Steel or brass balls without a ball turner

[Brian Rupnow]

Brian,

take the roller out of a old mouse, cut the rubber of of it and it will yeald a steel ball about 0.68 dia.

They are mild steel and can be drilled and taped and finish up real nice, like chrome when done with 600 and 800 grit sand paper.

Jim--thats very interesting. I didn't know that. I've heard of tom cats being referred to as a "ball bearing mouse trap", but I never expected that a mouse would have balls that big. ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[jim_geib]

Jim--thats very interesting. I didn't know that. I've heard of tom cats being referred to as a "ball bearing mouse trap", but I never expected that a mouse would have balls that big. ;D ;D ;D ;D

I knew I would get in trouble

 

[Dusty1]

Here's the setup with a worn out file.
Drill a hole thru the file with a carbide drill.
mill a slot with a carbide mill for the stem.
Grind the teeth off.

And away you go.

Kap

 

[Mainer]

www.smallparts.com sells small quantities of balls in various sizes and materials. I think www.mcmaster.com does as well.

n.b. if you have a choice, get brass instead of bronze, they will drill and thread a lot easier.