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[Chief]

Damn it! I dropped the little sucker and it disappeared. Now I need one little 4mm ball. Any ideas where one can fine a little sucker like that? I know I'll find it later, but I need it now.

I tried scavenging from a couple of ratchets, but they're the wrong size. I need 4.0 mm.

Googling didn't help. Can you?

[ggraves427]

Check with your local automatic transmission shop.  Don't call because he does not have time to go look, but if you stop by I bet he will let you check through his "junk" box.

[Chief]

Check with your local automatic transmission shop.  Don't call because he does not have time to go look, but if you stop by I bet he will let you check through his "junk" box.

Great idea, thanks!!!

[DeathTrap124]

Chief,

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. I ended up going to Grainger, they had a bearing with the correct size ball. I bought the bearing, took it home and cut it open. Got my ball! Kind of a pain but I was having the same problem trying to find just the ball...

www.grainger.com

[Chief]

Chief,

I had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. I ended up going to Grainger, they had a bearing with the correct size ball. I bought the bearing, took it home and cut it open. Got my ball! Kind of a pain but I was having the same problem trying to find just the ball...

www.grainger.com

Very cool. We've got a grainger only a couple miles from the house. I think I'll go by on my way home.

Damn. This place is better than Google! 

[Midnight Rider]

What I want to know is what you were doing playing with your balls in the first place? 

[Chief]

What I want to know is what you were doing playing with your balls in the first place? 

Due to some unwanted grit in a close tolerance area, cleaning was in order. Is that low and slow enough, or do you need some real low hanging fruit? 

[Chief]

Boy, did this ever turn into a cluster!!!!!!

Where do people go to get balls for their bearings? You'd think I was after parts for a nookular reackter or sumptin.

Went to Grainger... "unless you have a part number I can't help you."
Called Bearing and Drive... "You need a Timken blah blah blah but we don't stock them. Call Grainger."
Called Grainger ... "Nope, we don't have those. Have you tried Bearing and Drive?" UGH!!!!

Went by a Goodyear shop on the way home... "Yeah, Aamco might be able to help you."
Drove to Aamco... "Nope. We don't have any ball checks. When we take them out, we put them right back in. Try Atlanta Gear." (Called BS on that one)
Called Atlanta Gear... "Nope! Nothing metric here."

WTF? It's just a little steel ball.

I got home and started looking for anything with bearings.

Countertop lazy susan... Too Big! 1/4"
Air Compressor line coupler... too big, 3/16".
Trashed out 2 old Makita 9.6v driver drills. One too big and one too small.

Pressure washer hose coupler Bing! Bing! Bing! We have a winner. Exactly 4 freakin mm.

What a joke this little exercise turned into. I'm glad that's over!

End of Rant.

[hard10]

Boy, did this ever turn into a cluster!!!!!!

Where do people go to get balls for their bearings? You'd think I was after parts for a nookular reackter or sumptin.

...

Why didn't you just ask? The largest manufacture in the US is Minster Machine. They have a plant here in Beaufort, SC. The owner is a personal friend.

[rednectum]

glad you found your ball man. i was thinking you were gonna have to get a larger one and roll it around on sandpaper till yo made it smaller.

[Chief]

Why didn't you just ask? The largest manufacture in the US is Minster Machine. They have a plant here in Beaufort, SC. The owner is a personal friend.

Anyone in Beaufort is a personal friend of yours. I saw that in person. 

That town is just like living in Mayberry. 

[Chief]

glad you found your ball man. i was thinking you were gonna have to get a larger one and roll it around on sandpaper till yo made it smaller.

I was about to set up the drill press and make room for a larger one. I've got plenty at 3/16".

[ccr]

 
I'm so sorry to laugh, because I know it was painful for you, but this was the funniest thing to read in a long time.  Glad you found some new balls.  I know now that if I am ever looking for some, you gotta ask here.

 

[Chief]

I'm so sorry to laugh, because I know it was painful for you, but this was the funniest thing to read in a long time.  Glad you found some new balls.  I know now that if I am ever looking for some, you gotta ask here.

 

Candy,

It was so bad, it was humorous. But now I've got both balls back right where they're supposed to be, all lubed up and ready for more action. 

[Fired00d]

Candy,

It was so bad, it was humorous. But now I've got both balls back right where they're supposed to be, all lubed up and ready for more action. 

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d