DIY cleaning rod

[wch]

I need a 17 caliber cleaning rod and would like to save money by making it myself.


After replies from knowledgeable folks I bought the Outers 1 piece rod.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

save money?
Hoppes has a kit with 3 pc rod on amazon for under $10
I prefer a one pc rod...Outers 1 pc on amazon is under $15

I can't imagine making one for those price points.

[runfiverun]

I can't either.
a rod of cold rolled steel is close to 10 bucks.
then you have to make a handle, and drill and thread the ends.
and it isn't coated or anything.
a brass rod I would imagine would be 20 bucks.

[Mk42gunner]

I can understand the desire to make your own and to save money, but I don't think the two go together in this instance.

Making your own rod makes sense only if you can thread it for standard for caliber fittings, and IIRC .17 caliber stuff is threaded 5-40.

A three foot piece of brass or stainless welding rod would work, but how to attach the handle?

Robert

[Tackleberry41]

The materials most say to use in a rifle to not damage anything is really beyond home made. Yea a piece of steel rod is less than 10 bucks at ace, but not something you want to run back and forth in a barrel. Just dont see where anything is going to be saved.

[Garyshome]

So why don't you just use a coat hanger If your that cheap?

[country gent]

It can be done, with the right equipment. A pice of brass rod 17 cal would have to be .125 rod. Leaded steel or gound tool steel length. 2 appropriate bearings, these need radial and thrust both. 5X40 starting and plug taps along with the tap drill and center drill. You may be able to coat the rod with heat shrink electrical insulation. If the coated steel rod is made you also want to make a brass nose for it. Alot of work for what a decent rod sells for. I have made rods up in the past for large bores to have the stiffest rod possible. Problems will be finding this dia stock thats straight and true. then keeping it straight and true. Good Steel rods are spring tempered to help keep them straight. Also make the rod guide while your at it.

[wch]

Thanks for the info and tip about Outers rod- I just bought it through Amazon.

[koehn,jim]

If you go to Walmart you can get a 1 piece 17 cal for 5.50 hard to make it for that.

[RayinNH]

You didn't say what you were cleaning but a good method of pulling patches through a barrel can be made from a length of weed whacker line. Double over about an inch or so of the end, heat it in a flame and weld it to itself to create a loop for patches. This is how I clean my air guns.

[kingstrider]

Lol on the coat hanger idea.

[labradigger1]

Bore snake