Hi Jon, A standard drill will not be able to take the load and will burn out quickly. Plus standard drills have very high rpm. What you need is a drill with high power (torque) but very low rpm. The lower the better like a cement mixer. Cement mixers run as lows 1-2 rpm whereas a standard drill runs at 1000+ rpm. You could use an external gear box to reduce the rpm (and that automatically also increases the torque). But quickly becomes complex. There are many youtube videos where people have just done that.

Hmm, good point. I have 2 drills, at least one has a lowish RPM option, but may not be low enough once you attach it to something as wide as a trash bin. Between bonsai and my other tactile hobbies, sifting does a number on my hands. I try to just do small amounts at a time, but there is always the spring rush.

You can try a reciprocating or a jig saw. I think it will work better than a rotary drill. Eg check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej-TdUBhQWE

I have thought of building something like that but never got around to it. It is a bit more complex but shaking would work better than rotating.

Al, That HDPE slide is a cool idea. Did not think of that use although I use the same material for table saw cross cut sled riding in the miter slot channels.

I had been using a strainer to sift turface - I think it doesn't provide enough surface area. I've also found a couple sources for scoria and pumice that are pre-sifted at a decent price, and they sell some blends with turface. I'll have to decide if I just buy pre-sifted material, especially as, while I also enjoy chores certain chores, my time is limited by work and having a first child on the way. With the pre-sifted stuff, what would probably really be helpful is one of the scoops with fine mesh that allows any remaining dust fall through.

I have friends that own American Bonsai in FL. They will have almost anything you need to make high quality media for just about anything you might want to take 'special care' of.

Click me, and I'll take you to a page that will allow you to review their premade media or their individual aggregates, the later for use as media components.

Al

Very cool - good prices and nice they offer adding some fertilizer. I wish each mix listed it's ingredients. I'm assuming the American #30 is a good choice - looks like calcined clay, scoria and pumice? Its a little more affordable than the 3.5 gallon bags some other places sell.

I sifted my own turface and got some pumice from General Pumice, which has good prices. I ordered some lava rock / scoria to make my own mix. When that runs out, I might try American Bonsai

Bought some tools from them at the Rochester Bonsai show in 2018. Very nice people and they have a nice selection of well made tools. I am pretty much stocked up for this season but definitely will consider them as a source in the future.

American #30 does look has good particle size range.