Direct answer
The current machine is the Shaker, not a Sifter. It processes Wet Sand into Residue and has a one-quarter chance to produce Gold. The official page recommends a downward diagonal staircase so slow-moving Residue can leave instead of burying the useful output.
Field note
Feed Wet Sand at a readable depth
Provide Wet Sand without covering the whole machine in a deep mixed layer. A controlled feed makes it easier to see whether processing is happening and whether the output side is full.
Keep Water handling upstream. The Shaker should receive the intended Wet Sand rather than act as the place where an uncontrolled mixture is diagnosed.
Field note
Use the descending staircase
Arrange Shakers in a downward diagonal pattern so Residue has a gravity-assisted path away from each stage. Preserve access around the steps instead of sealing the staircase inside a full material chamber.
Test the path with a limited input and observe both common Residue and occasional Gold.
Field note
Separate output and clear overflow
Gold is the lower-frequency useful output; Residue is the continuous output that most often creates capacity pressure. Give each a clear destination and inspect Residue backup first when the line slows.
If an old guide mentions Slag, translate the concept to the current Residue terminology before applying any layout advice.
Limits and update triggers
What this page does not claim
- Sifter is treated as a search alias; Shaker is the current official building name.
- The one-quarter Gold chance and output terminology require refresh after balance updates.
Source ledger
Sources checked for this guide
- Official Shaker pageofficial fact
- Sandustry official wiki indexofficial fact
- Community Shaker layout coveragethird party guidance
Research checked 2026-08-16. Time-sensitive claims require another check before public release.