Looking for hard to find component

[AaronH]

Howdy all, I am looking for some sort of small diameter ball that has the ability to be mounted. Something like a tooling ball, but hopefully much less in price. The ball can either have a tapped hole, threaded stud, press fit hole or straight shaft. Just some method of being mounted. It could possibly be even a half a ball. Tooling balls are around $15, and I am ~hoping~ to pay a dollar or less and find it readily available (i.e. not custom made). So far the best idea has been a round headed rivet. Basically I'd like to find something like a round machine knob, but around 3/16" diameter. I would prefer steel, but brass may work as well. I am probably asking for way too much, but I thought I would see if someone has run across such an animal. Thanks in advance.

Aaron

 

[ivymike]

what about the little ball-ended screws that are used for mounting the pneumatic tailgate lift cylinders on a Jeep Cherokee?

 

[MintJulep]

Check

http://www.smallparts.com/

They have all sorts of interesting things.

 

[EnglishMuffin]

Since you mention a rivet, you only seem to need about half of a spherical surface, so why not just use a standard hardened ball ? You can press a ball into a reamed hole (most balls are made to inch dimensions). I've designed things using this method. You can also place a ball in a hole and peen the hole rim to retain the ball. Or you can glue the ball into the hole.

 

[sb3]

Look at ball joint assemblies. McMaster-Carr for example carries a variety of small inexpensive ball joints which are a ball on a small bolt some of which can be easily separated if necessary. Small joints are $1 or $2.

 

[serif]

hi there try this web site it may help you find your
component

regards

serif. from down under

http://www.partserver.com/

 

[Hush]

How about beads. I know I've seen brass rosaries.

 

[avjJOE]

since you need only half a ball consider welding/ brazing or soldering a steel ball in place. hardened steel balls for use in bearings can be obtained in bulk for as low as .20 $ ea.