Has anyone used the adjustable control rods (sometimes called turnbuckle) on jets?
I have seen them advertised with either 4-40 or M3 threads and made of Al alloy or titanium
If so, how do you use them?
I suppose they have a left hand thread on one end, so can you get fittings for a left hand thread?

yep! thats one of the strongest setups !
I do like to run a drop of thin CA in the ball link and brake free the ball by moving it when it cures for a totally slop free move.


http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/TBMLINKT6.html

http://www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/DUB899.html

i also like the H9 titanium links

I strongly suspect that these are not true turnbuckles? That they have right hand thread on both ends?

If they are turnbuckles then the question remains: where to get left-hand clevices or ball links?

Just get the ones from dreamworks. I love them and will now use them on everybuild.
Hanger 9 prolink (turnbuckle)

http://dreamworksrc.com/catalog/tita...ks-p-1060.html

Ball link (RH thread)
http://dreamworksrc.com/catalog/mach...nk-p-1065.html

Ball link (LH thread)
http://dreamworksrc.com/catalog/mach...nk-p-1064.html

In spots you dont want a ball link I use a few of these. They are not threaded so you can thread them on either side.
http://dreamworksrc.com/catalog/clev...ock-p-994.html


Back before I had a 12 channel radio I had to set everything up mechanicaly due to lack of channels and the turnbuckles make it easy.

Thanks guys, but my question is still out there.
Do these things have a left hand thread on one end?

From out Athenian friend's post I suspect that, if they do, we must use a plastic linkage in which it will cut its own thread?
On the other end I suppose we could use a normal metal clevis (or another plastic ball-link).

It depends on the manufacturer. The hangar 9 pro links are left and right hand threads, you can also get left and right hand threaded ball links from dreamworks.

If you are asking specifically about the ones from hobby king, then you probably should send them an email asking as i dont think many, if any here use hardware from there

Thanks,
That's the answer I was looking for. I had no idea you could get left hand thread ball links.

As you are not tensioning anything (proper use of a turnbuckle) then two right hand threads suit our purpose better and much easier to obtain clevis/ball links etc. Should also be locked with a nut.

The advantage of the turnbuckle is that you can adjust its length without removing it from the servo arm or control horn. Easier to fine tune. Then when you get the desired length you tighten a nut on one end (usually the std thread end). If you use a rod with the same direction thread you have to remove one end at least for mechanical adjustment.

Also, if you want ultra precision your accuracy on a rod with the same thread on each end is only that you can practicaly adjust in 180 degree increments of your clevice. The rod with opposite threaded ends allows near infinite adjustment.

Alasdair, ball links are widely available with left hand threads, in plastic and various metals, but in industrial sizes rather than model size even at M3 size, however that does give you lots of strength for larger faster models. The trick is to know that they are not called ball links, but rod ends. Google for M3 rod end

Thanks Harry,
I want to use M3 rather than 4-40
Maybe I will stick to steel threaded rod, as the length is infinitely variable and my LHS stocks the fittings.
As smchale says, turnbuckles are easier to adjust, but it has to start the exact size for the installation, and then you get a few turns of adjustment either way.

Nylon ball links will thread onto the left handed thread end of these turnbuckles no problem...New threads are cut by the turnbuckle when you thread it on.

KMac

Alisdair

"Conrad Electronics" have rod ends in M3 left and right hand ali with brass balls only removable from one side, can't find my link at the moment, but I have posted it before, perhaps a search may bring it up.

Mike

Yes, if you use the plastic ball ends like the Heli flyers do, the plastic starts out without threads, and the threads are forced into the ends when threading onto the threaded rods left or right.
John