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Custom Carbon Fiber Pushrods

What you need!
Items you need.
Pushrods for R/C Airplanes! This turtorial outlines how to make custom fit, lightweight, and super strong pushrods for your Giant Scale (or smaller!) R/C Airplane.

Here's the list of items you will need:
  • Carbon Fiber Pushrod End Connectors. These are available at Thunderboltrc.com at this link: Click Here
  • Carbon Rod - We use 3/16" Carbon Rod that fits the Carbon Fiber Pushrod End Connectors. These are available at Thunderboltrc.com at this link: Click Here
  • JB Weld - Cold Welding Epoxy
  • Acetone
  • Heat Shrink Tubing - 10mm or 1/3" This is available at Thunderboltrc.com at this link: Click Here
  • Sandpaper
  • Dremel with a small abrasive tip.

Prep Work

Carbon Rod
The first step is to cut the Carbon Rod to length (for your application). Make sure to account for the length of the threads on the Carbon Fiber Pushrod End Connectors (The threads can be cut to length if required).

When cutting the Carbon Rod, make sure to wear eye protection and lung protection (filtered mask). Carbon Fiber dust is nasty, and can do a lot of damage to your health! Use caution!

Make sure you Carbon Rod cuts are square! You can use a hacksaw or a Dremel cut off wheel to easily cut the Carbon Rod.

Sand the Carbon Fiber Rod and CF Pushrod Connector

Carbon Fiber Rod end sanded
Dremel CF Pushrod Connector
Prepare the Carbon Fiber Rod by lightly sanding the end of the rod with sandpaper. This will provide some extra grip for the JB Weld. You can also use a small abrasive bit on your Dremel tool to rough up the inside of the Carbon Fiber Pushrod End Connector. Clean both parts with the Acetone for a strong bond.




Mix the JB Weld

Mix JB Weld
Carefully mix up the JB Weld. Make sure to use equal parts of each tube.








Apply the JB Weld to Carbon Rod and CF Pushrod End Connector

JB Weld on CF
JB Weld on CF Pushrod end
Apply the JB Weld to the Carbon Rod and the CF Pushrod End Connector.








Join the CF Pushrod End Connector to the Carbon Rod

Join the CF Pushrod End Connector to the Carbon Rod
Join the Carbon Fiber Pushrod End Connector to the Carbon Fiber Rod. Make sure the Carbon Fiber Rod is fully inserted. Use Acetone to remove any excess JB Weld.

Allow the JB Weld to cure for 24 hours.






Apply Heatshrink Tubing

Apply Heat Shrink Tubing to the Pushrod Assembly
Apply a Length of Heat Shrink Tubing Pushrod Assembly. The Heat Shrink Tubing will keep dirt, fuel and oil out of the joint. It also looks great.

Shrink the tubing and trim it.






Pushrod Complete

Apply Heat Shrink Tubing to the Pushrod Assembly
Done! Add a ball link or clevis and you are ready to go!.