calling all panel beaters

mommy got me a panel beating bag for my birthday. should I fill it with sand (I've heard it can get moist and ruin the bag) or metal shot? any bright ideas out there?





"yeah, I think that's reverse...go ahead and let the clutch out..."

 

Fill'er with shot
Pat

 

shot.

 

I'm using No. 8 shot

 

I use #9 shot

 

One more vote for shot. I've got bags with both sand and shot and my experience is the shot produces a smoother result and SEEMS to move better than the sand. I attribute it to the fact that the shot is spherical in shape (thus round surfaces moving against each other) vs the jagged edges of the sand contacting each other and thus resisting movement.

Frank

 

I have one with shot and one with sand. I don't see alot of difference in the way they work. Only difference I noticed is the price. Lead shot is spendy if you have a big bag. It cost about $60.00 to $70.00 to fill mine three years ago...
Jeff

 

I used #9 Lead Shot.Ron Covell prefers sand.
Easier to get,less money.

If the leather won't keep the sand dry enough,you've got worse problems.

 

where do you get lead shot? also,some one told me to use glass bead. said it is better than sand ,but i would not know thanks

 

Serious hunting places sell Lead Shot,unless local regulations don't allow Lead.
It's used for loading Shot Gun shells,some places use steel shot.

 

They used to be called shot bags.

 

As said already, Covell preferes sand.
Lead shot can get expensive, and isn't as easy to come by.
If you're worried about moisture making the sand sticky, think what it will do to steel shot.

The very, very little bit of metal forming I've done has been with a sand filled leather bag...my technique and methods aren't refined enough to be picky about sand over shot.

-Brad

 

Hate to say it but the lead can be a little unhealthy too. There is always a little dust made with the shot moving around. Most bags are sealed good but shit happens.

 

You Can Buy The Lead Shot At A Scuba Diving Shop Cheap

 

Sand is going to be a lot lighter and cheaper too, then lead shot.

 

Breathing the dust from the sand can be just as unhealthy. Take precautions either way you fill them to avoid breathing the dust. I add another vote for shot. Have tried both and the shot just has a better "feel"

Tim

 

I've heard lotsa people say this. I think it makes the most sense to use sand until you build up your skill level (or desire to learn more), and then get another bag for shot.

If you go with sand, make sure it is strained... like through a window screen or similar.

My bag has sand in it.

 

I use sand in mine and can't tell the differance. Everyone says lead moves better but I feel once you hammer on your lead, it's not round anymore.

 

Save your money...get sand, but not a fine sand, use a coarse grain. I forget the # of grain, ask Covell, I think its stupid to spend almost a $100 for lead shot to fill a bag, when it doesn't even make that much difference.
my 2......

 

I bought my shot at Gander Mountain.

 

I've bot mine filled with sand, cheap and easy. I just store it in a dry cabinet in the garage.

 

I'm cheap....... mine's full of garden variety sandbox sand, left out in the sun to dry until it was like powder, viola.

 

I have a 18" diameter bag, I filled with #9 bird shot. it weighed 125 pounds. I couldn't move it. I went to lowes and bought playground sand and dried it out on a cookie sheet in the oven and then poured it in. its lighter and it works the same. oh and alot cheaper.

my two cents