Where can I get a brass rod about 12 inches long, 5 millimeters in diameter?
W.W. Grainger carries brass rod. There are Grainger offices all over the place, and online. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/guideBrowseMatches.shtml The nearest to 4 mm I found is the 3/16 inch diameter stock. 4 millimeters = 0.157480315 inch 3/16 inch = 0.1875 inch (slightly larger) Problem is, the Grainger rod is 6 feet long and about $9. However, it cuts easily and can be reduced in diameter without much problem. If you mess up one, you’ll have plenty more to try again. If the 3/16 inch rod is too large a diameter for your needs, cut off a length a couple of inches longer than you need. Chuck one end in an electric drill. With one person holding and operating the drill, use abrasive cloth bent around the rod to reduce it in size uniformly. Keep your fingers away from the metal and where the abrasive wraps around the metal. It gets hot. This goes pretty fast, so check the di
