What gage sheet metal for adjustable control horns.

[Donald R Olson]

I'm going to braze up some adjustable control horns for both elevators and flaps this weekend. I haven't made any in a while and I can't remember what gage sheet metal to use for the control arms. I have a little 20 gage (.0359") left over from another project. It seems a little thin. Wondering if anyone has an opion on the best gage to use. I was thinking 18 gage (.0478). Two arms with a slot down the center I think 18 gage would be right. I'm going to make up a mess of them as long as I'm doing it so I don't want to make a bunch too weak or too heavy. I will be using 1/8 rod.

[Donald Main]

I would think you might use 16 gauge. IMHO

[jerry v]

.062 in thick steel horn, diameter .093 in music wire. Longer replacement for TF Nobler ARF. No room for ballinks, 4-40 clevis used instead.

Jerry

[Motorman]

The Tom Morris stuff was 16 gauge alloy steel if that helps. That's also what I use.

MM

[Donald R Olson]

Thanks for the info. I went with 16 gage. Worked well.

[Juan Valentin]

.062 in thick steel horn, diameter .093 in music wire. Longer replacement for TF Nobler ARF. No room for ballinks, 4-40 clevis used instead.

Jerry

  I use .063 steel to make my horns and also use 4-40 links in the back of some airplanes that don`t have enough space for a ball link. I wrap some thin copper wire over the link then I apply some silver solder because I had problems with the link jumping threads and changing the airplane trim. I also make a fillet around the pin with silver solder since I heard that the pin had detached from the link and haven`t had problems.
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