What filler do you use

Trix · Post by **Trix** » 08 Nov 2007 19:57

Im just getting into stitching, need to pick up some steel and lead shot for them. But if lead is so toxic, could it give you lead poisoning? Steel shot is a good alternative, but is harder and lighter. Im starting this thread so everyone can talk about advantages\disadvantages of lead\steel filler, or any other filler you want to talk about that you love, or hate.
I just made my first bag about a week ago, its a mini\facile\copper bb filled bag. The bb's are not going to work well I think, they are too big and when you play with it in your hands, only like 2 bb's fit inside the panel.
I think lead shot would be better if you didnt have to add beads to make the bag full, its a soft metal so it doesnt "clang" when you kick or stall them.
Im not sure about mixing lead or steel and beads, I dont want to hurt the consistancy of the bags I make.
Sand is the only filler besides plastic that is all by itself, I think.

LEGOMAN · Post by **LEGOMAN** » 08 Nov 2007 20:14

i only use lead. my bags suck lol

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 08 Nov 2007 22:08

I'm not a super experienced stitcher, and I certainly don't know very much about filler, so more experienced people will probably yell at me for whatever I say, but whatever.

From what I understand, and a little from experience, steel will wreck a bag fast. When I first got steel I made only steel bags, because I didn't know what I was doing. The one that I played with lasted about 3 sessions and started dying FAST. It basically lasted 4 or 5, but it's covered in TONs of medical tape.

Lead is a lot softer. I haven't made a bag of only lead, or played one of my lead/steel/seed bead bags until death (mostly because of never-ending injuries), but it would probably last longer. Lead is also heavier, which is rad for me, because I like a less-filled bag. Lots of stitchers use lead, from what I understand, but lots will also not touch it, and I'm leaning towards that direction too... I just need the money, since other metals are more expensive. Steel and lead are both about $20 for 20 lbs, or something? Something like that, I think.

I don't know much about them, but tungsten and bismuth are other heavier metals that some stitchers use. They're heavier too, I think, and less toxic than lead. Although, I'm hearing things now about tungsten being bad for you... These are more like $120 for 20 lbs.

I also use seed bead, which are little glass beads. I don't know from experience, but my understanding is that they act as a cushion and help prevent deterioration of the facile from the other fillers. They break up into teeny shards... so maybe that affects durability too... They are also very, very light, so they can fill a bag if you like them more full/round... or whatever. (About $2-5 for 500g-ish?)

Anyway, that's my limited experience and knowledge.
I'm really keen to hear what the experienced stitchers have to say too!!

calemccoy · Post by **calemccoy** » 08 Nov 2007 22:10

so i totally know where i can get steel skeetshot at this gun place... but where in the world do you purchase lead from?

Guest_1 · Post by **Guest_1** » 08 Nov 2007 22:16

ballistics

calemccoy · Post by **calemccoy** » 08 Nov 2007 23:32

sorry man, but i couldnt really draw anything like an answer from one word.

verena · Post by **verena** » 09 Nov 2007 01:09

i'm not a stitcher, but i think making good bags is all about the filler you use. i think the planetfootbag filler is really good.

Guest_1 · Post by **Guest_1** » 09 Nov 2007 07:43

These guys are 15 minute drive from my house.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/

I use size 9 lead shot and have never had a problem

Trix · Post by **Trix** » 09 Nov 2007 10:39

Im leaning towards lead, because of the softness. Steel would be something I try in the future. I wanted to try the planet footbag steel filler, but im not paying 21 euros to deliver a 13 euro package, know what I mean. What they ought to do is start making silicon covered lead shot, no toxic due to the silicon and it would give it more "pop" when you kick it. Although its probably an expensive request it might be useful to extend bag life. Maybe.

Trix · Post by **Trix** » 09 Nov 2007 10:47

If you live in the US I know a good site to buy steel and lead shot from.
www.precisionreloading.com
Good zinc plated steel in as little as 5 pound bottles,
good prices and shipping is a flat rate if you order alot.
This is the best I could find so far, there is a site called graf & sons that pays for freight, but you have to spend at least 30$, still a good deal though.

Benzilla · Post by **Benzilla** » 09 Nov 2007 16:18

i like lead better than steel. Steel in my hands feels rough and makes a bag feel gritty. Lead makes a bag feel soft and buttery. I've tried both and think that the lead is more choice. It's safe as long as you don't put a bag in your mouth or breath through a bleed hole or anything like that.

Pengu · Post by **Pengu** » 09 Nov 2007 19:46

My bags are filled with magical beans. If you plant my filler, you may meet a giant. I love my filler.

I personally can't get over handling lead that much. Especially since I bite my fingernails.

I think lead or steel shot, on their own in a bag, sucks.

Trix · Post by **Trix** » 10 Nov 2007 01:36

LMFAO, dude you are now on my signature...thats fn awesome.
Yeah I emailed Daryl Genz at freedom footbags and he said he is going to have filler on his site this month hopefully. Im definitely going to try that out. But I may buy some lead shot, sizes 6 and 7 for other bags too.
I figure if you put two differant sizes in it, it helps with the "roll"

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 10 Nov 2007 01:36

I think that there have been some really bad answers in this thread and anyone looking to get useful info out of this shout be really careful.

I don't think that any single filler is very good. That's like expecting a meal to taste good if you only include the carrots or something.

After years of testing my filler (which is also used by Pengpeng) is a retarded mix of shit.

Trix · Post by **Trix** » 10 Nov 2007 01:51

Yeah, It has been a little misleading. Any one filler does suck. Except maybe sand. I filled my first bag with bb's only and its durability is like 1.
Im hoping soon there is somewhere in the us to order plastic beads and other filler. Other than steel and lead shot.

Trix · Post by **Trix** » 10 Nov 2007 01:58

But just for everyones info, this thread is not so much to help people out as it is just a dicussion of good and bad things about certain fillers. Different experiments new stitchers try and so forth. I am going to put differant mixtures of differant fillers in all my bags until I find just the right mix.

Wheel333 · Post by **Wheel333** » 10 Nov 2007 11:28

Filler on Freedom Foobags sounds good. I wonder what the postage will be like on 500g to Europe.

Trix · Post by **Trix** » 11 Nov 2007 02:26

I dunno about 500g but 1000 from europe to us is like 21 euro's 8O But if you live in europe planet footbag has good filler, for those of us who dont. We'll just have to wait.

monkeybilla · Post by **monkeybilla** » 11 Nov 2007 07:36

personnally i like steel just becouse i have a dog who always eats my footbags and if he eats a lead bag which he did twice it could be deathening too him. i dont really feel a diffrence in playability though.

ville · Post by **ville** » 11 Nov 2007 10:10

Wheel333 wrote:Filler on Freedom Foobags sounds good. I wonder what the postage will be like on 500g to Europe.

In europe you can buy filler from Planet Footbag: http://www.planetfootbag.ch/shop/index.php?cPath=7

modified

What filler do you use

What filler do you use

I dunno

Good site

Magical beans?

I concur

But