I've done some searching about pull pull setups and have learned a lot about geometry and tension. What I haven't learned is whether there are some cost effective alternatives to buying the hobby shop pull pull hardware. I know about the steel fishing leader, but how about attachment hardware or homebuilt control horns for the surfaces? I'm flying a .60 size bird with standard torque servos, so there's no need to go heavy duty with it.

I have on occassion done a few on old timers and and the larger old timer pictured has pull/ pull on both elevator and rudder primarily for CG consideration Also is a picture of my Schneider Sport with Pull/Pull done this way.

I use brass threaded couplers like these:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXD893&P=7

and flatten the large end then drill a small hole to thread the Spyder wire of about 16 pound test and tie. Drip a small bit of ca on the knot and your done. This is not steel wire it is some sort of synthetic, just like string but very durable.


John

Lately I've been looping the wire right through a standard control horn (just one one end) and crimping. Saves a few parts and a little weight. Obviously it comes at the cost of less adjustment and a more permanent approach.

I was going to try some left over fuel tubing for crimps on my next small project.

I use the steel plastic coated fishing leader, I have it in different tests for different size planes. I buy Dubro rigging couplers with the hole on one end and the threads on the other. They come in 2-56 or 4-40. For the holding/crimping pieces I have a lot of small aluminum and brass tubing. I just cut about 1/4 inch pieces, thread the line and crimp it. I then use a soldering iron and heat the crimp tube and it melts the plastic coating a little inside so the line will never slide out. It's been 10 years sense I bought any of the pre made kits and all my planes have had pull/pull rudder. You can make the back tiller from 4-40 all thread and buy the Dubro fiber ends . There are a lot of ways to do it. Like Joe mentioned, I have laced the wire through the horn and wrapped the wire and heated the plastic with a match enough to melt it together.

If ten bucks is to much, your in the wrong hobby.lol

That is true and most everything I use I buy at the hobby shop. Dubro pull/pull control arms kit, the rigging couplers, clevises. Only thing I use different is the wire itself and I get that at the Bass Pro shop. I do like the system I make up myself better then the store bought package though. I can select the items I like instead of what someone else thinks I should use. Saving money??? I would have to do the math but if I am saving some it isn't very much. I just get a better selection of stuff. I have made up my own control arms with 4-40 all thread but it is weaker then the Dubro.

I got it done. The packaged Dubro setup was $20 per surface, while my homebrew was about $5 per surface. I also have adjustability after it's all put together, which is a plus. I posted some pics in the "Tips and Techniques" forum for those interested.