Metric rod stock for rammer?

[sherpadoug]

I have an Indian Brown Bess fusil that I want to make a new steel ramrod for. I need a piece of rodstock 6mm dia x 38" long. I can get 1/4" x 3' or 6' anywhere, but turning down a long piece of 1/4" rod to 6mm (0.236") is going to be a real pain. I don't want to enlarge the tubes in the stock if I can help it. It seem I should be able to get 6mm x 1M metric rod, but I haven't been able to.

Any suggestions?

 

[jrdavis]

try ENCO...look under drill rod

 

[sherpadoug]

Their drill rod is only 36"long. That means I have to weld two together to get 38". Possible, but a pain I would like to avoid. If only it was a meter long instead of a yard...

 

I would try takeing emory cloth ,and sand a .25 rod down to the size you need .236 .
Start out with 120 grit and work you way up to 400 grit. You would be surprised at how little it would take to sand it down . Your only talking a difference of .014 ,not much at all.

Woody

 

[scott k]

Sherpa Doug How about calling some machine shops in your area. Thay should be able to get you a piece of cold rolled steel in any lenth and size you need. you might have to buy a full lenth but steel is not to costly.
Lehigh..

 

[jrdavis]

Another option is you might call Atlanta Cutlery
and see if they have rod from some of the guns they imported from Nepal.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Or someone like Dixie Gun Works that sells original and reproduction metal musket rods.

Dixie "Ramrod" search results.


How were you going to form the bell/button on the end even if you find 6mm stock, anyway?

 

[sherpadoug]

How were you going to form the bell/button on the end even if you find 6mm stock, anyway?

I have access to a lathe and enough skill to be dangerous. I did make a replacement lock screw last summer. I have a piece of bronze I was going to turn into a button and rivet it on.

My current rammer is about 1/2" too short. When I "ring the rammer" in a safety check I have to catch it on the bounce or else tip the musket over to dump the rammer out. Also the tip is shaped like a slightly flattened ball, and I don't like the looks of it.

 

[jrdavis]

How were you going to form the bell/button on the end even if you find 6mm stock, anyway?

If you heat the end of the rod to red heat and drop into a heavy metal plate or anvil you can upset the end...have to work with a hammer to keep from bending over but you can work it to twice its size by upsetting.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Couldn't you turn an end from 2" of larger stock into a "T" and weld that to the 36" piece that is available?