ramrods

[frankie]

I have a vacuum for stabilizing horn antlers (scales) and wood. It basically turns wood and antlers into plastic. Would this work for really strengthening ramrods? Would it be worth my effort?

 

[Phil Coffins]

You should do a test and do a destructive test on rods treated and not. Then tell us if it’s works and if the cost is justified. I’d like to know because I had to replace my favorite rifle’s ram rod after just 30 years of use.

 

[deerstalkert]

i was thinking about just this today while making a rod!
i tried some heat treating but not sure if it had any effect.
keep us posted . might be a winner!
running a splintered rod into your wrist one time will let you know if any effort to avoid it is worth your time.
don't ask

 

[frankie]

You should do a test and do a destructive test on rods treated and not. Then tell us if it’s works and if the cost is justified. I’d like to know because I had to replace my favorite rifle’s ram rod after just 30 years of use.

I will just need to have the tank made. One that wont collapse under the pressure and the length of the ramrods. It will make the rods very strong. I will look into the tank cost and could do a lot of rods at the same time.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Make your tank out of steel pipe.
What degree of vacuum are you going to use?

 

[DuncNZ]

Could spray in creosote ? ,It may or may not be banned where ever you live , Creosote gets in between the fibers and lets them slide against each other making the rod very flexible , and smelly .

 

[Grimord]

Make your tank out of steel pipe.
What degree of vacuum are you going to use?

Could use a PVC pipe for a tank.

 

[FishDFly]

Could spray in creosote ? ,It may or may not be banned where ever you live , Creosote gets in between the fibers and lets them slide against each other making the rod very flexible , and smelly .

Creosote, good way to chemically burn your fingers

 

[user 34300]

I would experiment with epoxy diluted in a solvent. I am thinking a high vacuum as used in air conditioner servicing. Submerge the rod in the pipe, cap it, pump it down wait a bit, release the vacuum. The epoxy would rush into the wood and strengthen it. The solvent will need experimentation. It will boil under vacuum, some more than others. You will want to look at vapor pressures.

Or you can make a steel range rod....

 

[DuncNZ]

There is an epoxy product called Everdure , Google it , It penetrates wood and forms a very tough bond . I painted a rotten board in a duck boat with it and the boat is still fine 8 years later .

 

[frankie]

Could use a PVC pipe for a tank.

pvc is a great idea. I stabilize wood and antlers in a liquid called "cactus juice". I do it on them for people wanting to make knife handles. After I have done it the wood and antlers still look the same but they are stronger than a hard plastic. I will give the pvc or metal pipe some thought. Thanks

 

[The Appalachian]

I would experiment with epoxy diluted in a solvent. I am thinking a high vacuum as used in air conditioner servicing. Submerge the rod in the pipe, cap it, pump it down wait a bit, release the vacuum. The epoxy would rush into the wood and strengthen it. The solvent will need experimentation. It will boil under vacuum, some more than others. You will want to look at vapor pressures.

Or you can make a steel range rod....

A stuff called Cactus Juice is very popular in knife making to stabilize wood handles, and is exactly what you're describing. Viscosity like water, soaks in very deep, and requires a bake to cure the epoxy.

Diluting normal epoxy with any kind of solvent weakens it and I wouldn't recommend doing that.

Cactus Juice is the answer......

 

[The Appalachian]

I have a vacuum for stabilizing horn antlers (scales) and wood. It basically turns wood and antlers into plastic. Would this work for really strengthening ramrods? Would it be worth my effort?

I will just need to have the tank made. One that wont collapse under the pressure and the length of the ramrods. It will make the rods very strong. I will look into the tank cost and could do a lot of rods at the same time.

Here's what I would do.

Get a piece of 1/2" steel pipe that's at least 16" longer than your ramrod, and two steel end caps. Drill and tap one for a vacuum fitting. The non drilled cap is the bottom of the chamber, get a good seal when you tighten the cap on. The drilled cap is the top. Place your ramrod inside and fill the pipe with Cactus Juice just enough to cover the ramrod. Leave plenty of airspace so you're not drawing Juice into your pump. Screw on and tighten well the top cap. Apply a crap load of vacuum and let 'er cook for a couple three hours.
To "bake" the ramrod after vacuum use another piece of black pipe that's larger in diameter. Leave both ends open. Place a metal washer over each end of the ramrod at the very ends. This will hold the ramrod up off the bottom of the pipe as it lays flat on your bench.
Arrange a hair dryer in one end of the pipe and let it blow hot air through the pipe and around the ramrod for a couple hours.

 

[billraby]

It will certainly make a ramrod stronger. But if you are worried about breaking a ramrod while loading, you are not doing it right.

 

[frankie]

Here's what I would do.

Get a piece of 1/2" steel pipe that's at least 16" longer than your ramrod, and two steel end caps. Drill and tap one for a vacuum fitting. The non drilled cap is the bottom of the chamber, get a good seal when you tighten the cap on. The drilled cap is the top. Place your ramrod inside and fill the pipe with Cactus Juice just enough to cover the ramrod. Leave plenty of airspace so you're not drawing Juice into your pump. Screw on and tighten well the top cap. Apply a crap load of vacuum and let 'er cook for a couple three hours.
To "bake" the ramrod after vacuum use another piece of black pipe that's larger in diameter. Leave both ends open. Place a metal washer over each end of the ramrod at the very ends. This will hold the ramrod up off the bottom of the pipe as it lays flat on your bench.
Arrange a hair dryer in one end of the pipe and let it blow hot air through the pipe and around the ramrod for a couple hours.

Very well thought out appalachian. You are right, I will have to bake it. I will look into this. On knife scales I just use a small counter top electric oven. Thanks Man.

 

[The Appalachian]

Very well thought out appalachian. You are right, I will have to bake it. I will look into this. On knife scales I just use a small counter top electric oven. Thanks Man.

On second thought laying the baking arrangement flat might induce a warp in the ramrod. Maybe a vertical hanging arrangement might work better. Blow the heat up from the bottom.
I made a vertical drying chamber for gun stocks using a large piece of 6" PVC and a hair dryer blowing up from the bottom. It works good.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

The best ramrod ive ever used is hanging under my barrel since 2005.
Its a wooden dowel that has been bored and all tread installed in the center.
There is brass over then ends to incorporate both sizes of bore accessories.

Virtually Indestructible Ramrod
R.D. Brandt & Assoc. Inc.
2504 Commonwealth Ave.
San Diego, CA 92104

Phone: 619-283-6659 [email protected]

Dont know if he is still around tho

 

[frankie]

The best ramrod ive ever used is hanging under my barrel since 2005.
Its a wooden dowel that has been bored and all tread installed in the center.
There is brass over then ends to incorporate both sizes of bore accessories.

that sounds great.

 

[FPDoc]

Hey, I've got an idea.. came to me in a dream.. take a nice piece of straight grain hickory and split it full length so no run out and scrape it round.. wada ya think? I do have a 3/8" brass rod drilled both ends as well. Do Not make or use a rod with grain run-out, it WILL fail and you will not like the result. Imagine the sympathy you'll get from your buddies. "I saw right off... "