Suppliers of unhardened steel balls

[Dr.Al]

A few years ago I bought some unhardened steel balls on ebay & have been using them for the end of handles (after either drilling, or drilling & tapping a hole in them).

I haven't got many left so I'm hoping to buy a load more, but I've been really struggling to find the unhardened variety. The supplier I bought them from last time doesn't seem to exist anymore

Does anyone know a supplier who sells unhardened mild steel (not stainless) balls? I'd prefer 12 mm diameter but I'd grudgingly accept 1/2" if there really is no other option.

 

[earthman]

Sorry, I can't help but would like to know of a supplier too because last time I had to get my brick forge going to soften an hardened one.

 

[fizzy]

Atlas ball and bearing!
http://www.atlasball.co.uk/FrontPage.htm
Nice to see they are still going - I last used them in 1989
They used to supply us with unhardened balls - hopefully they still can.

 

[Brad93]

FH Brundle

Bit rough compared to the above though.

 

[fizzy]

When I was 18 my brother invented an almost unbreakable computer joystick. Got it into production - even selling to Harrods and Hamleys etc. Had a big order from Sears in the USA - our local bank refused to fund us to up production - the area manager said "computer games are just a fad the craze will die out". We already had the moulds and tooling! We used the ball as the centre bearing - I designed a drilling jig and pressed a shaft through the middle.
I often wonder where we would be now if we hadn't been living in a backwater with short sighted people. One of our partners was UBI Soft - look where they are now.
http://live.worldofspectrum.org/infoseek/magazines/computer--video-games/95#12

It was this joystick that gave me the love of machines. I had to go out and buy a Hobbymat lathe to make prototypes as none of the engineering companies knew what I was on about.
They also said you won't get many components for less than a £1 - that was back in the late 80s. I would love to show them pound shops now!

Our joysticks still come up for sale from time to time
https://www.lemon64.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40302&sid=bc76b39c2c821fe72df1c6eae74432f7

 

[Brad93]

If you have to buy a large amount maybe offer a group buy.

 

[Parm]

A few years ago I bought some unhardened steel balls on ebay & have been using them for the end of handles (after either drilling, or drilling & tapping a hole in them).

I haven't got many left so I'm hoping to buy a load more, but I've been really struggling to find the unhardened variety. The supplier I bought them from last time doesn't seem to exist anymore

Does anyone know a supplier who sells unhardened mild steel (not stainless) balls? I'd prefer 12 mm diameter but I'd grudgingly accept 1/2" if there really is no other option.

I’m interested to see some pics (if you don’t mind) of what you’ve done with the balls on handles.

 

[fizzy]

Back in 1989 i had to trawl through trade catalogues in the library to find a supplier. How things have changed

 

[Dr.Al]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll send atlas an email and see what they say

 

[Parm]

Back in 1989 i had to trawl through trade catalogues in the library to find a supplier. How things have changed

I remember, having the bundle of RS catalogs was special. At the last place, you had to be the big cheese to have a set

 

[Newlands]

I’m interested to see some pics (if you don’t mind) of what you’ve done with the balls on handles.

Here ya go..
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/clarke-6x4-bandsaw-restoration.97003/page-6#post-1484683
(The doc’s probably too busy to respond!)

 

[Parm]

Here ya go..
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/clarke-6x4-bandsaw-restoration.97003/page-6#post-1484683
(The doc’s probably too busy to respond!)

thanks @Newlands

they look well neat

nice job doc

 

[Dr.Al]

Here ya go..
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/clarke-6x4-bandsaw-restoration.97003/page-6#post-1484683
(The doc’s probably too busy to respond!)

Not too busy, just completely missed @Parm's post. Thanks for posting the link!

 

[Parm]

Not too busy, just completely missed @Parm's post. Thanks for posting the link!

now I understand, you’ve done a cracking job there. Will be copying your idea on one or two things.

thanks

 

[Dr.Al]

I've had a reply from Atlas. They're quoting £8 for 200 12 mm balls plus £9 delivery. 200 should last me for many, many years but it seemed worthwhile just getting them all in one go.

I presume these prices are excluding VAT, so add 20% on top. Shame about the high delivery cost, but by my calculations 200 12 mm balls will weigh about 11.5 kg, so it's not that surprising.

I guess this is unlikely, but if there's anyone in the Gloucestershire area who would like any of these balls (and can collect their portion from me), I'm happy to increase the order quantity and share the delivery cost. If so, let me know ASAP. I'll probably place the order tomorrow.

 

[tom 748]

dc iron

 

[Dr.Al]

dc iron

AC aluminium

Sorry, couldn't resist...

But seriously, I had a look on their website and can't see any obvious 12 mm steel balls. Is this something you know they sell?

 

[tom 748]

if you give them a call they will tell you

 

[zeppelin builder]

A few years ago I bought some unhardened steel balls on ebay & have been using them for the end of handles (after either drilling, or drilling & tapping a hole in them).

I haven't got many left so I'm hoping to buy a load more, but I've been really struggling to find the unhardened variety. The supplier I bought them from last time doesn't seem to exist anymore

Does anyone know a supplier who sells unhardened mild steel (not stainless) balls? I'd prefer 12 mm diameter but I'd grudgingly accept 1/2" if there really is no other option.

chuck them in somebodys woodburner overnight ,that will soften them

 

[Dr.Al]

chuck them in somebodys woodburner overnight ,that will soften them

I might give it a try, or maybe wait until the weather's good and bung them at the bottom of a barbecue, but for now I've got some on order from Atlas.