Source of Viton balls?

[AcrosticusParticipant @acrosticus]

Can anyone point me to an alternative source of Viton balls for boiler check valves, please?

I have looked at Polly Model Eng (my usual supplier) but they are out of stock.

TIA

Tony

[Les RileyParticipant @lesriley75593]

Try Live Steam Models at Little Eaton near Derby.

Catalogue on their website.

[AcrosticusParticipant @acrosticus]

Thanks, but no joy at Live Steam Models, they have viton O-rings, but not balls

Tony

 

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Came across this company the other day whilst looking for a different product maybe of help

H

https://catalog.cicball.com/viewitems/rubber-balls-2/viton-rubber-balls

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

Why Viton? As the water is quite cool nitrile would be fine.

[AcrosticusParticipant @acrosticus]

I’ve seen advice on another website that nitrile isn’t suitable for boiler check valves (too warm) and that you should use viton, which is why I’m looking for it (to replace steel balls which I can’t get tight).

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Quantity and diameter required would be useful to know.

https://www.dejaydistribution.co.uk/balls14.html

Viton is a trade name, so in thus searching you are strictly restricting yourself to one and only one company’s products. Try using the more generic name:

Rubber And Viton Balls

https://theppb.co.uk/rubber-balls/

 

[AcrosticusParticipant @acrosticus]

OK, fluoroelastomer balls as a generic name.

1/4″ and 3/16″ dia,

5-off each

This sort of quantity is what ME suppliers would do. Bulk suppliers generally don’t want to know!

[Acrosticus]

On Acrosticus Said:

Bulk suppliers generally don’t want to know!

Buy from an industrial supplier and flog the balance to Polly to help them re-stock.

I just looked at Polly’s site to guess at a size and for me, their website is showing stock, but it could be incorrect.

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

I put ceramic balls in the check/clack valves on my traction engine and still good after 5+ years

 

[norm nortonParticipant @normnorton75434]

I have looked for some more Viton balls in the small sizes, but I think Polly was the only previous UK supplier.

Nitrile rubber balls are widely available but they do harden over time in steam. Viton o-rings are readily available on eBay but Viton balls only seem common in the USA and in large quantities.

The problem for a supplier, who might buy a quantity and re-package for the hobby market, is that most buyers are unaware of the performance difference between Viton and Nitrile and the Viton are more expensive.

I am now routinely replacing the Nitrile balls if I have reason to take a check valve apart.

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Grainger in the US and Fixsupply, also US, have them in small quantities.

Make friends with someone there and ask them to ship them to you.

https://www.grainger.com/product/Viton-Ball-Std-784ZR2

https://www.fixsupply.com/bulk-rb-v70-2-viton-rubber-ball-70a-1-4-diameter-pack-of-5

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Grainger will send to the UK, about £25 postage which if you need several sizes may not be as bad as if you were just buying a single pack.

[AcrosticusParticipant @acrosticus]

I see Polly are now saying they are in stock again, so will get an order off to them.

Tony

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