How are tapered ramrods made?

[Leatherbark]

I see them on other guys rifles. Looks like it starts out as a 1/2 inch or 7/16ths size for the first several inches and then 3/8ths inch the rest of the way. Lathe? or just scrape/sand it down that way?

Thanks...Bob

 

[750k2]

I chuck them in a drill and spin and sand.
Sand paper gets hot so watch out.
Check your original if you have one with calipers and have at
it - long ones require toe dexterity.
I have extras for all mine - worked for me

 

Here's a scraper made by Tom Curan

It's a fantastic tool, just draw your rod thru it. Also you can put a block plane, blade up in the vise and draw the rod over it.

Bill

 

[kbuck]

Sorry I can't recall the post date, but someone put up a link recently to some youtube videos of using the drill and hacksaw blade method to form a round ram rod out of a split or square piece of stock. Seemed to do a fast job. I would search youtube.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have a woodturners lathe. I also have a machinists chuck that fits on the lathe. At the lowest speed setting, I simply chuck the big end, hold the other in my hand with coarse sandpaper around the ramrod and turn on the power. Run the sandpaper up and down the rod with more time spent at the small end. It takes time but works well. As long as you are holding the rod, it will not whip around. Finish up with finer grits of paper. I used to use a regular, corded, hand drill. Works fine but the higher speed can cause heat and care must be used. I'm sure the scrapers work also, but this is what I use.

 

[MSW]

Bill, that's a great looking tool ... i use the drill and sandpaper method, but i like your idea better.

 

Tom generally sells them at shows like Dixons. But you can contact him a www.tomcuran dot com. The tool will let you taper in no time. There's four different cutouts. you just draw the rod thru it.

Bill

 

[Rifleman1776]

Tom generally sells them at shows like Dixons. But you can contact him a www.tomcuran dot com. The tool will let you taper in no time. There's four different cutouts. you just draw the rod thru it.

Bill

Couldn't find him with that url.

 

[nmdd]

tcuran.com

 

[hawkeye2]

I can't find him using that info either.

 

Sorry guys,try this http://tcurran.com/

Can't spell

Bill

 

Don't forget to look at Tom's Yeager, and click on the pic's to enlarge and see the detail of the engraving. Tom had it at Dixon's a couple of years ago. Most of the guy's there had trouble keeping the drool off of it.

Bill

 

[Birddog6]

Acer's RR scraping tool works great. I bought 2 of them, as by having 2 I can always find them both, have one can never find it....... :idunno:

But anyway, I buy my RR blanks form Steve Bailey & you can mount one of these tools of Acers in a vice & taper or slim a RR lickety split..... Good tool, good steel, I am really pleased with them. If Tom makes it, it will be quality for sure......

Keith Lisle