Garrett Morrison's Tech Tip!!

[torquen]

Ok everyone, are you tired of paying a arm and leg for strong pushrod such as the prolinks ect.? Ill tell you that I cant stand when it comes to setting up a plane and I cant decide what way I want to build the pushrods. I am never going to go out and spend 12 bucks for a couple of pushrods so I am always trying to find new methods. Well today I went out into the garage in search of a new way to build pushrods and came out amazed!! This is a easy, cheap, and fast method of building a very strong pushord. Here it goes!

First thing you need to go out and get is some 1/8" Welding rod. The number on my rod is ER70s-2.

[Temptation]

HUH?

Mike Darr

[torquen]

Now here is where you can decide what you want to do. The first method is a little more complex but still very easy. You take the welding rod and cut it to your pushrod length. Now you need to take a 5-40 Die "Yes 5-40" and cut threads onto the rod. The 5-40 die will start the process of shaving the rod down because this welding rod is very hard. Once the 5-40 threads are cut you can now use a 4-40 die and cut these thread in. After you cut the 4-40 thread your rod will turn into any 4-40 ball link or clevis on the market!!

[torquen]

Now my favorite out of the two methods. This is actually a little easier to do. You take the 1/8" welding rod and a 6/32 die. Cut threads on the rod with the 6/32 die and your done! Now take your favorite type of ball link or clevis and tap a 6/32 thread into the end. Your ball link will have more than enough plastic to take the 6/32 rod. You will not believe how strong your linkage will be. There wont be any worries about pushrod strength even on the longer rods being made.

[RappyMan]

Yea - Craftsman tools!

Time to buy a few dies now

[Stainless Skills]

Thats awsome!!! I am going to go try it right now but....

Can you buy a die like that at home depo or Lows? I have been there but had a guy tell me that threads are usually cut by compressing the metal with presses and not actually carved out, that looks like a sweet method though.

[50%plane]

Cool!!!

[Toro]

sweet.... and if you crack a weld on your trailer you can fix it to get you home in a pinch....

McGyver Morrison...

Staytuned next week when G tells us how to jump start his vehicle with a gum wrapper, and a bike chain.

[torquen]

Well, you can buy Die's and taps pretty much anywhere, buy the 5-40 is going to be a special order item. You might go down to a machine shop and see if they can order it. You can also get them online at place such as Mcmaster Carr for around 10 dollars.

The welding rod is very cheap and you can get that down at the local welding supply stores.

If your going to use the 540/440 method then make sure that you rotate the die in the opp. direction to clean out the threads about every 1-1.5 turnes. If not you will end up snapping the rod or get crapy threads. You have to push pretty hard the first few turns with the 5-40 tap because your taking off a bunch of material and it will end up stripping.
Garrett Morrison

[torquen]

Haha funny you say that Toro!! One time my buddy and I were out mudding in his truck. His front shock mount busted off and we were out in the middle of no-where. My friend had a clothing hanger in his back seat so I took that and his jumper cables and hooked up the cables to his battery. He has a 1200 amp battery and it was enough for me to get a nice glob of the rod welded to the frame so we could get back home. Mind you this was not clothing hanger from Abercrombie and Fitch "where you shop" but it was some chinsy thing with plastic around it that I had to pull back.

Garrett

[Toro]

whatever you say there "Hollister" Boy....

[Biff]

Sweet!!! Thanks G-DOG!!! My West coast Homey rocking the stronger/ more inexpensive tip.