Gary, I did use the stock controls on the flaps. Both pushrods fit the flap horn holes perfectly with no slop. I lubed them with a little silicon spray. However the kit supplied clevis pin is 1/16" and is sloppy in the elevator horn. I had planned to use a ball link, but with the bolt and nut, there's not enough room, even after I slit the fuse tail and spread it with a 3/8" square dowel. I couldn't find a piece of brass tube the right ID and OD to bush the hole with. I did find an aluminum tube that fits, but that will probably wear out too quickly. What do you think, is it okay to use an aluminum bushing? But I might just go with the sloppy clevis anyway. It's a metric thread so I can't put a Sullivan clevis on unless I make another rod with a 4-40 threaded coupler. That will be the only slop in the system, so I've about decided to use the kit clevis. I will have an access door for the clevis and weight box.
My metric threaded control rod
My flaps have Dubro pin hinges and are friction free. I'm really happy with them, they fall to full deflection under their own weight. However I got lazy and installed the CA hinges in the stab and am not happy with their stiffness. I've never used them before so decided to give them a try. If I change my mind, I'll slice them free and either install pin hinges or sewn hinges. I've had good performance from sewn hinges on many planes. Look at the retainer I put around the flap horn. This will reduce the load on the first hinge. Not only load from air pressure but the rotation of the axle is a bit elliptical. Seemed like a good idea to me.
Retainers on the flap horn axle
I'm just taking my time and getting it as sturdy as I can. I want this to be my contest plane for May in Triple Tree & Huntersville, and hopefully beyond. I'm getting to where building is hard on my creaky joints and I'm sure as hell not ready to stop having fun, so I pace myself... and try out my first ARF.
I hope you have a great time with yours... what color is it? I always wanted a Red one, but ended up with yeller.
Hopefully tomorrow I can post another report. It'll be looking like an airplane soon.
Rusty