Sandustry WikiTools Guide
Match each unlock to the material problem it solves.
Researched 17 Aug 2026 · Official facts separated from community observationsTools are factory instruments: the Flamethrower, Vacuum, Cryoblaster and Grappling Hook solve distinct problems.
Tools are production equipment
The tool tree changes what materials you can move, heat or freeze. Choose a tool because it unlocks a reaction your factory needs, not because it is simply the next research node.
Flamethrower
Tools 1 unlocks the Flamethrower. The official page says it starts fires, burns Slag, melts Ice and boils Water into Steam. It cannot excavate pixels.
Before Lava is available, it is the documented way to turn Slag into Burnt Slag and a practical way to create Steam for renewable Water workflows.
- Captured Tools 1 cost: 250 Gold.
- Default range is around 10 tiles in the captured page.
- Fluxite upgrades can extend range.
Vacuum and Cryoblaster
Tools 2 unlocks the Vacuum for moving piles of Sand. Tools 3 unlocks the Cryoblaster, which freezes Water and solidifies Lava.
The Cryoblaster is the key tool in the Lava → Scoria → Cinder transport cycle and in Snow-based Water workflows.
- Vacuum: material repositioning.
- Cryoblaster: Water freezing and Lava solidification.
- Verify captured Gold costs after patches.
Grappling Hook and safe use
Tools 4 unlocks the Grappling Hook for movement. It solves navigation rather than processing, so prioritize it when exploration distance becomes the bottleneck.
Heat and freezing tools can alter factory materials unintentionally. Test away from the main line and keep Cinder away from accidental flame sources.
- Tools 1 unlocks Flamethrower.
- Tools 2 unlocks Vacuum; Tools 3 unlocks Cryoblaster.
- Flamethrower helps early Burnt Slag production.
Version boundary: Tool names and functions are official; exact costs and upgrade values are tied to the captured wiki revision.
Research behind this guide
This page was written from its own keyword material file. The sources below are not shared filler from another guide.
Tools Guide FAQ
Five practical answers covering setup, troubleshooting and version-sensitive decisions.
Which Sandustry tool should I unlock first?
Unlock the tool that solves the current material problem. The Flamethrower supplies heat, the Vacuum moves loose piles, the Cryoblaster freezes liquids and the Grappling Hook improves movement; owning a tool early does not help if its required situation has not appeared.
Can the Flamethrower excavate terrain?
No. Its role is heating, burning or melting compatible materials, including helping with early Burnt Slag production. Use an excavation method for terrain and keep the heat effect away from materials that should not ignite.
What is the Vacuum best used for?
Use the Vacuum to relocate loose material piles and clean controlled spills. It is a handling tool, not a substitute for proper containment; if the same pile returns every cycle, repair the factory geometry instead of scheduling permanent manual cleanup.
When should I use the Cryoblaster?
Use it when freezing Water or Lava creates a safer or transportable state. For Lava logistics it supports the Scoria and Cinder workflow; verify the destination and containment plan before freezing a source simply because the tool is available.
Why is the Grappling Hook included in a factory guide?
Movement affects how safely you inspect, repair and explore a physical-pixel factory. The Grappling Hook does not process materials, but it can improve access to tall structures and excavation routes where ordinary movement would slow diagnosis.