Beater Bag

[rkilgore29]

Beater Bag - A bag made of leather and generally filled with dry sand or lead shot. The fill media allows the surface to mimic the contour of the part being shaped or allows for a depression of varying size to be created in order to stretch the metal into it by hammering. Leather is used for its’ suppleness and durability. Sometimes referred to as a bag, a shot bag or a sand bag.

[tdoty]

And, for further clarification (or simplification), beater bags are sometimes made from canvas too. Not nearly as durable as leather, the canvas will work fine for a while. Just wanted to cover the bases a bit more :) .

Of course, this thread could quickly transform into a discussion of the various ways members have made beater bags - either expedient solutions or permanent :) .

Tim D.

[seajays]

Any suggestions on the best filler material?

[tdoty]

Any suggestions on the best filler material?

In my opinion, that is strictly a matter of preference. Some swear by lead shot, others use silica sand, there is even a "specialty" beater bag filler on the market.

Personally, I have developed a preference for "Black Magnum" abrasive blasting crystals. The Black Magnum has a courser texture than the typical silica sand, is drier than "play sand" (which works well too), has a low silica content, and costs me about $5 for a 25lb bag.

HTH,

Tim D.

[Bill B]

Hi All,

My favorite is a large purse solidly filled with general purpose sand I dried and screened. In the photo are a couple of small bags I got from John "Boogiemanz" Brown. Hope i didn't misspell that. The small one is very handy and gets a lot of use.

[Bill B]

For people new to metal shaping;

Maybe this is a good place to show something that can be used to shape the metal placed upon the bag. This is a hammer made without a lathe. It has a "boy scout axe" handle bought at Ace Hardware. It is low budget!

The heads are oak with the holder end cut to a 1" square and the body cut to an octagon on the table saw. The business ends were shaped on the belt sander. The rounded steel head insert is made with a piece from a gas bottle cap.

The head holder is 1 1/4" by 1/8" wall square tube with a piece of 1/8" steel flat stock welded in where the handle fits. It worked great forming 18 large roses from 22 gauge steel. I got a sheet of 20 gauge by accident and had to lead the head holder. Works real nice now, and has great balance and feel.

If I was building another would use 1 1/2" by 1/4" wall tube.