Can I thread Ferrocerium rod? (Metal Match)

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

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Mar 19, 2007
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OKay - I know this is an odd one.

I want to make some Christmas presents with my new found milling skills and so I am making a match safe for my father and my brother.

With that I want to give them a good sized rod of Ferrocerium rod (Metal Match) and I want to know if I can thread it into an aluminum cap (that I am making).

Anyone?

TF
 
I doubt it.

Although it never hurts to try. You might just prove me wrong.

Alternatively I would machine the aluminum cap and fix the rod in with an adhesive. A much easier solution.

Jimro
 
I would also go with epoxy. I doubt you'd have any trouble milling the threads, but on the other hand, I doubt the threads would hold much weight. If you're really worried about it coming loose, I'd just mill a single groove in a ring around the rod and then epoxy it in.
 
The way these caps are being made - it really isn't the easier solution. I want to be able to flip the peice in the mill - if the cap was threaded I could do that MUCH easier after parting the cap off.

I am heartened that others have drilled theirs without sparks going everywhere! ;)

If I have to epoxy it - I can - I would just love to thread them - and then medium loc tite them in so that they could be replaced when need be.

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
The way these caps are being made - it really isn't the easier solution. I want to be able to flip the peice in the mill - if the cap was threaded I could do that MUCH easier after parting the cap off.

I am heartened that others have drilled theirs without sparks going everywhere! ;)

If I have to epoxy it - I can - I would just love to thread them - and then medium loc tite them in so that they could be replaced when need be.

TF
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Go for it. If you're buying a batch of them, it won't hurt to lose 1/2" of one to testing. Using many, tiny threads with locite may work. Without some sort of glue, just a couple very big threads would be the way to go.
 
I have drilled mine without problem. Just go slowww, if you go too fast you will get some sparks, but that should be a problem anyway unless you are working around flammable material.
 
Oddly I work in a petroleum factory where gasoline soaks the floor and the air is heavy with natural gas. Will I be okay? ;)

No - I will be hand tapping these - so I will go VERY slow. Thanks!

TF
 
You could always drill the cap & then pin the rod in. I have made a lot of them in the shop I work in & epoxy works great. I drill the hole in the handle about .010 bigger than the rod, that gives the epoxy enough room to get a good hold. wipe off the excess before it dries & it will look great.
 
TF,

Maybe you can use these replacement flints for a welding lighter. They're already threaded. Something like this attached to the cap could be cool if you could generate sparks by scraping it down the knurling on the main match case.

-- FLIX

21vjVbdmIcL._SL500_AA200_.jpg
 
Tim the Slugman said:
You could always drill the cap & then pin the rod in. I have made a lot of them in the shop I work in & epoxy works great. I drill the hole in the handle about .010 bigger than the rod, that gives the epoxy enough room to get a good hold. wipe off the excess before it dries & it will look great.
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Okay Tim - THIS post is worthless without pictures!

Seriously, I would love to see what you have done - and the pin idea is GREAT. I will try it - epoxy if that fails.

Thanks.... now post those pics!!!

;)

TF
 
I've drilled a few Ferro rods. Just drill slow and keep them damp/wet and they won't ignite.
But as we all know remember to avoid contact between electrical appliances and water !
:D

If you thread them please post some pics.
Heck post some pics anyway, sounds like an interesting project.
:)
 
I would love to post pics, but need better camera equipment. I use a Fuji disposable camera. I need to get a digital so I can post pics. or a least a scanner for the pics I have. I made a cool brass handle & a green canvas, & a rosewood one. I bought 10, 1/4x2 1/2"rods from www.bensbackwoods.com for $29.99. I also have one with a deer antler handle.
 
Tim,

A simple solution would be to have your film developed at a place that provides a CD with your pictures already scanned.

-- FLIX
 
I have drilled several ferro rods.
I do not have a problem with water and electricity. I use the cordless drill :)
Just drill slowly and keep the hole filled with water.
I once put a ferro rod in a vice and drilled in open air. It worked until I was almost finished, then a spark ignited the small pile of drilled out rod and the whole apartment smelled burnt plastic for hours.
It is totally possible to drill the hole free hand, without support from stands and stuff.

If you have a drill on a mount you can just place the rod in a bowl of water on table where the drill goes and hold the rod with one hand (you get wet fingers) and just drill. There is nothing dangerous with just a small bowl of water. Just drill slowly. If you drill fast it will get very hot in the hole and the drill gets ruined.
 
FLIX said:
TF,

Maybe you can use these replacement flints for a welding lighter. They're already threaded. Something like this attached to the cap could be cool if you could generate sparks by scraping it down the knurling on the main match case.

-- FLIX

21vjVbdmIcL._SL500_AA200_.jpg
Click to expand...

I think this is an AWESOME idea. Those welding sparkers throw a lot of sparks, and if you're going to scrape it with a file (or knurling) it doesn't have to be nearly as long as if you expect to scrape it with a pointed striker.
 
You can drill em, but I think the suggestion of epoxy is a much wiser option... Either way, Ya gotta post some pics! Sounds like a sweet project idea!!
 
why not just use the entire striker, instead of a ferro rod? i use the surelight at work. Its got a rotating plate that holds 3 "flints".
 
I just tried out a surelight on some dryer lint and it worked pretty good. It's a bit big for a PSK though.
 
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