Steel Stot vs. Lead Shot

jrstubs · Post by **jrstubs** » 24 Jul 2006 05:17

I'm still in the process of finding a good filler for my 32 bags.

I want to get steel shot or lead shot but I don't know which is better

and what other stuff should I throw in with the lead/steel shot, I want to

make quality freestyle bags, I already have a good sized panel thanks to

a few people. Thanks for the help

BenRea · Post by **BenRea** » 24 Jul 2006 05:55

steel shot is bouncy and less dense than lead, meaning you have to use more bouncy steel to make a heavy bag, with lead you can use half as much and make it weigh the same, plus lead is less bouncy.

Pengu · Post by **Pengu** » 24 Jul 2006 06:21

There's no best filler. It's about personal preference. Lead does have it's health disadvantages, although it would take a lot of lead to be injested by an adult to be an actual problem. Lead footbags should be kept away from pets and small children. Then again, lead has the advantage of being heavier and denser making your bags be able to be less full and still heavy.

Many of the European stitchers have moved away from lead these days and quite a few in North America are also using steel. Their bags are really nice with steel. You just have to find a combination that works for you. Steel doesn't have the same supposed health hazaards that make people uneasy.

There's no such thing as making a bag bouncy because of steel. It just means the bag is too full if that is the case. It happens with lead shot too. Sometimes all that means is it needs to be broken in a lot more or emptied a little.

jrstubs · Post by **jrstubs** » 24 Jul 2006 08:14

Thanks for all that info peng, it helped alot

gangsta · Post by **gangsta** » 24 Jul 2006 08:41

BallisticsProducts.com has Plated lead shot, which, i'm assuming, is heavier than solid steel shot. I suppose it would be Non-toxic as well, unless the outer coating wears off.
They also have "Hevi-Shot", which is more dense than lead, and Bismuth shot, which is non-toxic, and heavier than steel shot (but less dense than lead shot). Hevi, and Bismuth shot are Expensive though.

kehern15 · Post by **kehern15** » 24 Jul 2006 10:38

As far as I know, plated lead shot, (weather its nickel or copper plated) usually flakes off after a while. The flakes are sharp, and I have heard that they pucture the bag. I dont know, I have just heard all this...

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 24 Jul 2006 10:51

steel rusts

Post by **Zac Miley** » 24 Jul 2006 11:01

Tsiangkun wrote:steel rusts

If it's copper plated will it still rust?

Nathan · Post by **Nathan** » 24 Jul 2006 11:20

I agree with Tsiang. Many a good bag of mine have been ruined by rust from steel shot.

brinard · Post by **brinard** » 24 Jul 2006 11:27

i got chilled lead shot from bass pro shop. its not coated with steel or lead, but only comes in size 9.

its super awesome, i love it so much more than plated shot or larger shot.

steel shot does not suit my tastes. ive tried it, but i dont like how bouncy (or light) it was.

i like heavy bags that dont bounce tho.

so its personal pref.

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 25 Jul 2006 18:38

I think that if you use steel shot with a liquid detergent with some bleach in it, it will rust over a period of time (faster than a product without bleach at least). It's hard to find a stable filler that can go through a good wash cycle.