Fitting ramrod thimbles?

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James Cooper

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What is the "best" way to reduce the ends of the dowel to install the ramrod thimbles? I usually use a very sharp utility knife and just do the best I can at whittling, but I still never get an even, snug fit. How did the old time gunsmiths do it?
 
I cheat and chuck them in my lathe and trim them to size then press them on and drill and crosspin.
 
I’ve used a copper pipe cutter wheel to make a nice even cut around the rod, then just use a utility knife to cut back the end so the thimble fits on snug. Then I cross drill and pin the thimble after I epoxy the end on.
 
I’ve used a copper pipe cutter wheel to make a nice even cut around the rod, then just use a utility knife to cut back the end so the thimble fits on snug. Then I cross drill and pin the thimble after I epoxy the end on.
+1!
 

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