Ben,

You might consider geting some small washers and placing one on the topps of your ball links. That way if the rod ever slides off the ball you will still have control..They do that on full scale I do it to all my ball inks you can get a package of washers from Home Depot for pennies each.

I did my screws like yours Just cut the hrad off with a dremmel when I was satasfied with the length

Did you put some epoxy on the threads before you screwed the screw in?

If you do this the balck plastic nut is not needed I have 170 i5 minute flights on mine(over 42 hours flying time) and Have NEVER had a problem with a control linkage...I am getting ready to build a 33% 260 with BME 110 and I am doing it the same way.

Dan