Microscopic ball bearings

[Ochanomizu]

Hello,

 

Usually I am in control of my situation, but not today.  I went to my train room and sat down at the workstation.  I was actually there to make adjustments to a pair of glasses that had a loose screw.  When I turned on the light to my magnifier I noticed two small shiny objects on my workstation.  They turned out to be microscopic ball bearings.  I have measured them as best I can and they appear to approximate 0.4mm or 1/60".  

 

Where could such small bearings have come from?

 

I have recently been soldering connector plugs for my layout and thought they might simply be splashed solder, but they are perfectly formed and roll very well.  I can not think of anything that uses such small bearings and I have not dismantled anything that might have them.

 

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

In the meantime, I've put them in a zip lock bag in an envelope clearly labelled, to be forgotten about for the next decade or so.

[railsquid]

Put there by the Ball Bearings Fairy? I presume she's similar to the Plastic Parts Fairy who likes to leave unidentifiable parts which are clearly designed for some purpose around my desk/layout.

[bikkuri bahn]

Some mechanical watches with automatic winding use such ball bearings in their winding mechanisms, namely the pivot for the rotor weight. Other possible uses would be around the drive shaft of a micro motor, perhaps?

Edited December 30, 2015 by bikkuri bahn

[cteno4]

Ochanomizu,

 

My guess is it's the solder. I've seen these when soldering and solder splatters. The tiny bits dry in mid air pretty round. When I was very young and had a huge supply of solder I use to play with it making shapes by dropping molten drops and I sort of rember it then as well. I have a vague recollection of making them dripping it into water (hey what do you get when you mix a soldering iron, a lot of solder and a bored 5 year old!)

 

Try squeezing one with a pair of flat needle nose pliers a tiny bit. Solder will flatten, steel ball bearing won't!

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

 

Ps I did turn out many paperweights in various animal shapes and biplanes out of paperclips welded together with solder!

[Ochanomizu]

Hello Mr Jeff,

 

Happy New Year to you.  I shall try your test.

 

I rolled them around in a plastic tray and they roll very evenly, which is why I thought they might not be solder.

 

I haven't dismantled anything that I believe could contain such small bearings.  I would expect such from a precision measuring instrument, like an old theodolite or time piece.

 

I shall report back next week.  It is New Year.  There is much celebrating to be done, friends to visit and sake to drink.

[cteno4]

Will be fun to find out what the mystery spheres are! Happy new year!

 

Jeff

[tossedman]

See if they melt with your soldering iron.

[cteno4]

Doh! Simpler that the pliers!

 

Jeff

[inobu]

Check it with a magnet.

 

Inobu