Ramrod tip hollow/depression

[Rudall]

I wish to get a delrin rod to make a ramrod for my pistol and wonder about the best (easiest) way to make a hollow/depression in the end to seat on the ball. Or is it even necessary?
I have very limited tools available.
Many thanks.

 

[rafterob]

Use a ramrod tip

 

[ADK Bigfoot]

I have used a large drill bit to make a concave depression in short starters made of brass or aluminum. I don't know how Delrin would do with that. You could try!

ADK Bigfoot

 

[Rudall]

That’s the first thing that came to my mind as well.
How much, if at all, will a ball deform if the end is flat? And does it even matter as it will be facing up, just like a sprue?

 

[ohio ramrod]

If you have a lathe it would be easy to make a concave end. I make my ramrod tips using "ball" end mills( I am retired tool and die " worker so making ones with the proper radius was no problem ). But a common drill would leave you with "concave" end.Then holding an undersized ball (45 for 50 for example) wrapped in sandpaper would give you the desired radius

 

[Crow-Feather]

Put a ball in the vice covered with sandpaper. (not the vice, just the ball) Put the ramrod in a drill and sand the curve into the tip.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

I wish to get a delrin rod to make a ramrod for my pistol and wonder about the best (easiest) way to make a hollow/depression in the end to seat on the ball. Or is it even necessary?
I have very limited tools available.
Many thanks.

I personally don't think it is necessary unless you are driving the ball in with a hammer. I do prefer a concave end. If you don't purchase one already concave, this is what I use, Dremel 921.

Works in a drill also, just not as fast

 

[Grimord]

With a Derlin rod, and easy way to make a concave end would be to put the end of the rod in a vise, end up. Heat a 1/2" dia. carriage bolt head with a torch, and place it on the end of the rod. This should melt the derlin rod enough to put a concave recess in the end. Use a file to shape the edges, and you are done.

 

[Rudall]

Some excellent suggestions here, chaps.
Thank you very much.
Having thought about it a bit and considered Grimord's suggestion, perhaps the best way would be to heat up a lead ball and use that to melt the end of the delrin rod, then it would be exactly the right shape.

 

[Grimord]

Heating up a lead ball hot enough to melt the derlin might make the ball too soft and a whole lot harder to handle. I have done several rods using the heated carriage bolt head. It is easy to do and safer.

 

[Archer 756]

Easy way would to buy a rod tip all ready with concave

 

[Pukatea Bay Boy]

Put a ball in the vice covered with sandpaper. (not the vice, just the ball) Put the ramrod in a drill and sand the curve into the tip.

That's smart.

 

[Rudall]

Heating up a lead ball hot enough to melt the derlin might make the ball too soft and a whole lot harder to handle. I have done several rods using the heated carriage bolt head. It is easy to do and safer.

Thanks again. I’ll try that.