RE: Wood dowel push rods
Dave Brown fiberglass rods work fine-but carbon/graphite arrow shafts make excellent pushrods-archery shops have a variety of diameters and price is usually about $2-3 for 36" shaft. The aluminum inserts for broadheads work just right for epoxying in 4-40 or 2-56 rod ends. Much lighter than wood dowels and easier to work with.