How to make a ramrod
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I had to stop watching about half way 
Don't ever hold sandpaper that way, if it catches it will rip your fingernail off !
It is the dull knife that cuts you.
The first rule is never use a knife with the blade cutting toward you.
His knife was dull as a hoe, just the least amount of loss of control, blood all over the workpiece.
Don't do what this guy does !
Don't ever hold sandpaper that way, if it catches it will rip your fingernail off !
It is the dull knife that cuts you.
The first rule is never use a knife with the blade cutting toward you.
His knife was dull as a hoe, just the least amount of loss of control, blood all over the workpiece.
Don't do what this guy does !
HiDesertHunter
40 Cal
This guy may be good at what he does, and I skimmed through the video, but that was the longest, most complicated and drawn out process as I have ever seen for something as simple as a ramrod - and I have made several !
Harsh criticisms of a man taking the time to share a lifetime of knowledge.
Please gentlemen, by all means offer up your videos so that they may be criticized. I promise to watch the whole video before I pass judgment.
Please gentlemen, by all means offer up your videos so that they may be criticized. I promise to watch the whole video before I pass judgment.
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HiDesertHunter
40 Cal
The two follow up posts (one of which was mine) had NO criticism for the man personally - just a bit of critique for his processes was all.
However I will pass a bit of judgement in that I don't particularly find a pic of a guy hanging out of a window, flipping the 'bird' to all and calling himself 'The grumpy gunsmith' a particularly positive 'opener' to someone wanting to 'share a lifetime of knowledge'.
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Well, looks like it works for him. I am going to stick with hickory splits pulled through a homemade die, and dressed with sand paper and steel wool.
I did like the whip tool thing and the rotary step cutting tool. From a safety standpoint he could improve.
No disrespect for his effort.
No disrespect for his effort.
More complex then my work but he is professional and I’m far less then an amuture.
Ive often cut toward myself, way I was taught as a kid by my dad. Gives me more control it seems..... but I do have a scare or two.
I didn’t care for the flip off but as I’m a grumpy old man I was ok with him being grumpy... it’s not a fall back it’s a perk
Ive often cut toward myself, way I was taught as a kid by my dad. Gives me more control it seems..... but I do have a scare or two.
I didn’t care for the flip off but as I’m a grumpy old man I was ok with him being grumpy... it’s not a fall back it’s a perk
Sidney Smith
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Not knocking the guy , but he didnt have any knowledge that I didnt already know. Constructing ramrods isnt rocket science.
I too thought that his knife seemed dull, but then I also think he was cutting towards himself so that we could see it on the camera. That, and I don't know any other way to cut one by hand other than to do it the way he did.
Check out some of his other videos, I've found several good tips.
I will check his other videos.
I also have never seen flame straightening of wood. I will have a huge match stick the first few times I try that method.
If I could have just a little artistic ability to be able to make even simple things would be terrific. Instead I have to compensate by endless measuring, drawing to exacting size in mechanical views, and then using tools to perform the task.
Add in the time I need to do a simple task to make something and it's a wonder I ever get anything done.
I also have never seen flame straightening of wood. I will have a huge match stick the first few times I try that method.
If I could have just a little artistic ability to be able to make even simple things would be terrific. Instead I have to compensate by endless measuring, drawing to exacting size in mechanical views, and then using tools to perform the task.
Add in the time I need to do a simple task to make something and it's a wonder I ever get anything done.
I have, its a very old technique used to straighten wood arrows. You can also use a heat gun or a burnishing stick. You'd be surprised how straight you can get a branch using that method. It comes in handy should you find yourself needing to make one on a hunting trip.
I don't think artists have much fear of making mistakes.
Humor is a great "opener". When humor predicates a presentation it sets the tone. It also releases chemicals in the brain that enhance memory formation and lower stress.
I have much sympathy for those who cannot see the value of humor in life and instead choose to be offended.
I prefer a basic standard of acceptable behavior. Spent too long in the Marines to not have a sense of humor or intolerance for foul language/gestures, but in a public video that gets posted to the internet....no.
Work as a teaching assistant in a High School since I retired, spend a lot of time teaching the students to express themselves in a coherent proper way. It goes a long way when you get a job, especially if you deal with the public.
Don
Work as a teaching assistant in a High School since I retired, spend a lot of time teaching the students to express themselves in a coherent proper way. It goes a long way when you get a job, especially if you deal with the public.
Don
My ramrod straightening procedure consists of a heat gun and a piece of aluminum angle as a reflector to concentrate the heat, I can heat a ramrod to scorching hot in 15 seconds with no burning.
Kid Shelleen
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I have absolutely no objection to archival footage of John Hancock waving to British troops as they march past.
Is the angle just for a heat shield or does it help straighten by laying in the V ?
I've always done it by bending by eye.
I remember having teachers in school that thought they could treat students like soldiers . High School is where a hatred of learning is beaten into the psyche of many.
A well disciplined soldier would reserve his public comment and simply not watch the video if they found it offensive.
I won't even watch it due of the thumbnail. If the posting individual wants more viewership, ( at least from me...) change the thumbnail. I'm not impressed.
