geoffb | 27 Jan 2014 5:44 a.m. PST |
I'm a big fan of the Vallejo paint range with the one reservation that they can be a bit og a to shake up. I have heard that you could put a ball bearing inside them to agitate the paint. Any idea it this is practical and if so what size would be best? I notice these chaps do a range link |
Cold Steel | 27 Jan 2014 5:55 a.m. PST |
Don't use anything that rusts. You can use a metal or glass bead. The beads are cheaper from your local craft store that ball bearings. A round shape will cause issues with closing the dropper. I would go with the 1.5 or 2 mm. I use .177 caliber lead pellets I picked up somewhere over the years. The irregular shape doesn't clog the dispenser. |
Fat Wally | 27 Jan 2014 6:03 a.m. PST |
Hi Geoff. I have used spare/old 15mm figures to agitate my paint pots for several years. Lets face it, we all have boxes of unpainted lead hanging about we'll never actually paint, right? Carefully remove the Vallejo nozzle with pliers and push in the 15mm figure. You might need to bend arms legs/trim base but it will fit. Perfect paint agitator. Kev |
vexillia | 27 Jan 2014 6:12 a.m. PST |
Geoff I use glass beads too but when they fail I use an ultrasonic bath. You are also in luck as Aldi had them in stock last week and they may have some left. -- Martin Stephenson The Waving Flag :: Twitter :: eBay |
Ram Kangaroo | 27 Jan 2014 6:26 a.m. PST |
Have used 4 mm stainless steel balls that I obtained an from eBay shop. They have been effective for mixing the paints, even those that I have negelected for several years. I've never had an issue with them blocking the nozzle. I've also used haematite beads available from craft stores. They are somewhat heavier than glass beads. Regards. |
Ram Kangaroo | 27 Jan 2014 6:28 a.m. PST |
Noted one thing from your link. Well, two. First the balls have an oil coating on them so they would have to be cleaned with detergent before use. Second, if they need oil then they are not stainless. That leaves the possibility of rust and therefore staining of some of your paints. |
GildasFacit | 27 Jan 2014 7:15 a.m. PST |
I've used ball bearings made for bikes for years and, yes, they corrode a bit but never enough to stain the paint. In fact simple iron oxides have poor staining qualities anyway so shouldn't be a problem. All ball bearings need some sort of lubrication in their proper role so having them shipped oiled isn't abnormal, even if they are stainless. |
Evil Bobs Miniature Painting | 27 Jan 2014 7:44 a.m. PST |
I just use cut up pieces of metal sprue. |
ernieR | 27 Jan 2014 7:46 a.m. PST |
if you're using lead pellets or old figs it might be a good idea not to use your tongue to put a point on your brush . |
IagreewithSpartacus | 27 Jan 2014 9:10 a.m. PST |
@ Fat Wally: So is this another version of The Dip'? |
wrgmr1 | 27 Jan 2014 11:26 a.m. PST |
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Fat Wally | 27 Jan 2014 1:30 p.m. PST |
IagreewithSpartacus. LOL. Never thought of that. I guess it is. :-) |
Emilio | 27 Jan 2014 4:16 p.m. PST |
I advise you not to use lead pellets. I had a lot of Vallejo paints become dry and hard for using lead. Use only inert pellets, like glass. Emilio. |
Evil Bobs Miniature Painting | 27 Jan 2014 4:51 p.m. PST |
Never had a problem with sprue. I have paints 6+ years old with it in them and no problems. |
Mugwump | 27 Jan 2014 6:39 p.m. PST |
I use the small bite-on fishing sinkers (oversize bb's.) If you're worried about lead just use the tin ones. Also I used a multi pack disk that had at least a hundred in it of different sizes from Gander Mountain for $5 USD when I bought it. M- |
Hugh Johns | 29 Jan 2014 11:56 p.m. PST |
You want 316 stainless steel bbs. You also want to buy a used vortex mixer off of ebay. It will solve your problem completely. |
TheWarStoreSweetie | 31 Jan 2014 9:39 p.m. PST |
I use glass beads that I get in bulk from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Awesome things for agitating paint. |
Fizzypickles | 10 Feb 2014 7:02 p.m. PST |
Hew is right, always buy 316 stainless Steel, it is marine grade and will not corrode. I prefer nuts to balls though |
Cyclopeus | 27 May 2014 12:20 p.m. PST |
I used some bee bees and they promptly started to rust in the paint bottle, but not enough to really effect the paint color. |