B142

MAKE: SynchroLite ~ Control - Flight - Push-Pull Tube

Weight of Tubing:

Steel	5/16" OD.	x 0.035 wall	= 0.1039 lb/ft.
Alum	1/2" OD.	x 0.035 wall	= 0.0612 lb/ft.
Carbon	3/8" OD.	x 0.030 wall	= 0.0265 lb/ft.	CST tubes

6 rods at 4 ft. = 24 ft.

At a difference of 0.04 lb/ft [alum to carbon] = 1.0 +/- lbs.

Testing:

The short crops from the 4 ft lengths can be used to test the epoxy adhesive in tension and the carbon tube in compression.

The fact that carbon will break instead of bending should not be a concern since a bent rod would probably be just as bad as a broken one.

Cost of tubing, per foot:

Steel	1.46 US
Alum	2.82 US
Carbon	4.52 US	x 24 ft = approximately $60.00 Can over Alum

Pros & cons of Swaged Aluminum Tube:

A large diameter, thin wall aluminum tubing will have good resistance to buckling when in compression, considering that its length will be about 4 ft. Consider using 1/2" OD carbon tubing.

Threaded aluminum is probably not a good idea.

The larger diameter will take up more space in the area where belts and rods are located.

Sources:

CST - Carbon Rods, Tubes and Pushrods

Consider using pre-made carbon ski poles, from Advance Composites, Inc.

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Last Revised: June 27, 2003