What's you favorite way to put "Z" bend wire ends in carbon fiber push rods?
Thanks,
Motorman
Motorman,
haven't used a Z bend in years. All ball links now. The old-school method still works though.
1) Drill a hole in the CF shaft just large enough to let the wire go through about an inch and a quarter from the end of the shaft.
2) Find a dowel that will fit snugly in the shaft, usually you'll have to turn it to Ø. While doing so, create a few radial notches in the dowel to act as glue catchers.
3) Drill a hole down the length of the dowel, and then cut it to a length of about 1" (Some people cut a lengthwise notch to the center. )
4) Slip the wire over the dowel
5) Make a 90° bend in the wire just long enough to fit in the shaft.
6) Cover the inside of the shaft with JB Weld and smear a little on the dowel.
7) Insert the wire and poke the L bend through the hole in the shaft
8)Slide the dowel into the shaft flush with it's end. This locks and aligns everything.
9)Smear JB Weld on the OD of the shaft from the end to just past the hole and wrap with thread or braided fishing line.
I've done them that way for decades and never had a failure, including a spectacular demonstration of entropy when a bellcrank broke on a 60 sized ship. The pushrods were broken but not at the ends.
If you must use Z bends , Z bend pliers are one of modeldom's greatest gifts.
Chuck