"Normal" control rods were dowels in the past, they are very thrusty. You only have to cut them to the necesary lenght, make a hole to insert part of the wire rod, glue the parts and add a shrinkable tubing.

Follow step 21 of the Super Stick manual which uses dowel rods to have a b etter idea:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo...700-manual.pdf