I was bending some Dubro 2-56 threaded rods last night and noticed that they were a bit easier to flex and bend than the 2-56 threaded rods that came with my Herr Pitts Special kit. Anyone know of a brand that offers these hardened 2-56 threaded rods?

somegeek

Bending a threaded rod is asking for a fracture in the bend.
I've seen the first and last flight of a large plane, when the bent threaded rod on the elevator fractured about a minute into the flight.

Only the last inch is threaded and not where the bend occurs. I learned early on that bending a threaded section is like bending a rod scored to break it.

somegeek

I have noticed rods being softer too. I lost an Goldberg Ultimate Bipe when my elevator pushrod flexed over time and broke.

solder a brass tube over the rod

There are two types of rods which are provided in most kits, one the is somewhat softer than others. I prefer the softer ones as they can be bent without risking the integrity of the rod. the harder one is likely the equivilant of music wire and is too hard for bending sharply as in z bends
I find that the softer kind is best for pushrods if properly suported as it can be bent.