HI Dean and RCFlyerMike,
Thank you both for your suggestions. Per a few posts, including yours, I took some measurements of my DEPS setup. The rods exiting the fuse in the back are .070 (1.81mm) and they appear to be a tight fit in the sheaths. The best way I can describe the sheaths is that it looks very much like the clear atenna tube that I used to use on my scale planes to hide the long 72Mhz attenna before switching everything to 2.4. The CF rods look like a tight fit in those clear tubes to me. The two rods are glued and tied together to a .157" rod which, the other end of which is glued to a threaed coupler and what appears to be a 4-40 ball link. The setup calls for an Elevator servo on its side. I am going to order some .060 rod from CST, as I like this idea if it will free things up a bit. It would be the cleanest solutino by far. The more I look at the DEPS, the more I like it - that tail is a long way back from the CG and adding dual elevator seros looks like it would add a big challenge for proper GC.

The only other potential issue I see is that I am a little concerned with the un supported run once it exits the fuse ( the clear tubing is supported 100% of its run internally it appears). The unsupported run from fuse exit to hinge line is about 9.5 -10". I compressed the rods with a hard push and did not get any noticeable bow, but I look for some experienced advise if this run might require bracing.

Once again thanks to all for your help so far!

Joe F.