Honestly I ' ve never tried the canister method . I typically just use alternative layers of carbon steel and a nickel based steel . I know the use the rectangular canisters because it ' s a bit easier to compress to make the forge welds happen . I don ' t think it would be good to use the dust that comes off their machines because that stuff is probably loaded with other crap other than steel which means the gunk in it will be in your Damascus and you don ' t want that . If you are set on the canister method you should be able to buy powdered steel on line fairly easily . Edit I ' m fairly sure you can use borax as a substitute for Flux . The ball bearings might be a long shot , that one on not positive about