good points and that is the $1 million dollar question as around 3 years ago I enquired with a number of bearing companies had a brain wave to create the ultimate pin ball - a steel ball that is ceramic coated.

A few companies could do it with only one in the expensive range but at a 1000 ball minimum purchase the crunch that ceased the project.

They claimed and have read mechanical reports that bearings with this coating in a machine environment runs really well maintaining a much better surface. It still weighs the same, guessing it will glide a little better but last longer and hoped that less chance to wear the playfield. The added bonus was the introduction of various colours which could be fun.

People get funny about things and deem a ball over $3-5 as not needed but the potential longer lasting capabilities, less damage and colour could be a relatively cool and affordable upgrade but the investment was too much and even samples was crazy so canned it. I will have to try and find those emails though but had a drive die between then and now so might not have the history any more.

ps maybe a thread on "pin ball design" could be started