has anyone made there own wads? what to make them from?

I know you can use corn meal and glitter (jk) for a buffer.

.50 caliber rifle.. you need a 1/2 inch hollow hole punch. A 9/16th will also work. Then you go to the hardware/lumber yard and get 100% wool insulation felt. The stuff you lay along jams and plates when you set doors and windows. It comes in different widths, so I always get the widest. Then punch out as many as you like. Melt some bore butter, and drop them in there. Pull them out, lay them on wax paper and let them dry.

I punch my own for my 1851 Navy, but not for the .50 yet.
For the .44, I took a .45 colt brass case and drilled out the primer pocket, attached one of the mandrels for my dremel, and sharpened the mouth of the case. I attach the jury rigged contraption to my dremel and fly through a piece of felt, making perfectly round .452 wads , perfect for stuffing over the powder in a revolver. I can get a hundred done in a few minutes.

if I got hold of an 1/2" metal pipe or fitting. would that work for a punch?

yes a 1/2 inch pipe with work, but you need to take a file and sharpen the edges of it a little so it cuts clean through the felt... Hollow hole punches can be purchased for a a couple dollars at those cheap tool stores. I got a full set for under $3.00 . Harbor Freight (on line) sells sets of them for a couple bucks too. I did the pipe routine at first, and it was a PITA.

Hey guys go to a good hardware or tool store and look at the plug cutters for wood working ,I cut wad and patches with them and the price on the one I got was low enough that I would not waste time making some. Lee
http://www.cvfsupplycompany.com/woplcutoset.html

I will hunt around later next week, I gotta find 100% wool insulation felt before I do anything. check lowe's they did not carry anymore. I got a lot of hardware store around I will check with them, I'll look for both tools. I find something. look to save a lot of money

Check this out if you have trouble finding some. Lee
http://www.aetnafelt.com/