triw Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I am looking for a 4" ball bearing to help someone who wears a prosthec leg. He wears special wool socks and when they are washed the "toe" seems to shrink more than the top. He has tried using a round cylinder to streach out the toe but I was thinking a ball shape would work better. Does anyone know where to purchase a ball bearing that big? Or any other ideas? Thanks William Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil shelton Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 you may not like the price but a good bearing house should be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 A forged ball from a 'blacksmith' component catalogue company (Maybe Centaur in the US, Lecky metal or FH Brundle here in the UK) would possibly be less expensive, or what about a copper forged ball Two halves domed and secured together, (or a plastic Cistern valve float) would be better, lighter and not rusting which may be important if he doesn't always wear brown socks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 How about a water balloon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markb Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Bean bag, shot bag, bag o' marbles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will. K. Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 They sell those solid stone and glass spheres in the ~4" range at the marts and home decor stores. A boccie or croquet ball might work to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecelticforge Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I used tennis balls to keep the stuff I wore under my braces from shrinking too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Candlepin bowling ball? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 you could get a 4" sphere from r and b wagner they sell hollow spheres that may work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drako11 Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 You can find a solid metal ball about 2-3" wide on the side of rail road tracks. At least around here I can. : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meinhoutexas Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 do you know anyone who works around an old coal fired boiler unit? they have ball mills that crush the coal into talc powder then blow the fuel into the boiler. the balls on these thins are about 3+ inch in dia. .....Or you could find a ball hitch around 3" if i remeber corectly add a handle to it and that may stretch the sock out for him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hammer Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 I suggest forging the end of a four-inch OD steel pipe into a round end (half ball). Smooth with a belt grinder (increasing grits, if necessary). Shouldn't be that hard to do, and will be a lot lighter and manageable than other solutions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 King archeticual metals have them all sizes solid and hollow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfrick Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Did anyone take into account what would happen if those socks with a 4" steel ball were to be put in a washing machine? Poor machine! I'd try to look into something more like what Will K. was saying--maybe a croquet ball or plastic softball? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hammer Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 Use a Wiffleball...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triw Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 WOW Thank you for the ideas, I will let him know and see what works. I am amased and proud of you guys and gals that contributed and idea or two. Like the Bible says there is wisdon in the councle of many... Again Thanks William Chrisfrick the streaching of the sock happens after the socks are washed and dried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisfrick Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Ah, okay--makes sense now. A 4" steel ball would *definitely* stretch it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Use a Wiffleball...... Wiffle ball gets my vote. A steel bearing will kill everything in the washer including the washer. Not that it'd get a chance, as soon as the agitator started moving whoever is around, say within 2 neighbors in any direction, will rush in and shut it off. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 If your man puts the sock over the ball wet that would tend to prevent the shrinkage in the first place. If the wiffle ball is what I think it is, like an open mesh plastic, that would aid in air circulation, just let the sock dry over the ball. Repeated shrinking and stretching can't be god for the sock material doesn't matter what it's made from. Maybe he could also try some Martha Stewart type non shrinking wash methods, like washing in cold water only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medieval Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 Toilet valve float .........:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 (edited) I recommend that he consider purchasing socks sold as Diabetic socks as they are designed not to bind or cause foot issues, and also purchase those Diabetic socks a size larger than the label says they are. If he purchases socks without problems, then it will not be necessary to deal each day with stretching the socks. Stretching socks that have problems is like giving aspirin to a person that is banging their head against the wall. Edited August 19, 2009 by UnicornForge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hammer Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Medieval... Great idea on the toilet valve flat (built in handle). Best idea yet! Talk about metal workers thinking outside our box.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.