Making Cleaning Rods

I did this for a Chinese Hanyang and figured I'd pass on the how to if anyone else is interested in making the attempt.

Local hardware store sells 36 inch steel rods in various diameters. Find the one you need and then a tap and die set for the particular threading you need and you can thread the socket end very easily.

The harder part is the end with the cut out. For this I used a bolt larger than the rod, you could get another thicker rod and cut it also. Using a drill, and a hand file, I turned the bolt down to the right thickness.

Drilled and tapped both the rod and the bolt and fit the bolt remains onto the rod. The cut out is the tricky part. I used several drill bits and then hand files to get it out. a small cut off wheel and a dremel would also work but mine decided to break on my before I really got started.

So it can be done without fancy tools. Isn't real easy but it isn't that hard either if you have some patience and time.

The rod cost a little over a dollar, the bolt about 25 cents and the tap and die and drill bit around $7-$8 so not bad.

If you need a Turk cleaning rod, buy it. If you need a Vetterli Carcano rod or brass tipped Chinese rod that no longer exist in the marketplace, give it a shot.