Here's a DIY Option using brass pieces, for rods up to 60" long!
I will add that brass prices sure have gone UP ... so check around for pricing, as the parts appear more expensive than from the last time I made some, no thanks to Bidenomics! I had bought enough to make 3 and they were only about $22 each back then (only a year or 2 ago), plus add a few buck or two for whatever your handle of choice is, e.g., a 2" wooden ball is $1 or so at local hobby store, or other brass needed if you want a T-Handle.
From the picture at the bottom, top to bottom, the parts are:
-Cut the ENDS from the 4" extension into two 2" long pieces and remove the male 10-32 stud from one end
-Cut the MAIN ROD to your desired length
-Cut two 3" long sleeves from the larger SLEEVE tubing, your 'sleeve' could be longer if you think YOU need more strength there ...
-Insert the solid END, so that the 10-32 threaded hold show flush, into the 3" SLEEVE - Glue and pin together. I use a LokTite product that makes up space between pieces and permanently bonds them together (epoxy would work too!). Then pin with a brass pin/brad peened into a countersunk hole on each end.
-Then insert the MAIN ROD into the 2" of the SLEEVE on the solid END you just put together - Glue and pin together.
-Do the same for the handle end, making sure the tapped 10-32 female hole is flush at the end. When using 2" or so wooden balls for a handle, I tap drill a 1-1/2" machine bolt 10-32 that's epoxied into the ball, leaving 1/2" out. I also made up a T-Handle too ... but so far have never needed it.
There you go ... a CUSTOM length - light but strong - brass tubed Range Rod for only $25 or so (maybe a tad more with Biden Priceconomics)!
I will add that brass prices sure have gone UP ... so check around for pricing, as the parts appear more expensive than from the last time I made some, no thanks to Bidenomics! I had bought enough to make 3 and they were only about $22 each back then (only a year or 2 ago), plus add a few buck or two for whatever your handle of choice is, e.g., a 2" wooden ball is $1 or so at local hobby store, or other brass needed if you want a T-Handle.
From the picture at the bottom, top to bottom, the parts are:
- 11/32" OB brass tubing, bought in a 36" length - This is the SLEEVE
- 5/16" OB thick wall brass tubing, bought in a 6' length (I would only use thick wall tubing here) - This is the MAIN ROD
- 5/16" ramrod extension, 5/16" OD solid brass, threaded 10-32 on both ends, $5 from Muzzleloaders Builder Supply - These will be the ramrod threaded ENDS
-Cut the ENDS from the 4" extension into two 2" long pieces and remove the male 10-32 stud from one end
-Cut the MAIN ROD to your desired length
-Cut two 3" long sleeves from the larger SLEEVE tubing, your 'sleeve' could be longer if you think YOU need more strength there ...
-Insert the solid END, so that the 10-32 threaded hold show flush, into the 3" SLEEVE - Glue and pin together. I use a LokTite product that makes up space between pieces and permanently bonds them together (epoxy would work too!). Then pin with a brass pin/brad peened into a countersunk hole on each end.
-Then insert the MAIN ROD into the 2" of the SLEEVE on the solid END you just put together - Glue and pin together.
-Do the same for the handle end, making sure the tapped 10-32 female hole is flush at the end. When using 2" or so wooden balls for a handle, I tap drill a 1-1/2" machine bolt 10-32 that's epoxied into the ball, leaving 1/2" out. I also made up a T-Handle too ... but so far have never needed it.
There you go ... a CUSTOM length - light but strong - brass tubed Range Rod for only $25 or so (maybe a tad more with Biden Priceconomics)!
