Hi Jamie, Short answer, yes, too much work. (and I'm supposed to be retired!) It's a pity that all the commercially available ones are the wrong profile.
But they aren't hard to make, see if you can find a local engineering firm and give them a drawing/sketch. Show them some pictures as well.
Hi George,
I have a 12x36 taiwanese lathe, (It looks like the Grizzly G4003). 3 phase motor retro-fitted with VFD and DRO. Don't know if it would have enough power to do 3 tpi though.
2" 01 drill rod from victor.net is about $4 per inch, I just used mild steel. You can get hydraulic tubing in sizes that would be suitable, that's probably the cheapest option.
Regards
Ray