Try a Semisane Flush Rod

[Semisane]

One of the projects I've had in the back of my mind was to make a flush rod that would ease the cleaning of a muzzle loader bore. I wanted a rod that would pump water our of the end, but still allow mounting a brush or cotton swab on the end of the rod. Well, I've succeeded in making one that works darn well.

Here's what I did.

I went to my local Ace Hardware and bought the following six items.



The items are as follows (left to right / top row first):

10 ft of 3/8"� OD x 1/4"� ID Vinyl Tubing @ $0.29 per foot - $2.90
5/16"� OD x ½"� Length Threaded Aluminum Spacer w/10-32 Thread - $0.65
1/4"� HB x 1/4"� MPT Hose Barb - $1.79
1/2"� x 1/4"� MPT Hose Barb - $2.99
3/4"� x 1/2"� Hose Adapter - $3.99
11/32"� x .014 x 36"� Brass Tube - $4.99
TOTAL: $17.31 plus tax

Here's a close up of the smaller parts.



The key part is the 10-32 threaded aluminum spacer. It's a slip fit into the brass tube.



I used a fine tooth hack saw to cut four channels into the side of the spacer - as deep as I could go without impacting the integrity of the threads. This is what it looked like after the cuts.



Then I mixed up a dab of two-part epoxy on a piece of aluminum foil.



And used the epoxy to glue the spacer into one end of the rod - leaving it stick out of the end about 1/16". After the epoxy was partially dry, I used a small wire to assure the four cut channels were clear and not filled up with epoxy.




I used a little more epoxy to secure the hose barb to the other end of the tube.



Then I attached the vinyl tubing.



This set-up allows water to flow out of the end of the rod with a brush or cotton mop attached.



This is what a low pressure water flow looks like with no brush or mop attached. It's a great way to flush the face of the breech. I either put a patch over the nipple and lower the hammer to block water flow, or remove the nipple and install my Zerk fitting flush tube to channel the water away from the lock and stock. (Zerk flush tube is here: http://www.huntingnet.com//forum/tm.aspx?m=3378512)



If you block the threaded hole with a short 10-32 round head bolt you get a flow like this (really flushed the grooves).



Put on a brush and you get this.



Put on a cotton mop and you get this.



This is what it looks like flushing the barrel of my New Englander with the cotton mop on the end.



So, what do you think. Is it worth $18 and an hour of your time?

[revpilot]

I hope you patent it before this post.........that is creativity at its finest.........well done!!

[mountaineer magic]

That's pretty cool. I think the only change i would make to it would be to have the fitting changed from a water hose connector to one that fit my 2 gallon sprayer. then I could use it anywhere by pumping up my 2 gallon sprayer instead of having to connect to a water source. I might just try that.

Then again this is still April 1st

OK OK I believe you.

[Semisane]

Then again this is still April 1st

Aw, come on Chet. That would have been way too much work for a joke, even for me.

[bronko22000]

Cool Semi. Great idea. And I think Chet has a good alteration too. With the sprayer you could fill it with warm soapy water and get the ultimate clean.
Well done. I would really send that out ot get patented before someone steals it.

[cayugad]

while it is a fine idea.. its not for me. I will just use the bucket.

[mountaineer magic]

ORIGINAL: Semisane

Aw, come on Chet. That would have been way too much work for a joke, even for me.

LOL. I said I believed you. as matter of fact i already got my sprayer out and am going to build me a unpatented version tomorrow.

[mountaineer magic]

ORIGINAL: cayugad


while it is a fine idea.. its not for me. I will just use the bucket.

Oh come on Dave. A little pressure can make all the difference in the world. You were married ,you should know that

[Semisane]

And I think Chet has a good alteration too.

I agree Bronko. In fact, I'm thinking about making another one with a sprayer to leave at the hunting lease.

you could fill it with warm soapy water and get the ultimate clean

Good idea. I justtried mine hooked toa hose mounted garden sprayer filled with soapy water. The water wasn't warm, but it worked just fine.

[mountaineer magic]

This is a photo of my 2 gallon model ,prior to the re-construction phase. I also have a 4 gallon back pack model . I was thinking that it could be used at Rondys for a mobile smokepole cleaning business. Just filler up and go around camp flushing out smokepoles. Ought to be worth a couple bucks each. OK OK a little extreme, must be the entrepreneurial spirit kicking in. But in all honesty I am making one out of my 2 gallon sprayer.