Ramroads

[Maineshops]

This is my set up for ramroads. I use straight grained ash. Entrance hole is 1/2in exit hole is .324. I use a rip blade in the saw and that gives me a better finish than a cross cut of combination blade. I cut my material a little proud of 1/2 in across corners. This set up requires little sanding.  Dan

[Richard]

Nice idea. Thanks. I'll have to try that one.

[Clint]

I have used a similar setup to make ramrods from hickory, purple hart and locust. once you get things split out of the log and rough ripped you can make a hundred ramrods an hour. They do finish up easily, and you can setup for a pretty good taper.

[Jim Evans]

This is my set up for ramroads. I use straight grained ash. Entrance hole is 1/2in exit hole is .324. I use a rip blade in the saw and that gives me a better finish than a cross cut of combination blade. I cut my material a little proud of 1/2 in across corners. This set up requires little sanding.  Dan

So the saw blade is doing the shaving, as you turn and feed the 1/2" blank?

[Maineshops]

I turn and feed them with a drill. Should have shown that. I’ll send another pic. Dan

[JW]

What's a ramroad? 

[Top Jaw]

Is your saw cut centered on the the tapered hole, or a little to one side?  How much blade is sitting up in the hole in your set-up and where is it oriented along the tapered opening?  Maybe a simple cross-section drawing with the general position and height. Thanks.

[Jim Evans]

What's a ramroad? 

Ramrod.
Spell check probably did it

[Maineshops]

[Maineshops]

The entrance hole is not tapered. Just a straight 1/2 inch hole. Exit hole is about about .335.. the blade is centered on the two holes with the apex of the blade centered on the junction of the two holes. I would make that block longer in the future because if I dropped my drill below center a tad I cut a taper. I used a 7 1/2 inch blade.
The second picture is the fixture I use on the router table to make cedar arrows but for some reason it did not work on the ash
No ramroads is probably how I spelled it eyes are so bad I can’t see what I write.☺️ Got to really watch what’re my fingers are.

[Maineshops]

[Jim Evans]

Thanks  Maineshops

[Long Ears]

I must be slow in the head here. How do you feed the square stock into the round pilot hole?

[Maineshops]

In this case a square peg does fit in a round hole. In my case for 5/16 rods the round entrance hole is ,500 in diameter. The square stick is .510 give or take a little just to give a tight fit . The exit hole is .320 . The stick is turned with the drill and the blade is raised until the rod exits down the smaller hole make your entrance hole longer than shown in the picture to minimize the splinters it throws at ya. It hurts even with gloves on. Dan

[Maineshops]

Sorry... that .510 dimension is across the corners diagonal. You have to excuse my typing. I have macular degeneration in both eyes so I only see half a word at a time and I get creative 😚