Making underbid Ram Rod brass pipe

[Steeltrap]

Ok, I've searched and found about a million post on how to make a RR pipe using sheet brass\metal. But I can't seem to find one about making a "solid" round RR pipe.

I'm thinking of just taking a piece of round brass, and drilling the center (RR hole) to make the pipe.

I know there may\could be issues with the drill wandering during this process, but those under rib pipes appear to be simple enough.....but I believe they are all solid. Not like folding sheet brass and ending up with the tab for pinning to the stock.

Any input would be appreciated.

[smylee grouch]

I have made several. I formed then around the appropriate size drill bit, filed a small flat on the seam and soldered that to the rib or barrel.

[45-110]

How can the drill wander when drilled through in a lathe?

[Steeltrap]

How can the drill wander when drilled through in a lathe?

Who said you can only drill with a lathe?

[Steeltrap]

I have made several. I formed then around the appropriate size drill bit, filed a small flat on the seam and soldered that to the rib or barrel.

Thank you. That makes sense. I suppose that's why I couldn't find anything on drilling.

[smylee grouch]

Forgot to mention, anneal the brass after you cut it to the right size and it will be alot easier to form around the drill bit.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Whether you make your rod pipe by drilling, ie making a tube, or by forming around a mandrel, when you attach it to your rib, you will be filing a flat on the pipe that pierces or almost pierces the cylinder.  This flat corresponds to the flat you will have filed in your under-rib, so that the hole in your pipe is continuous with the concave groove of the rib.  Just soldering a pipe onto the rib without this filing will result in a poor set up with a gap between your rod and the rib.  To my eye, this is poor workmanship.

[Clark Badgett]

How can the drill wander when drilled through in a lathe?

Because most people don’t know how to prep a drill for drilling brass/bronze/copper.

[Steeltrap]

Whether you make your rod pipe by drilling, ie making a tube, or by forming around a mandrel, when you attach it to your rib, you will be filing a flat on the pipe that pierces or almost pierces the cylinder.  This flat corresponds to the flat you will have filed in your under-rib, so that the hole in your pipe is continuous with the concave groove of the rib.  Just soldering a pipe onto the rib without this filing will result in a poor set up with a gap between your rod and the rib.  To my eye, this is poor workmanship.

Thank you. Yes…I’ve read and saw photos of the “how to”, but it certainly bears repeating.

[Steeltrap]

How can the drill wander when drilled through in a lathe?

After reading my 1st response, I came across a bit snarky. I apologize for that foolishness move on my part.

[Steeltrap]

How can the drill wander when drilled through in a lathe?

Because most people don’t know how to prep a drill for drilling brass/bronze/copper.

Do you have a link or explanation on the “how to” of that?

[Randall Steffy]

May I suggest this link as an explanation and procedure for modifying a drill bit to cut brass properly?

[Clark Badgett]

May I suggest this link as an explanation and procedure for modifying a drill bit to cut brass properly?

Thats it.

[Steeltrap]

Excellent video!!  Thanks!!

[Steeltrap]

I thought I'd toss in a photo of my stock as received with the barrel channel and RR hole done.

Here's the as received:


And I'm getting closer to where I need to be: