FOR ALL THE DO-IT-YOURSELF GUNSMITHS HERE

[chief38]

There is one thing I have always kept in stock in my workshop for over 50+ years. That item is Drill Rod. For those who are not in the know, drill rod is what they make twist drills from, but they are just the raw smooth rods. They come in a gazillion sizes (SAE & Metric) and I believe I buy the set that ranges from 0.03125" (1/32") up to 0.250" (1/4"). I can not tell you how many times I have used these on multiple items including guns, tools, machinery, etc. There have been a bunch of times that I removed factory roll pins and have made solid pins out of the drill rod. In general, I am not a fan of roll pins and find that the solid pins never fall out, never rust and hold far better. They are also easier to insert and remove. I also found that sometimes roll pins can actually "cut" a soft hole to a larger size as in a set of S&W Walnut grips. Walnut is not very hard and after many thousands of rounds it can enlarge a grip's hole.

I've also made parts out of them such as N frame trigger stops, and other misc. parts for machinery and tools. I have made many specialized tools over the years. They are also available in different metals, different heat treatment ranges and different lengths. I usually but the 4"-6" lengths as I usually only use a small part of the rod. McMaster Carr sells them however I have not seen the "sets" of small lengths there lately. However, they still carry the full length ones. My stock is starting to need replenishing and I will have to look around.

Just wanted to give some here who might be able to use them the heads up. I know some here have sacrificed an actual drill to make a pin, but this way you need not do that. Obviously this post was geared more towards the Home GS, Tinkerer & general Handyman. Hope it helps at least a few.

 

[ameridaddy]

... They come in a gazillion sizes (SAE & Metric) and I believe I buy the set that ranges from 0.03125" (1/32") up to 0.250" (1/4")....

Refresh my memory
- Are the drill rods dead on, IOW, is a 1/8' drill rod 0.1250", or are they a few tenths to a few thou under size like the finished drill?
- Are they as hard as the drill?

 

[Protocall_Design]

I use drill rod in many sizes, but have never found an assortment like you show. All of mine started life in 3 foot lengths. Let us know if you find the assortment somewhere.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Refresh my memory
- Are the drill rods dead on, IOW, is a 1/8' drill rod 0.1250", or are they a few tenths to a few thou under size like the finished drill?
- Are they as hard as the drill?

The drill rod is precision ground to be on size (.125 for 1/8"). It comes annealed (soft). You make your part and use it as is or harden it to suit the application.

 

[mikerjf]

Funny… 3 days ago I made my first pin from a broken drill.

 

[kev74]

I get the 3 foot lengths and keep 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" around. I couldn't tell you how much stuff I've made from it

 

[jem102]

In its annealed state can a die be used on it and then hardened if needed?
Thanks.

 

[oldbrownhat]

...Obviously this post was geared more towards the Home GS, Tinkerer & general Handyman...

That description has my name all over it , ie "Professional Amateur." Do let us know if you find the shorter sets. It's easy to think that if McMaster Carr doesn't have it, it probably doesn't exist but that's not always the case.

 

[Protocall_Design]

In its annealed state can a die be used on it and then hardened if needed?
Thanks.

Yes, a good quality die. It works best on the smaller sizes, maybe 1/4" and under. Drill rod can always be hardened, it's tool steel, but be aware there are different alloys, and should be quenched accordingly, then tempered to not be brittle. Each alloy has a different heat, quench, and draw temp. This info is all easily available on the net.

If you don't know the alloy, you can probably get by with oil quench. W1 is water quench, 01 is oil quench, A2, D2, and S7 are air quench, etc.

 

[chief38]

I use drill rod in many sizes, but have never found an assortment like you show. All of mine started life in 3 foot lengths. Let us know if you find the assortment somewhere.

I bought my assortment so long ago I don't remember exactly where I got them. I might have bought them from the "machine supply district" in downtown Manhattan when they did that sort of thing. It was on Canal Street if I recall and they are long since gone out of business. McMaster Carr carries drill Rod, but I have yet to find an a full assortment pack in shorter sizes. 6" lengths is all I'd need for now. Like you state, the 3 footers sold singly are still available. Unfortunately, I never know exactly what size I'll need so it's nice to have a plethora of sizes. If I do find something close to what I have, I will post it - my supply is quickly dwindling down!

 

[chief38]

Refresh my memory
- Are the drill rods dead on, IOW, is a 1/8' drill rod 0.1250", or are they a few tenths to a few thou under size like the finished drill?
- Are they as hard as the drill?

Sorry, I can't really answer that because none are marked with the sizes on them. When I need a certain size I use a Micrometer to select the right one for what I am doing. The assortment I had originally had at least 70 - 80 different sizes but again, they were never marked so I can't really answer your question.

If I am forced to buy individual sizes from McMaster Carr then I could intelligently answer your question and I will if that's the route I take. Someone else might be able to answer that.

 

[Greyman50]

I Always mic any such, have to be positive of the size.

 

[USBP SW]

Interesting, I have always saved my broken/worn out drill bits for this very reason. I have used them for replacement pins and even to use as a slave pin? to assemble a Colt Gold Cup. I guess I'll have to monitor this thread to find out where I can get a drill rod assortment.

 

[Murphy's Law]

wished I had 1/10th of the expertise of many of you here. It's ironic that my Father was a machinest and I have 99% of all his tools. Even the drill bits are in decimal, fractions, etc. Somehow, I found electronics to be my calling and even Ham Radio (N6AO). That and 22 years Navy sparks.

 

[Protocall_Design]

What does everyone think about using gage pins?

Gage pins are hardened tool steel and precision ground to be + or - .0002. Most common are the - sets. You need an undersize pin to gage an on size hole. A hole and pin the same size is a light press fit. A pin .0002 under is a slip fit.

Using expensive gage pins for anything but measuring is like using a micrometer for a C clamp.

 

[Rule3]

Interesting, I have always saved my broken/worn out drill bits for this very reason. I have used them for replacement pins and even to use as a slave pin? to assemble a Colt Gold Cup. I guess I'll have to monitor this thread to find out where I can get a drill rod assortment.

There are a lot listed on Amazon
I do not know what I would do with so many>


Do you need a lathe to form them into whatever size?

 

[chief38]

There are a lot listed on Amazon
I do not know what I would do with so many>


Do you need a lathe to form them into whatever size?

I had an Atlas Lathe for many years but I left it at my Dad's house in the 1990's due to a lack of room in mine. One day I found out he sold it! Thought about getting another but I just can't justify the expense of restoring another vintage piece of machinery to turn down an item here and there. My current workshop is also 1/3 the size of my old one so space is at a premium. I am not thrilled at all about the new Chinese lathes either. In fact I won't buy Chinese tools or machinery.

In answer to your question, I had such a good assortment I always found the size I needed. Now that my supply has dwindled down I am actively looking for another assortment set, but as Protocall Design stated, I can't seem to find an assortment now. They only seem to sell them individually.

 

[Frailer]

I had an Atlas Lathe for many years but I left it at my Dad's house in the 1990's due to a lack of room in mine. One day I found out he sold it! Thought about getting another but I just can't justify the expense of restoring another vintage piece of machinery to turn down an item here and there. My current workshop is also 1/3 the size of my old one so space is at a premium. I am not thrilled at all about the new Chinese lathes either. In fact I won't buy Chinese tools or machinery.

In answer to your question, I had such a good assortment I always found the size I needed. Now that my supply has dwindled down I am actively looking for another assortment set, but as Protocall Design stated, I can't seem to find an assortment now. They only seem to sell them individually.

I generally buy O1 drill rod via eBay, usually from Zoro Tools or Grainger. I don’t think they carry assortments, but as it typically comes in 3ft lengths it doesn’t take too long to accumulate an assortment by just buying sizes as you need them. For anyone looking for a ready-made assortment, “drill blank sets” pop up at reasonable prices with some frequency.

FWIW, everyone should have a lathe in their basement; no justification necessary.

 

[chief38]

I generally buy O1 drill rod via eBay, usually from Zoro Tools or Grainger. I don’t think they carry assortments, but as it typically comes in 3ft lengths it doesn’t take too long to accumulate an assortment by just buying sizes as you need them. For anyone looking for a ready-made assortment, “drill blank sets” pop up at reasonable prices with some frequency.

FWIW, everyone should have a lathe in their basement; no justification necessary.

Nice Bench Lathe!! Similar to what I used to have. Yes, I am a frequent customer of Zoro as well - I seem to get packages from them at least once or twice a month - lol. Can't beat their 20% of "semi permanent" sales. In our new home my workshop is now one bay of our 3 car ac garage so space is limited. My previous home had a full basement (heated and ac) and I had a much more extensive workshop. All in all I can still get a lot done where I am now. Thankfully, my neighbor has a workshop with even more stuff than I do, including a car lift, Tig, Mig and Arc welding set up and we get along great! I used to have welding systems as well, but sold them prior to our move. We are constantly helping each other and other neighbors out - works out nicely. Neighbors reciprocate with dinners, lunches and a bottle from time to time.

 

[steelslaver]

Fastenal stores usually stock some. To harden heat till red and when a magnet quits sticking to the red quench in oil. I will be fully hard and brittle at that point. Temper a couple hours in an oven at 350f -400f will leave it around 60 to 58RC and less brittle. 800f temper and it becomes a spring

Your shop is way =mote organized than mine