So these rods are already attached and heat-shrunk to the metal rods. The wood ends are tapered and wrapped with what looks like electrical tape. The wood part is 16" long.

Again I'd like to ask why I shouldn't replace them with the metal rods from the Nexstar. Sorry if this was mentioned, somehow I'm just a little confused. They do seem to be a HAIR lighter, but nothing to write home (or to you guys) about. They are FAR from being straight (wood is straight, but metal part goes in at an angle at both ends, not part of design). And I don't see how to support them (no given hardware).

For the metal rods from the Nexstar, they are in good shape, plenty long enough, and the tubes are long enough to extend from the exit hole in the fuse all the way to the servos if I wanted them to.

Thanks for the advice...