Thanks I had a whole answer about ready to send and and the computer decided to do a restart and lost it all.
No the rod holders are metric and store bought.
One end of the bolt is just a stud I made that screws in.
The other end is drilled and tapped for the rod holder bolt to screw all the way into.
I through drilled the big bolt because it is easier to clean out.
The tap was as I said started on the lathe with a live center so it has no choice but to get started straight.
The tap has a small hole in the end for this exact reason.
Starting a tap crocked in a deep hole is a nightmare and you wont get far without breaking it.
The lathe is a wonderful tool for starting taps and dies straight.
If you look at the top of the big bolt it will be easy to bolt a flat bar on top and have 2 or even 3 rod holders mounted now.
Something he didn't consider before.
Worth