Are all ball bearings made of 52100 (the actual balls, that is, not the casing)? Can you buy the small ones in bulk somewhere?

Thanks,

JD

Maybe we can get Ed Caffery to answer this. He works with 52100 quite a bit and he may know. I do not know.

The answer to your question are all bearings 52100 NO .I would call Sheffield Supply Admiral Steel or Jeff Carlise and order from them.This way you know what you are getting.I have used it from all 3 suppliers and am well satisfied. Robert Washburn ABS Journeyman Smith

Bearings are made from everything.
Even BG-42 was designed for bearings.
It is essential to know what metal you are working so you can cook it right. The heat treat is where the properties go in.

For those interested, it seems that MSC Direct carries bb balls made out of "chromium steel" - I've e-mailed them about the exact steel. They also have simple carbon steel ones.

JD