I'm planning a 1/2A Scale Citabria and the elevator requires an 1/8" hardwood dowel for the leading edge, which forms the radius and is also the solo part that joins each side.

I would like to consider using the 1/2A hinge points that Robart offers, but drilling through the hardwood dowel sounds like alignment trouble without even trying.

Any ideas?

Would I have to stack and drill the parts all at once, and then cut, fit and glue in assembly?

How about drilling the hardwood dowel first and using it as a drill guide for the softer balsa parts?

Are other type hinges better in this application? I'm trying to keep the hinges hidden, and want to keep the round dowel idea in its construction, or something comparable if it works better. I just dont know how well the drill would do through all that material if stacked up.

I have a Dremel table saw and a small drill press if that helps with any ideas and trying to keep it as scale as possible.