Author Topic: Ramrods (Read 3637 times)

WKevinD · « **on:** August 08, 2021, 11:02:30 PM »

I tried posting in "over the back fence" and had minimal response

Has anyone been able to find someone who can do quality ramrod blanks
Since Dan Putz's passing. My stock is low.

Kevin

Dave Marsh · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2021, 11:23:22 PM »

Apparently Dunlop Woodcrafts doesn't offer them anymore. That is where I got my last bunch. If you get into a pinch and need a few I have 3 or 4 left that I could give you.

Dave

bama · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2021, 12:05:24 AM »

Try Jack Garner at Tennessee Valley Manufacturing, I think he has blanks.

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2021, 12:15:11 AM »

Check with Ed Cain, a member here, he is the source for the ramrods I used to sell here on ALR.
Dennis

DGB · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2021, 12:53:05 AM »

Log Cabin Shop has all sizes..

DGB

rsells · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2021, 08:11:21 AM »

The last ones I purchased from Track of the Wolf. At that time, I specified hickory rods and they had some in stock. I purchased three different sizes, and am going to have restock shortly. Hopefully, they will still have the hickory rods in stock. The ones I got on the last order were good.
Roger

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #6 on:** August 09, 2021, 05:23:18 PM »

MLBS also has good rods.

Eric Krewson · « **Reply #7 on:** August 09, 2021, 05:41:17 PM »

The Track people are good folk, on one of my orders I ordered several 5/16" ramrod blanks because the one that came with my Kibler kit was beyond terrible. I specified on the order if they didn't have any without runout just delete that part of my order, no ramrods were forthcoming.

P.W.Berkuta · « **Reply #8 on:** August 09, 2021, 07:22:01 PM »

Many years ago I ordered several dozen each of 1/2" and 3/8" diameter hickory ram rods - can't remember from who at a very reasonable price. They were mostly straight with good grain flow. I bundled them according to diameter and as the same diameters were not all of equal diameters per size I grouped them and securely tied them into separate bundles so they did not warp. I suggest that you buy your quality ram rods in large amounts and store them in separate bundles and they will stay straight as possible. I do not buy ram rods smaller than 3/8" in diameter. If I need a smaller diameter I shave/turn them down to what size I need.

Jeff Durnell · « **Reply #9 on:** August 09, 2021, 07:37:09 PM »

I'm in a bit of shock. I didn't know Dan Putz had died. He wasn't very old, mid 50's? Anybody know what happened? I got a good bit of osage from him in recent years... best quality stuff I've ever seen. Great guy to deal with. Dang. I'm sorry to hear that.

Spalding · « **Reply #10 on:** August 09, 2021, 07:49:49 PM »

I just ordered a few 5/16” from Track a couple weeks ago and they are nice and straight.

Bob

WKevinD · « **Reply #11 on:** August 09, 2021, 08:23:06 PM »

I'll look up Ed Cain, thanks Dennis,
Appreciate the offer Dave but I try to keep a dozen of each around.
I started buying from Dan P after mixed results from TOW and Dunlap
Thanks for the replys

Kevin

Craig Wilcox · « **Reply #12 on:** August 09, 2021, 09:14:51 PM »

A good storage system for ramrod stock is a 3.5' long piece of 1" water pipe. You can generally get 6 or 7 RR's in one pipe, and if the pipe is half a foot shy, it let's you see what you are wanting to pull out.

I do not mind a gentle bend in my RR's, as it helps hold them in the thimbles while hunting. And a hot air gun on a bend can straighten it out pretty quickly.

WadePatton · « **Reply #13 on:** August 09, 2021, 09:36:37 PM »

I've got a hickory with a straight section earmarked for riving out when it comes down. It's up to my neighbor to take it down. If it splits out nicely I'll have some extras. If not, I'll have cook stove/smoker wood. I just don't fool with timber much when the heat is on. I'm going to try to get some 60 inchers too for the extry-long-bore folks.

Plumloco · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2021, 05:42:23 PM »

Hello All, Dunlap still sells ramrods. They will be at the CLA this week with a bunch. Plumloco

alyce-james · « **Reply #15 on:** August 11, 2021, 07:39:12 PM »

Gentlemen ; I use police zip lock hand cuffs. Keeps my ram rods straight as an arrow. Y"all have a very large choice of color and sizes. Harbor Freight probably has them, not sure. Happy hunting. AJ.

G_T · « **Reply #16 on:** August 11, 2021, 08:08:35 PM »

Might be worth someone contacting a good manufacturer of traditional arrows and seeing if they can make extra long shafts in hickory. They're used to dealing with grain alignment particularly if you let them know you're picky. Anyway if they warp some they are easy enough to persuade back to straight (or near straight if you prefer) with a little heat, pressure, and patience.

Dave Marsh · « **Reply #17 on:** August 11, 2021, 08:52:29 PM »

Quote from: Plumloco on August 11, 2021, 05:42:23 PM

Hello All, Dunlap still sells ramrods. They will be at the CLA this week with a bunch. Plumloco

Interesting as you cannot find them on their website or at least I could not. Thanks.

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2021, 10:53:59 PM »

I think Dunlap's website is the same as it's been since about 1995. Just call, either Daniel or Wayne have always been more than helpful.

Eric Krewson · « **Reply #19 on:** August 12, 2021, 04:31:18 PM »

I had an arrow shaft making friend who tried to run hickory ramrods in his $50K shaft machine about 20 years ago, he had trouble getting straight sawn stock to dowel and made ramrods with way too much runout. He finally gave up on the venture. He gave me 48 blems, I made arrows out of some, gave a bunch away and was able to get ramrods for some of my shorter rifles like TCs out of the good parts of the blanks. I am down to 4 or 5 of them but none of these would make a safe ramrod of any length.

Dan also supplied hickory arrow shafts to some of the retailers.

heinz · « **Reply #20 on:** August 12, 2021, 04:35:19 PM »

I buy 3/8 ramrods from Log Cabin. I have always been happy with their quality.

PS ramrods that are too straight fall out of the pipes when the muzzle points downward.

Eric Krewson · « **Reply #21 on:** August 14, 2021, 05:41:50 PM »

Being an arrow maker I can't leave my ramrods with any bend in them. The blanks come oversized so I sand them to where they just will fit through the pipes and slightly touch for a tight enough fit so they won't come out by themselves.

I straighten them out with my heat gun and arrow straightener.

alyce-james · « **Reply #22 on:** August 14, 2021, 08:33:48 PM »

Erick; Sir, I've been down sizing ram rod blanks for years to fit the ram rod thimbles. Especially
trumpet style. Sometimes I resize thimbles. Most of the time I make my own to the size I may need. Thanks for sharing your method. Have a good day. AJ.

JohnnyFM · « **Reply #23 on:** August 14, 2021, 09:24:31 PM »

Eric,
So your arrow straightener is a length of aluminum angle iron and a heat gun? Ok that makes sense. What’s that other contraption? Are you burnishing (compressing the wood fibers) after the shaft is shaved down to proper diameter?
Johnny

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #24 on:** August 14, 2021, 09:40:21 PM »

I don't have a special tool for the job like Eric does, but I just use a small glass bottle. Here's the philosophy on it: the rod is bent because the wood is compressed on the inside of the curve and relaxed on the outside or hump. With arrows no heat is required, but with hickory I can see the benefit. So heat the wood in the area that needs straightening, lay the rod hump upward on a flat table, and rub the small glass bottle lengthwise along the rod to compress the wood. Several strokes, then have a look down the rod to see your progress. If it needs more, reheat and re-burnish. the rod will straighten out wonderously and stay that way. Of course, the same goes for your arrows. Don't store your arrows in their quiver...that's asking for warping.

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Author Topic: Ramrods (Read 3637 times)