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Old 06-06-2008 | 09:15 PM
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Hossfly
 
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From: New Caney, TX
Default RE: Any advantage to wood push rods?


ORIGINAL: gaRCfield

I just got my Dolphin today. Has wood push rods. I also have the rods left over from the Nexstar, and am wondering if I should change them out. Is there any benefit of wood push rods?

Thanks.
Benefit? Not that I know of. OTOH they work however I have not used one since 1972.

If you use one, be certain the wire connectors are supported between the wood/carbon and the horns, plus another support at ever 18" minimum. Just some wood strips every 18" or so will suffice. Like the # sign and can be just as leaning. What you want is to stop any sway in any direction caused by G-Loads. In addition, stopping any fluctuations (flutter) created by vibrations and/or g-loads.
These fluctuations are like control flutter which they can well initiate, and can play havoc on a servo's insides. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The best long distance pushrod is a wire 1/16 to 3/32 in a well supported plastic / glass tube.

Back in the early '70s I knew a young fellow well on his way to the top of Pattern that was losing more than his share of models, mostly due to servo failure. I looked over one with dowel pushrods, explained my thesis, he revamped his wooden pushrods with the supports, and 2 years later he had not lost an airplane. He flew in the early Tournament of Champions but we lost touch so I don't know where he went to as I soon returned to the Republic.