Working with fiberglass

[RobertSubnet]

Greetings all.

I am planning on making my own fiberglass ramrod. I will be ordering a blank 5/16" rod from DGW.

I have never worked with fiberglass before. When it comes to cutting,filing and drillingthe fiberglass are there any special precautions I need to be aware of?

Thanks,
~Robert

[wabi]

Been years since I made a fiberglass ramrod, but I believe I did most of the work of fitting the brass attachments by turning it an a chuck in a lathe and used files to cut it.
I would highly recommend a good dust mask and goggles. The glass dust could be rough on lungs & eyes.

One other tip - if you get frustratedor just plain mad if something goes wrong DO NOT try to vent your frustrations by breaking the ramrod!!!!!!!!!! (they won't break, and you'll just be more frustrated for the efforts!) [:@]

[johnny2]

If you get the right size rod,there should be very little fitting to do.
A lathe is a handy tool to have..I have a small Enco which works
great for things like that.I make all my own brass fittings as well..
Good luck..

[RobertSubnet]

Unfortunately I do not have a lathe. What I will probably have to do is drill a small hole in a piece of wood, clamp that to the base of my drill press, being careful to line up the hole in the wood and the press base. Then turn the base vertical-it is a small drill press. Then chuck the ramrod to a hand drill, put the other end of the rod through the hole in the woodand use the wood to keep the other end of the rod from wobbling...or something like that.

Hopefully I will not have to do much filing to get the rod to fit the tips.