Sandustry Machine & Research Tier List
Machines and research nodes ranked by how much they move your factory forward. The Shaker is the heart of everything — everything else exists to feed it or cash out its byproducts.
S-Tier (Core)
Shaker
Process: Wet Sand → Gold + Slag
Category: Processing
The core machine. Run Wet Sand across a diagonal Shaker; about 20-25% falls out as Gold per pass while Slag continues downstream.
Conveyor Belt
Process: Moves dry items
Category: Logistics
Moves sand and items between machines. Keep lines unclogged or piles jam the belt.
Flux Emanator
Process: Voidbloom → Fluxite
Category: Processing
Only one per factory. Feed Voidbloom from above; Fluxite grows below for upgrade currency.
A-Tier (Strong)
Launcher
Process: Throws items across gaps
Category: Logistics
Flings items over cliffs and pits. Hold Shift while placing to skip an outlet.
Density Filter
Process: Sorts by density
Category: Sorting
Separates Sand, Wet Sand, Slag, RedSand, Lava, and Gold using density bands.
Pipe & Pump
Process: Moves water / steam / lava
Category: Fluid
Routes water, steam, and lava. Watch for floods and phase changes (ice melts, water boils).
Kinetic Slag Press
Process: Burnt Slag → extra Gold
Category: Processing
Squeezes extra Gold out of Burnt Slag — often your second-biggest income source.
B-Tier (Situational)
Digger Drone
Process: Relocates sand
Category: Automation
Automates sand and slag relocation when conveyors can't reach deep pits.
Hauler Drone
Process: Carries items
Category: Automation
Moves materials across vertical mines and gaps.
Planter Box
Process: Grows Flowers → Amethelis
Category: Farming
Grows Flowers that drop Amethelis petals for Voidbloom production.
Collector
Process: Picks up nearby items
Category: Utility
Auto-picks up Gold and items, cutting down manual hauling.
Thermal Buffer
Process: Stores heat
Category: Utility
Buffers heat for temperature-sensitive reactions.
The Meta: Refining 1 First
Refining 1 unlocks the Shaker, which turns Wet Sand into Gold and makes every other line possible. Logistics 1 follows to move materials automatically, then Filters and Pipes sort and route. Always unlock the Shaker line before spending Gold on tools or drones.