The CHEAPEST, QUICKEST control horns EVER!

by rezq911 | September 6, 2013 | (59) Posted in Tips

These are the easiest cheapest way to make control horns that I have found or seen anywhere. I was looking at a scratchbuild video on YouTube and saw what looked like a floss pick being used for a control horn. What a great idea. I went to the local Dollar Tree to get some foam board and what did I find? A 60 pack of these Aim brand "precision" floss picks for $1.00!

As you can see from the pictures, all you have to do is make three cuts with some scissors or wire cutters and viola! Best thing about these is the control rod holes are already there! Just cut to length depending on how much throw you want or leave the holes to make it adjustable.

I cut the bottom part at an angle to make it easier to poke into the foam when fitting. A little hot glue to fasten it down and you're good to go. Clean teeth AND cheap easy building materials. Can life get any better? Happy building everybody!

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COMMENTS

Jaxx on September 11, 2013
Great find. Thanks! The Dollar Tree is fast becoming my favorite store.
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Nathan_116 on September 12, 2013
Definately, the dollar tree is my one stop shop for building rc planes. Now all we need is for them to start carrying servos.
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blackkrystal73 on September 12, 2013
Yea, and props! Lol
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rezq911 on September 14, 2013
I also get the wire whisks from Dollar Tree. Cut and straighten and they make for strong pushrods or landing gear!
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whiteraincloud on September 18, 2013
thanks for the heads up been looking all over for wire, don't want to drive 25 miles for $1.00 worth of wire, dollar tree just down the street.
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kah00na on September 11, 2013
Nice, I was looking at these this evening and this purpose didn't even cross my mind. I need to go back now.
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markvanhaze on September 12, 2013
Genius!
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alibopo on September 12, 2013
Brilliant! Had a look for this brand in the UK, but we don't have them. Looked at other brands and there's many similar, but no holes. However I'm wondering if that's an advantage. You can make the hole with a heated piece of your control rod and get it to an exact fit without any movement - anyone want to jump-in here with links or suggestions. Cheers.
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Oscar Bosak on January 24, 2014
You can find them at your dentist or at boots
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alibopo on January 25, 2014
Thanks Oscar, I'd forgotten all about these since I last commented. I've been using broken props to make my control horns - I seem to have lots of them sitting around... :) I'll have a look for the flossers next time I'm in boots.
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lracnolip on September 12, 2013
great idea, I use these all the time, they just don't have the holes in the handle, which bshould be easy enough to drill out.
thanx
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Billbo911 on September 12, 2013
I will run next door to Dollar Tree and see if they have these here.

One thing to note, you should determine exactly how much control surface movement you need before gluing these down. With the holes on a slope, you will not be able to place all three above the hinge line, so pay attention when installing them.

If using the non-perforated kind, just use a drill, or a sharply cut piece of piano wire to make your own holes.
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Redazrael on September 12, 2013
I have been using these lil guys for some time now after seeing it on a youtube video, and they work great. As stated above^^ using the cutting config in the photo you are limited to one consistent throw, however with just a lil trial and error cutting and test fitting and a lil more cutting, all 3 holes can be utilized for adjustable and consistent deflection. I do not have any photos to demonstrate but anyone with just a little scratch building ingenuity can achieve success.
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Nathan_116 on September 12, 2013
That's ingenious, I've been bugging my friend for a week now to print me out some control horns with his 3d printer, now I don't have to wait for him, I can make my own.
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Krako on September 12, 2013
Like it says on the package: simple & effective
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Phoenix1962 on September 12, 2013
this is awesome!!! I was just building a new design of my own and needed some control horns to complete the job! Now I know just what to use! Thanks! Keep the Ideas coming !
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earthsciteach on September 12, 2013
Brilliant, man. Thanks for sharing!
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Auxiliarypower on September 13, 2013
I hate nothing about this idea!

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paul.risenmay on September 13, 2013
Very cool. cheap too. Thanks for sharing!
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flight monkey on September 13, 2013
What can I say ?? So simple, yet so Awsome !!!!! Thanks
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ghostrider03z on September 14, 2013
This is great. Everyone has access to these and the plastic that they are made of is really tough so this is awesome.
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DruidDriver on September 14, 2013
What about a different cut direction to help keep the holes above the hinge?
Cut down along the handle side prong, through the floss, then through the arch. Thus leaving you with a slanted L that could be pushed down into the foam at and angle that will light up the holes almost or completely over the hinge. Won't reach as far back but there should be enough to anchor. Might need a relief cut to allow full swing, but the idea might be worth trying. I don't have any to play with... Yet.
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rezq911 on September 14, 2013
Might be a good idea. I have also started making the "legs" a little longer to go all the way through the foam.
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whiteraincloud on September 19, 2013
found out that the wire that holds insulation in joist works good for landing gear springy yet stff enought to hold shape at lowes
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BigGrib on October 6, 2013
I started using these exclusively for all my control horns. What a great idea. It's perfect too because the linkage stoppers that I use fit perfectly into the holes in these flossers so the only hole I have to open up is on the control horns for the linkages.
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SnapPunchRobert on February 21, 2014
So cool. My wife buys these so we have them in the house. Will use these. Great Idea.
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luzuriagadario on January 23, 2015
great idea!!
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pabs on April 13, 2015
awesome, good eye
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jksbusiness on April 19, 2015
I think I will be switching brands..soon!
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HilldaFlyer on June 26, 2015
Great idea... I'll have to steal some from my wife. :)
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solo-rick on November 20, 2015
I'm a tinkerer, after looking at these, I must say that idea is genius. I think I can play with them and make it so the holes line up above the hinge.
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The CHEAPEST, QUICKEST control horns EVER!