You are correct Dab, The Tq rod are 3-4 inches. I believe that is what bill use too.
You version of making this skinned hinges sounds that the result would be great but a little more difficult to make i think.

I post a link to my Quickie site, there are some pictures of how i building my Quickie. Unfortunately there are only Swedish text but the pictures would tell some.

http://user.tninet.se/~jqv326g/bygga_sq500.htm

Thanks for every advice.

Regards Per