Guide Rails

[STEVE P]

I'm trying to use drill rod for guide rails. I also want the ends tapped with a 1/2-20 internal thead. I have a table lathe, however this material is so difficult to machine and tap. Does anyone have any suggestions? I also need the drill rod to be the same length. Any suggestions?

Can you buy drill rod with internal tapped ends cheaply?

Also, I would like to use some bent sheet metal forms for the structure.
Are there any recommendations as far as companies who stock certain shapes? Shapes such as "top hats" or "c-channels" approx. .100 inch thick.

[Kingbolt]

You could heat the piece "locally" (only the spot where you make hole..). Then it will be much easier to work.
By "drill rod" do you mean common HSS-drill ?
If so then it should be workable without heating too.
I have made tailtappings to 32mm and bigger. All it needs is cobolt drill.

[Mcgyver]

Kingbolt, drill rod is North American slang for round tool steel, commonly available and sold annealed. same as what the Brits call silver steel.

[Kingbolt]

... yeah, I realized that...AFTER I posted. I forgot to correct my 1st posting :frown:
Probably the most common steel I have handled too :frown: ...carbon steel
(1%) and as you wrote, sold annealed.

Based on that, I do not find it hard to drill/tap/turn. In fact it's good to work.