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.

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

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?

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.

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

@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

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

? must be mu.

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.

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

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.

Just found these. I was looking at the ones from us plastics but I dont really need anything the size of a 5gal bucket. https://www.amazon.com/Brine-Shrimp-Direct-Combination-Sieve/dp/B079K4YQ85

@Snuffalufagis, these Hobby sieves look more convenient (height-wise; Hobby - 1.75" / 4 cm,  JBL - only 1.2" / 3 cm). Great find!

@volunge if you do order them let me know how they work out, as im not ready for sieves yet. Im still dialing in my homemade ball mill…

I will, mate! Please share a photo of your ball mill, when you finish assembling it.

@volunge I finally got a functional mill going. I broke down an bought a national geographic rock tumbler and fashioned my own barrel from 6" pvc and 2 temporary plugs, and sprayed with some rubberized plastidip paint for traction on the roller. Once filled with 100 chrome steel ball bearing ranging from 1/2" to 3/16" it preforms wonderfully, maybe to well. My first batch was around 20g of lamina from my own cigarette blend dried to crispy in the oven. It made a powder as fine as F&T HDT. Its going to have to go back in as I didnt alkalize or salt it for the test run but it has a very pleasant aroma after some toasting over a camp stove in a retired frying pan, not very strong and quite bitter in the throat. The blend was red and bright leaf flue cured Virginia, some maryland 209 burley, 2 different orientals, and a few cigar leaf scraps from a pipe blend thats currently maturing in the cellar.

@Snuffalufagis, good to hear this! I’m really tempted to give rock tumbler a go someday, too. How long does it take to mill 20 g of leaves?

I have just ordered that set of JBL Artemio 4 sieves, will let get back here when the parcel arrives.

In my humble experience, a single-base flour (opposite to blend of various tobaccos) makes nice snuff, too. While single variety usually makes a poor smoke and needs to be blended (there are some exceptions to this), it’s ok to use single variety for snuff. Worth making a small batch of each leaf varieties you got, following the one and same recipe of your choice. You’ll notice the differences and find out which varieties are best suited for snuff.

@Snuffalufagis, they are good.

1000 microns - haven’t tried this one yet, but it looks ok for snus flour.

600 microns is a tad finer than my old tea mesh strainer (which is probably 700-750 mics). Made a small coarse batch, looks good. Frankly, it doesn’t differ much from my tea strainer flour, but the Artemio one is easier to use (bigger).

300 microns - medium coarse grind. Some would call it coarse

150 - pretty much like a standard medium SP-type grind, maybe a little bit coarser. Made a small batch of snuff, very happy with the texture.

Both Hobby and JBL offer their finest sieves (120 and 150, respectively) separately. If you are not too fond of coarse grind and not interested in making snus, opt for a single 120 or 150 micron sieve.

120 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hobby-Brine-Shrimp-Artemia-Nauplii/dp/B000RRSIOQ
150 - https://www.jbl.de/en/products/detail/3368/jbl-artemio-3

Image upload failed, so here’s the link to the third party image hosting site:

https://ibb.co/zbPMJ49

Left: homemade with 16% moisture content, base flour sifted through 150 microns mesh.

Right: SG Irish D, pretty dry by now, probably 125 microns.

So, for a midrib (stem) toast and American dry scotch you would need 125-90 mics.

I got the sea monkey sieves they go (120,300,560,900) for snuff you can probably throw the two finest ones away, unless your ok with a sieve that yeilds about 1 gram per hour of shaking. I’m fairly certain the finest sieve does not have any holes in it, unless you have a scanning electron microscope I doubt u will see em’

Thank you for the recommendation, I will also purchase that set of sieves I have found on this Website for future homemade attempts.

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That is the set I have, they work, I may not ever have the patience for the finest screen. That manufacturer first sent me a sea monkey hatchery, then sent me the set of sieves I originally ordered, while telling me to keep the original hatchery. I already broke one or two sieves just by squeezing them to forcefully, but they reglue quite easily. That set of sieves are good for hobby/personal use, as they are not large enough to support any significant production capacity. I think I may have got them quite a bit cheaper than 14eur but that was long before these most recent waves of inflation here stateside. (O, now I see, the 14.99 includes shipping, sounds fair enough of a price)

I need to get or more likely make myself a set of large sieves, and pass these Hobby sieves on to a snuff maker.

Thanks for the insight. Yes they do seem small and built with low quality material, however it’s the different sizes that make it interesting. I had bought this very cheap set on Amazon to try but it’s really a long process to get snuff out with 200 or even 100 micron mesh. I’m guessing it needs to be between 40 and 80 for easier use. That’s why a multi set is nice to be able to try different sizes. Once the ideal size is found though, there’s some decently priced single size metal labotary sieves on Amazon that seem sturdy enough to do large quantities. Contrary to the sets of interchangeable lab sieves that costs around 40-50€ and seem to go up to 150€ for even higher quality.

Ps. I now realize that the kit is going to be too fine since it actually goes 120, 300, 560, 900. I’m back to searching.

Easier use, as easier / faster to sift the flour through the mesh? Hard NO, then. We are talking about 0.2 and 0.1 mm (200 mm vs 100 mm) vs 0.04 and 0.08 mm. The finer the mesh, the more time-consuming the sifting is.

It does take some time with a fine and small sieve (mill, sift, remill the coarse siftings, sift etc - it takes more than two passes), but not that much for a small, week’s worth batch, really, when you start with dry tobacco and use a no-nonsense electrical coffee blade grinder with 150-180 W motor (think €10-15).

For larger batches, larger diameter sieve is a must. It speeds up the sifting big time. Sure thing, it can be used for microbatching, too.

A gentle knock to plate or table top every once in a while during sifting noticeably speeds up things. If you are haven’t been doing it, do try - this little trick is a game changer.

Hey, it is not too fine, by any means! 900 micron (0.9 mm) mesh is actually even too coarse for snus, and 560 micron (0.56 mm) you might find too coarse for nose, if you are not used to the extra coarse neftobak- or gwayi-like grind. 120 micron (0.12 mm) is great for the SP-type base (the most popular base type of English snuff, constituting abou 3/4 of all English nasal offerings, mind). 300 micron (0.3 mm) sieve will give you SG KB-coarse flour. Or medium-to-coarse, if you will.

You might be confusing microns with US mesh sizes.

Thanks @volunge The 100 and 200 mesh that I have are probably US because what they allow through are dust particles. I saw the dust flying around as I was trying to sift. Yes I’m definitely confused by the terms used by vendors for mesh and I’m lost. I’m going to stick to mm, however for the sea monkey set it doesn’t specify in mm which again confuses me. Thanks again for the clarification.

That chart lifts the fog of confusion and I am grateful. Complete opposites of measurement methodology.

The Hobby set is not too fine really, for use making personal snuff. The mesh size is just slow at that diameter, but not an issue if your making personal snuff. you can get the powder through the finest one a lot quicker than you can get all of it into your nose.