Whats the secret to making Z-BENDs?

[moy71]

Hello all.

I've been trying to make a perfect z-bend on my pushrods using 2 pliers. Result? keep getting rounded bends (more like a C-bend). What's the secret to making a z-bend? How can i make it 90 deg bend?

rgds

[GHMBO]

There is a special tool that looks like pliers that make them. I don't have this tool, but I have seen it advertized in the magizines. I use the two plier method and settle for a small radius.
Jim

[CalmAir]

I used 2 pairs of needle nosed pliers to make the Z bends. Although this worked, it was never as perfect as I would like. I went to my local hobby shop and purchased a set of Z bend pliers. They were $15 and well worth it. Just mark where you want the bend and it makes a beautiful Z bend with one squeeze.

If you plan on making more pushrods in the future I highly recommend the Z bend pliers. Otherwise, maybe some of the scratch builders out here can give you another option on making them.

Dale

[2NG]

There is a cheapest way to make a z-bend. Just use an ordinary pliers. Or on your bench, make pegs, as to the length of your Z's and start bending:)

GHMBO,

Got a preview on the Cub, on the photo section.

[redrunner]

The best way that I know how is to use the manufacturors z bend for the control horns and a Du Bro's servo adaptor. It is a small conector that smaps onto your servo arm. With a hole in the nut you feed the push rod through and tighten the screw down on the push rod. These are the best for tuning up your control surfaces and real easy to assemble. Five minutes and you are tweeked in and ready to fly!

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Moy71,
Depending on the wire you are using, I have found a technique that makes really professional looking Z bends with one pair of pliers. Make the first bend 90 deg., and as long as you want the keeper leg. Now, grip the wire with this leg in the plier jaws and the jaws 90 deg. to the main wire, and make this bend 90 dg. You should now have a rod with a short leg at 90 deg., and the top leg pointing sideways to the main wire. Finally, grab the sideways leg and twist it until it forms the Z. Unless your wire is unusually brittle, this will give you a really neat bend. Practice on solder or soft wire and you will se what I mean.
Regards, dave

[2NG]

From what I have describe earlier, and what Dave have mention is details, is the trick to making the Z-bends.

Also, Redrunner is talking about the micro servo adapters, which is great for my own application. I kinnda hate the Z bends myself, because you have to unscrew the Horns to be able to do anything to the tail/rudder area.

I like the micro adapter, cheap too:D

[Vince]

And then there is this ultra light solution
http://www.nyblimp.com/blimps/MB/build/pushrods.htm

[clawson]

One of the UK model magazines, on its hints and tips page had what looked like a good idea for Z-bending and that was to buy a cheap pair of pliers that you don't mind dedicating to the task (just a few dollars from a local hardware store) and then actually drill a hole into one of the "jaws" that is just a fraction over the diameter of the steel rods you normally want to bend and is placed in the centre of the jaw, inset from the front edge by the depth of the Z you want to make. You then make the first 90deg bend as normal and then poke the wire through the hole, close the jaws and then bend up against the front, flat edge of the jaws.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words but, unfortunately, I can't easily produce a picture here! :confused: So I hope that description makes sense.

Cliff Lawson

[clawson]

OK, showing that my artistic skills know no bounds, here's a sketch of what I mean that I just tried to draw in PaintShop Pro....

[2NG]

clawson,

Man, you can draw better than I can, and that's a clever idea, by the way:)