, are finer.

My tea strainer dials at 400-500 (0.4-0.5 mm). Extra coarse, just like neftobak.

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My tea strainer is about 0,9mm and it’s hard to keep the snuff in the nose lol.
Found a used 0,125mm, guess I will try this. those things are expensive where I live since they are only made for labs

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@faktiheiny, some cheapo (mesh only, without frame): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Woven-Wire-Mesh-Sheet-15cm-and-30cm-square-Fine-Screen-Heavy-Duty-Coarse/261836344201?hash=item3cf6a98b89:m:m9J9fUQ8Wvv1jaJ8qyr4Apw (shipped from the UK).

Chinese lab sieves are pretty affordable: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-200-Mesh-2-0-074mm-Aperture-Stainless-Steel-Lab-Standard-Test-Sieve-10-20cm/352132316715?hash=item51fcb8be2b:m:mkoeBAewW3l2hUt9IrnFU1Q

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I used sieves of 400 ? and 200 ? for resp. coarse and fine snuffs.

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? must be mu.

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I use mostly 400 micron but do take some down to 200 microns.
The link posted above to “US Plastic” is where I got mine.

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got my 125. it’s quite some work to pass all the powder through it. I would prefer a little higher mash size. I would say it’s a good size for when you like very fine grind, but I say that it is a size which you would want to buy as a second or 3rd “professional” sieve. This is the first I bought so I kind of regret it. but I might change my opinion in the future

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While on search for cheap locally available sieves, I stumbled upon this set of artemia sieves - 150, 300, 600 and 1000 mu (7 EUR). 1000 probably could be used for making rappee or even snus, 600 - for extra coarse snuff (like Neftobak). These sieves are small, they match the size of the tea strainer I currently use for my micro batches. Definitely a no-go for making large amounts, but should be fine for up to 50 g runs. I’ll order this set next month and shed more light on them later on.

JBL Artemia filters

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