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Thread: Chrome Plated Steel Balls

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

    Johnch's Avatar
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    Chrome Plated Steel Balls

    I got a call a hour or so ago from a friend I go fishing with
    He called to confirm the details on a bass fishing trip he invited me on next spring

    2 Weeks fishing 3 areas


    But the one sort of bad thing
    2 of the places we are going to be fishing has gone Lead Free
    So no lead worm weights , lead jig heads , Spinner baits or even in a factory plug
    He said they check everyone

    So as I am making a lot of my own lures
    I need to either buy a lot of new lures or use 100% non toxic metals

    For the jig heads and spinner bait heads , we are planning on casting Bismuth
    Worm weights , another guy I fish with turns brass worm weights

    For most of the plugs I carve , I can switch to steel shot as it is not seen

    BUT I pour several different internally weighted plastic lures and I am also making a hollow epoxy plug
    These lures you can see the weights and are designed for larger dia. weights
    Right now I use lead and paint it most of the time

    I figure I will have to switch to steel , as the molds I bought were designed to use steel balls

    So I would like to find a source of 1/8" to 5/16" chrome (or close ) low cost steel balls

    Any ideas ?

    Thanks
    John
    Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
    And I carry a LOADED Hell Cat

  2. #2
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    You may need different molds due to the higher temp. but some home casters are switching over to Zinc tire weights.
    They weigh about 60% what the same volume of Lead does.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master phaessler's Avatar
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    Have you checked Amazon? "chrome steel balls assorted"

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master

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    On Line Metals and Mc Master Carr both sell metal balls

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    Could look into steel shotgun shot ???

  6. #6
    Boolit Bub
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    Amazon for sure. They even have SS for not a lot.

  7. #7
    Boolit Master

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    Thanks
    I did a quick look at Amazon and it looks like I can get what I need there
    I just never thought to look at Amazon

    John
    Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
    And I carry a LOADED Hell Cat

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master Harter66's Avatar
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    Slingshot steel shot ? It's about 00B and cheap chrome $3-5/100 I think . Might hit up a bicycle shop those are all ball bearings and chromoly . They range from about F to 0000B .
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  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    BB's from Wally World (aka China Mart)
    West of Beaver Dick's Ferry.

  10. #10
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    Tungsten weights are now common, many sources for them for fishing...

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    What is wrong with tin? Of course, your 1/2 oz spinner baits will only weigh about a 1/3 oz etc. Tin is relatively available including at Wally World where tin splitshot sinkers can be found for doing just a small quantity. Doing a small quantity in your lead melting furnace won't hurt future boolits and may actually improve them as it alloys itself. A size 5 tin splitshot can be pinched onto a long shank plastic worm hook to make a passable jig as well if fishing depths are less than 20 feet. You may have to use lighter line as well such as 8-10# rather than 12-20#.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Don't know about chrome, but loose bicycle ball bearings are plentiful.

  13. #13
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    Since you are used to casting, I’d give zinc a try.

  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    geez, I never even heard of lead free fishing before
    just how exactly do you attach chrome steel to fishing line?

  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    You might check Ballistic Products (shotshell reloading components). They carry many different non-toxic shot sizes, including various buck shot, some are as heavy or even heavier than lead, some can be pricey.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    Most local bearing shops will sell loose ball bearings; almost infinite sizes and as many as you might want.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    am I missing something? how are you supposed to attach them to the line unless you can drill a hole through them and that might be a little tricky without the right equipment
    I would think tin would be the best way to go it can be easily manipulated, like lead

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnch View Post
    I got a call a hour or so ago from a friend I go fishing with
    He called to confirm the details on a bass fishing trip he invited me on next spring

    2 Weeks fishing 3 areas


    But the one sort of bad thing
    2 of the places we are going to be fishing has gone Lead Free
    So no lead worm weights , lead jig heads , Spinner baits or even in a factory plug
    He said they check everyone

    So as I am making a lot of my own lures
    I need to either buy a lot of new lures or use 100% non toxic metals

    For the jig heads and spinner bait heads , we are planning on casting Bismuth
    Worm weights , another guy I fish with turns brass worm weights

    For most of the plugs I carve , I can switch to steel shot as it is not seen

    BUT I pour several different internally weighted plastic lures and I am also making a hollow epoxy plug
    These lures you can see the weights and are designed for larger dia. weights
    Right now I use lead and paint it most of the time

    I figure I will have to switch to steel , as the molds I bought were designed to use steel balls

    So I would like to find a source of 1/8" to 5/16" chrome (or close ) low cost steel balls

    Any ideas ?

    Thanks
    John
    Are they checking with a XRF gun?
    If they aren't using a XRF gun, and you cast some Bismuth weights, how will they know it's not Lead ?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”
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  19. #19
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by farmbif View Post
    am I missing something? how are you supposed to attach them to the line unless you can drill a hole through them and that might be a little tricky without the right equipment
    I would think tin would be the best way to go it can be easily manipulated, like lead
    For the rubber based plugs , I cast the weights inside
    For some plugs I drill holes in the bottom of the carved wood of the plug , sealed into the bottom with Super Glue and baking soda
    For other plugs , I carve or cast the plug in 2 pieces , add the weights in hollow areas and then glue the 3 parts together

    John
    Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
    And I carry a LOADED Hell Cat

  20. #20
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    ebay has "3mm Solid Copper Bearing Balls (Min 99.9% Cu) Wholesale" for $12.99 per 500.
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BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check