I do most of the work on my lathe except for the cut for the link and the recess for the slide stop. These things I do on my mill, the rods are solid tool steel. I've thought about hardening them to reduce the battering but then it's probably made to be soft for a reason. I've also thought about making a lite 2 part rod out of high test aluminum and steel. The guide plugs are all on the lathe and fairly easy. Do any of your CMs have a small brass washer (same size as the guide rod) between the screw and rod? I have one that did and none of the others that I've seen/owned have.
L8r
Conley