Looking for ramrod drill

Before I go to the trouble of making one, does anyone have a ramrod drill bit (I can live with either 3/8” or 5/16” hole size) that they aren’t using anymore that they would consider selling? Track of the Wolf is out of stock and will be for some time.

I would also be interested in renting one, I could provide a full-value deposit.

Alternatively, are there any other places that sell ready-made bits?

Thanks!
Jonathan
Troutdale, VA

Buy a standard 3\8 or 5\16 bit then weld a corresponding length of the same diameter rod to it, and voila you will have a game is still that will cost pennies to make.

Sidney Smith said:

Buy a standard 3\8 or 5\16 bit then weld a corresponding length of the same diameter rod to it, and voila you will have a game is still that will cost pennies to make.

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Wat SS said. But only use a brad point drill bit. Other styles will wander. The brad point may also but that is a risk that can only be minimized with care. If you weld a bit to rod, when drilling, back out often (every one inch or less) to allow chips to clear. A long drill with flutes the full length will clear them, a short bit on rod won't.

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jstamper said:

Before I go to the trouble of making one, does anyone have a ramrod drill bit

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Jon,
If you are talented enough to drill a RR hole, then you can make a drill bit real cheap and easy. It takes no welding or brazing. I have drilled two gun stocks by just hand filing a spade bit onto the end of a chunk of round cold roll from any decent hardware. There are 4 main issues to follow: 1. Be sure your bit is using the whole length of the RR channel for guidance. 2. Drill slow. 3. make sure the void on both sides of the bit does not get over filled with wood chips. Excess wood chips that are not removed can cause the drill to wander. 4. Withdraw and blow out the hole often.
Top....is my RR drill, and note not much room for wood chips, this can be made longer. Bottom... irwin bit for another style of cutting head you can file onto the cold roll. The filed on bit does not work as nice as a twist bit, but there is hardly any cost and no welder.
Flintlocklar

I believe Track of the Wolf sells them.

Not great but passable and cheap at Harbor Freight. They have 25 inch and 48 inch lengths. At least they did last week at my local store. They have been changing their stock a lot.

The Habor Freight drills have a flexible shaft. They are sort of OK for making an existing hole a little bit deeper, but will ruin a stock if you try to drill the entire rod hole.

My RR hole drills are made from drill rod {unhardened tool steel} and a hole is drilled in the end to accept a turned down drill shank. Both the drill rod and drill shoulder have a small chamfer to accept the hi temp silver solder which is then filed smooth. No chance of separation.

Before I made these, I paid a visit to Fred miller who has drilled 1000s of RR holes and saw his drill point....it had a flat bottom. A brad point drill is OK but much more difficult to sharpen whereas a flat bottom is the easiest to sharpen.

The other end has a long, straight length of Allen wrench soldered in which accepts the jaws of a drill brace.

I have a 3/8 and 5/16 dia RR hole drills and the drill rod is very stiff even in the 5/16 dia.......Fred