I wonder, for the SRM rods,
...is the billet forged (hot or cold?) to a very high strength rectangular shape, then machined?
...is the rod forged to near its final shape then cleaned up by machining?
...is the final shape after forging so good that it does not need machining other than big end, small end and bolt holes?
One thing I am rather certain of, you can't just go to your local metals yard and buy a block of 6061-T6, machine it yourself, and end up with the same product. Did I mention that these rods do not require small-end bushes?
Richard L.