I wanted a bellcrank for the choke on the DLE 20 I'm putting into my Pulse 125. I know light-duty bellcranks are cheap - heck, you can get two from Du-Bro for $1.69 at the LHS. I did this a challenge to see it I could.

The parts: A spare bolt, washers and nut, an unused Hitec servo arm (clipped, shaved, rounded and reamed) and two support arms cut out of plywood reclaimed from an empty clementine crate.



I drilled the holes in the wood with the pieces clamped to a back board, stepping up two drill bit sizes each time. After drilling I wicked some CA into the wood around the holes on both faces of each piece, then I pressed the washers into the wood with a vise. Put together:



The intent is to mount it on the back of the firewall. The last step was to add a backing plate for (a) extra spacing and (b) ease of attachment. It'll go about here:



I don't know that it would stand up to repeated use with a control surface but it ought to work just fine for the choke.


There you have it. This airplane may be an ARF, but this mini-project was definitely a build.

And I thought I was the only one using old clementine crates.

FWIW, Old DC2180 QIC computer backup tape cartridges contain a nice piece of aluminum that's good for fabing stuff like this.

Great lite ply!!! I'm a frugal cuss, too. ...and good job on the homemade bellcrank!