Make Your Own Z-Bend Pliers
Fly RC Staff
January 1, 2001
How To's
Z-bends are a traditional way to attach pushrods to control surfaces, but they can be a little tricky to make, especially when working with smaller sizes. For light models using .020 – .032 music wire, I took a small pair of jewelry pliers and notched one jaw (as shown) with a Dremel tool. Once you have the pliers notched, a z-bend is just seconds away.
Just about any pliers would work, but they should have a thin tip. The width doesnt matter. Be sure to use safety glasses, and a fiber-reinforced cutoff wheel such as the Dremel #426, #456 or an equivalent. These photos show the whole story using a piece of .025 K&S music wire, readily available from most hobby shops. |
![](/images/drupal/z-2.jpg)
1 – These are my pliers before modifying. Note how thin the tips of the jaws are.
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![](/images/drupal/z-3.jpg)
2 – Grinding the notch with a Dremel tool. Be sure to wear your safety glasses, work over a non-combustible surface, and use a fiber-reinforced cutoff wheel.
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![](/images/drupal/z-5.jpg)
3 – The finished notch on the pliers jaws. It measures about 1/8 in. deep.
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![](/images/drupal/z-6.jpg)
4 – Insert the end of a piece of wire into the pliers and bend up to 90°.
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![](/images/drupal/z-7.jpg)
5 – The first bend is done.
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![](/images/drupal/z-8.jpg)
6 – Reverse the wire so that the long leg passes through your notch.
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![](/images/drupal/z-9_0.jpg)
6 – Reverse the wire so that the long leg passes through your notch.
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![](/images/drupal/z-10.jpg)
7 – Bend the second leg down to 90 degrees.
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![](/images/drupal/z-11.jpg)
8 – Make sure the final bends are approximately 90°.
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![](/images/drupal/z-13.jpg)
10 – Right: Z-bends make for a very neat and lightweight installation.
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Links
Dremel, www.dremel.com, (800) 437-3635.K&S Engineering, www.ksmetals.com, (773) 586-8503. |
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