Making some servo rods for my first plane and have a few questions:
1. What size wire?
2. Use 1/4" balsa or 1/4" wood dowel?
3. CA or epoxy to cover the wrapping line?

This is using standard servos and the rods to my elevator and rudder.
Jon

Personally I like using 1/4" dowels, and always use thread and thin CA for the wrapping. It also strengthens them a lot to "trench" the wood where the pushrod lays in, instead of just attaching it to the side. I'll use balsa pushrods on smaller airplanes where weight is critical.

I've also used zip-ties for attachment...this is quick, but if you take this short cut...it is IMPERITIVE that the wood is "trenched" or grooved, and I still use thin CA for extra security

Here's a pic:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/TipsTr...shrodbuild.jpg

Hi Jon1,

I always discard wooden pushrods when they come with ARFs I buy. If you notice, on most planes, the elevator horn goes down, so the pushrod has to push to get up elevator. I've seen lots of wooden pushrods (particularly balsa) that can flex if there is resistance on the elevator. You don't want this to happen when you are pulling up out of a dive.

I use fiberglass pushrods, like these:

http://www.dbproducts.com/cgi-bin/pe...R_ID=262850024

-Wade

I use fiberglass arrow shafts or 1/4 or 5/16 wood dowels for pushrods. In a 40 size plane you can use the 2/56 threaded rod. I tend to use 4/40 on the larger ones. Put a 90 degree bend in the end of the rod and put it through a hole in the dowel you drill.. Wrap it good with thread, not just once or twice, but wrap it good. I use either epoxy or Thick CA cover the entire threaded area. If I use Glass rods, I put the rod on the inside, with the 90 coming through a hole in the rod, grove a dowel that will fit inside the rod and hold the threaded rod in and glue it in well.