Author Topic: Ramrod hole not deep enough (Read 1915 times)

frogwalking · « **on:** July 31, 2022, 02:04:08 AM »

I have been working on a precarve for a while. The ramrod hole will work, but could be an inch deeper. As is, the ramrod will work for loading, but will be too short for cleaning. The front tab on the triggerguard is about an inch from the end of the hole, so it could be that much deeper. It is not worth buying a ramrod drill certainly. I considered cutting down from the barrel channel to add the inch, but decided not to weaken the stock by so doing. Is it possible to grind the end of a piece of low carbon steel rod to chew the hole that final inch? The stock is pretty dry and chippy maple. It t is not real hard and is probably red maple. (This is an 11 gauge smoothbore so I don't think I should leave the rod sticking out beyond the muzzle.)

Thanks.

Frog

smylee grouch · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2022, 02:43:29 AM »

Years ago I did what your suggesting using a piece of threaded rod. I only had to go about half inch. Make sure the rod is small enuf that it won't bind in the original hole.

Mike Lyons · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2022, 03:12:12 AM »

A jag or extension will add an inch or so. Just throw it in your patch box.

JPK · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2022, 03:17:54 AM »

This is a cold rolled piece of steel I made for drilling ram rod holes. You clear chips often and resharpen as needed but it drills straight.

IMG_0502 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

J Shingler · « **Reply #4 on:** August 01, 2022, 07:13:42 PM »

I have also silver soldered a drill bit on the end of a rod. I did turn a shank on the drill first and a corresponding hole in the rod for more surface area.

Jeff

M. E. Pering · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2022, 02:28:40 PM »

If I didn't want to buy a drill, I would do as JPK and make one out of 12L14 drill rod. The advantage being, not only would that be 1/10 of the price, but 12L14 is heat treatable, and you would have a durable tool. Looking at my favorite metal supplier, looks like they get about $15 for a 6 foot length. And even if it didn't turn out that well... You only need to go an inch.

Steeltrap · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2022, 05:06:29 PM »

The making of one is a great idea. You have the length and diameter you want\need. However, be very careful of grinding the tip. It has to be centered with the same length cutting edge on each side.

IIRC if those two lengths are not the same, the drill will walk when cutting the hole.

Bigmon · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2022, 09:08:10 PM »

I just welded a 3/8" bit to the end of a 5/16" steel rod, as straight as I could, and it works fine. Especially would do for what you need to do.
I have never drilled one from scratch, but have often opened up RR holes with it.

Pete G. · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2022, 09:28:35 PM »

Harbor freight sells a 3/8” x 48” bit for about $10. Not much good as a bit ,but will lengthen an existing hole.

J. Talbert · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2022, 09:32:30 PM »

This is such a simple fix with a ramrod drill. Is there anyone near you that could drill it out.
I’d be more than happy to do it, but I’m in northern KY. I’m sure you could buy a ramrod drill for less than the cost of gas for that trip.

Good luck,
Jeff

PS - well if Pete G is correct about Harbor Freight, that should solve the problem.

foresterdj · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2022, 03:50:21 PM »

I bought a 3 pack of 24" bits last year at HF, with plans to use for ram rod hole in a pistol I was building from a blank. Got my guides all clamped to the stock, chucked up the bit, pulled the trigger and the 3/8" bit wobbled around like a propeller, OK, that is an exaggeration, but it was obviously not straight, and I did not trust bending it back would ensure it would not wander while drilling. Luckily I had a different bit that was long enough for a pistol stock.

Not to degrade HF, I do get lots of stuff there, but sometimes the old adage, "You get what you pay for." is true.

Steeltrap · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2022, 04:05:18 PM »

Just a thought.....but has anyone ever used a die to cut threads on the end of a drill bit? Of course, then a drill\tap would need done on a steel rod. But just curious if something like that was ever done\attempted?

Or using a bit such as these: https://www.amazon.com/JEFE-HEX-Titanium-Aluminum-Plastics/dp/B091B1Y4C5/ref=asc_df_B091B1Y4C5/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532565192785&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=111165123220754918&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9006344&hvtargid=pla-1376248832803&psc=1 .....and then drill "beat" in the hex fitting on the end of a steel rod?

T*O*F · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2022, 04:36:48 PM »

Quote

Just a thought.....but has anyone ever used a die to cut threads on the end of a drill bit? Of course, then a drill\tap would need done on a steel rod. But just curious if something like that was ever done\attempted?

I have a 48" range rod that is threaded 8-32 female on one end with a removable knob on the other. I had a local machinist drill and tap a 5/16" and a 3/8" drill bit. Then I cut a piece of 8-32 screw and joined the two pieces. It's all I've ever used to drill ramrod holes and I can still use it as a range rod.

Bigmon · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2022, 05:10:47 PM »

Thats a good method, but what would happen if you broke it off in there?

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2022, 08:16:20 PM »

Quote from: Steeltrap on August 03, 2022, 04:05:18 PM

Just a thought.....but has anyone ever used a die to cut threads on the end of a drill bit?

I had a new 18"-3/8" wood drill bit and needed a 3/8" Ram Rod Drill. I turned down the rear end of the drill to 1/4" then bought a piece of 36"cold rolled steel rod from Lowes, tapped the end for 1/4" NC thread then cut the same thread on the drill. Cleaned the threads on each then applied a liberal coating of JB weld to the threads and tightened the two as tight as I dared, I let them dry overnight. The next day I drilled my first RR hole and it turned out almost perfect. Since then I have used it several times and have had no problems at all. I do turn it slow with my variable speed 3/8" drill and clean the hole quite frequently. Now I have my stock man drill the holes, let him sweat

Dennis
Dennis

T*O*F · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2022, 09:43:27 PM »

Quote

Thats a good method, but what would happen if you broke it off in there?

1. Go in thru the barrel channel and recover it.
2. Throw the stock away and start having someone else do it. It wouldn't be the 1st time I got PO'd and threw away a piece of wood.

I sure wouldn't ask others via social media how to solve problems I can figure out on my own. I like to live vicariously. I did get it stuck once. It turned but I couldn't back it out. I reversed the drill and proceeded to unscrew it. Luckily I was able to get it screwed back on, put my foot on the bench for extra leverage and was able to back it out.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2022, 02:32:04 AM »

It's really easy to make something to drill a ramrod hole. I made one once out of a 4 foot piece of steel rod. I just made a point on one end and then cut two spiral cutting grooves with a chainsaw file. Worked just fine and was my only ramrod drill for several years.

frogwalking · « **Reply #17 on:** August 05, 2022, 06:43:26 PM »

Thanks everyone. Thanks Daniel. that was what I had in mind. I did go by Harbour Freight though. I bought the drill. It worked and now I have a cold rolled Chinese rod that I can use. Cost less than a steel rod at Home Depot. Got it.

Frog

flehto · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2022, 04:27:54 PM »

When starting to build, used 42" bbls and later on went w/ longer bbls so had to lengthen the RR drill. This was done by drilling a hole into the end opposite the attached drill and soldering in a length of Allen wrench which chucks perfectly into a hand brace. All my RR drills have the length pf Allen wrench soldered in.....Fred

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Author Topic: Ramrod hole not deep enough (Read 1915 times)