Swpeet 21Pcs Metal Round Rods Kit , 3 Kinds of Metal Materials Including Stainless Steel, Brass and Aluminum Perfect for for DIY Craft Tool -- Diameter 2mm-8mm Length 100mm

I reach for small metal stock more often than I expect—pinning a knife handle, replacing a tiny shaft in a workshop fan, or mocking up a part before I commit to a full-length bar. For jobs like those, the Swpeet rod kit has earned a permanent spot on my bench.

What you get

The kit is a simple idea done well: 21 round rods, each 100 mm long, in three materials—stainless steel, brass, and aluminum—across a useful spread of diameters from 2 mm up to 8 mm (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 mm). They arrive in a compact plastic organizer that keeps the metals separated and the surfaces clean.

On my bench, that mix covers most small-format tasks: knife handle pins, small axles, dowel-style alignment pins for jigs, and quick prototypes. At 100 mm long, a single rod is usually enough for a couple of pins or one small shaft with some room for error.

Fit, finish, and consistency

Out of the box, the finish on all three metals was clean and bright, with neatly cut ends and light burrs that brushed off with a few strokes of a file. Brass polished to a mirror in seconds on a cloth wheel; aluminum cleaned up quickly with Scotch-Brite; stainless took the longest to bring to a uniform sheen but didn’t fight me.

I measured the diameters with a set of digital calipers. Most pieces were within a few hundredths of a millimeter of nominal. I did see two outliers on the thick end that were roughly 0.1–0.15 mm oversize. That isn’t unusual for hobby-grade stock, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re fitting into predrilled holes or using close-tolerance bushings. For press fits, you’ll want to measure and ream based on the actual rod size rather than the nominal diameter.

Surface straightness was good across the board. I rolled each on a granite plate and didn’t see meaningful wobble—certainly nothing that affected function for small shafts or pins.

Machinability and tooling

• Aluminum: Cuts like butter with a hacksaw (24–32 TPI blade) or a Dremel cutoff wheel. It drills cleanly if you keep the bit sharp and clear chips to avoid galling. Deburr with a utility blade or fine file.
• Brass: My favorite of the three to work by hand. It saws crisply, drills cleanly, and takes threads well for small set screws or decorative features. Polishes to a jewelry-like finish with minimal effort.
• Stainless steel: The toughest of the bunch, but also the most durable. A fine-tooth hacksaw works if you let the blade do the cutting; a little cutting fluid and a steady pace help avoid work hardening. For drilling, a cobalt bit and slow speed with firm feed produce predictable results.

For all three, I had no trouble trimming to length and squaring the ends. If you’re using them as handle pins, break the edges lightly after cutting so they don’t bite into scales during clamp-up.

Real-world uses I tested

• Knife handle pins: I drilled 3 mm holes through full-tang blades and scales, then used brass and stainless rods as pins with epoxy. Brass pins blended elegantly after sanding; stainless gives a clean, modern look. The 100 mm length was enough for several pins per diameter.
• Replacement shaft: An old heater’s linkage needed a straight 4 mm shaft. I cut a piece of stainless to length, polished the ends, and it’s been running smoothly. If you’re replacing an OEM part, measure twice—rod stock tolerances vary more than precision-ground shafting.
• Quick prototypes: I mocked up a 5 mm pivot in aluminum first to check clearances, then replicated the part in stainless once I was happy. That workflow—roughing in aluminum and finalizing in steel—saves both time and consumables.
• Armatures and supports: For reinforcing a plaster repair, a 2.5 mm aluminum rod bent easily without kinking and disappeared under filler.

None of these require machine-shop precision, but they do benefit from having the right diameter at arm’s reach.

Organization and packaging

The included box is small enough to tuck in a drawer and strong enough to protect the stock. Mine arrived clean and bright with no oxidation or shop grime. The compartments are basic—separated by material—and I ended up labeling diameters inside each section with a fine marker to speed up selection. If you rely heavily on one or two sizes, consider keeping a “cutoffs” vial so usable offcuts don’t get lost in the mix.

One note: while the organizer closes securely, it’s not the tightest-fitting thing I own. Don’t toss it loosely in a tool bag or it may shuffle rods between compartments.

Where it shines

• Small-format DIY and hobby work: model axles, control rods, pivots, pins, and fixtures.
• Prototyping before you commit to full-length stock: test in aluminum, finalize in stainless or brass.
• Knife making and leatherworking: clean, consistent pins that sand flush and finish nicely.
• Light repairs: simple shafts where precision-ground rod is overkill.

Having three metals matters. I reach for aluminum when I want speed, brass when I want appearance and friendly machining, and stainless when durability matters. That choice isn’t just about strength; it’s also about how the piece will look and feel in the final project.

What could be better

• Tolerances: Most rods were close to spec, but I encountered a couple that were a shade oversize. If your build requires tight fits, measure and ream accordingly, or plan to sand/turn the rod down slightly.
• Length constraints: 100 mm is perfect for pins and short shafts, but obviously limited for longer runs. That said, the point of a kit like this is to keep short stock on hand; once you know what you want, order a meter of the exact material and diameter.
• Distribution: My set included one of each diameter in each metal, which is ideal for sampling. I’d happily trade one or two of the less-used diameters for duplicates of 3 and 4 mm, the sizes I burn through fastest. A “refill” option or size-focused variants would be handy.

Tips for best results

• Measure everything. Even a 0.05 mm difference can change a pin from slip-fit to press-fit.
• Cut cleanly and deburr. A quick file pass on the ends makes assembly and finishing easier.
• Use the right bit. Cobalt or carbide for stainless; sharp HSS is fine for brass and aluminum.
• Finish appropriately. Brass and stainless come up beautifully with a light polish; aluminum benefits from a scotch-brite satin for a consistent look.
• Label your compartments. You’ll save time—and avoid mixing metals—on future projects.

Value

For the price of a couple of full-length bars, you get a tidy library of diameters across three common materials. If you’re experimenting, learning, or doing variety work, that’s a compelling proposition. I treat it as a discovery and prototyping kit: it helps me nail down the best material and size, and then I buy long stock once I know what I’ll actually use in quantity.

If you already know you only ever use, say, 3 mm brass, you’re better off buying that one size in bulk. But if your projects vary, or you’re still building preferences, the assortment is a smart way to stay prepared.

The bottom line

The Swpeet rod assortment isn’t a precision-ground, industrial-grade set—and it doesn’t try to be. What it offers is versatility, decent consistency, and a convenient way to keep three useful metals on hand in sizes that solve most small-shop problems. It cuts cleanly, finishes well, and lives quietly in its box until your next “I need a small bit of something” moment.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for DIYers, hobby machinists, knife makers, and anyone who prototypes or repairs small parts. It’s especially useful if you want to compare metals or settle on preferred diameters before buying longer stock. Measure before you drill, expect the occasional piece to be slightly oversize, and you’ll get a lot of value from a compact, well-chosen assortment.