Throughout this project, a barrier we keep running into is 'how much do I re-invent the wheel to save a few bucks'?  This sort of thing is actually a much harder problem than you would initially think.

The reason for this is that there is a huge industry built up around RC hobbyists.  Some of it is obviously required for the build to progress: for instance, it makes much more sense to just buy some servos rather than try to make them yourself.  However, things like servo push rods, clevises (clevici?), etc are more troublesome.

If you are willing to spend $$$$ on either local hobby stores or online + fast shipping, or to wait a month for each new thing to arrive from Hobby King, then there is no problem.  Unfortunately, this project does not have the luxury of either option.  Instead, exot (who is very familiar with the RC hobby industry, being an RC plane pilot) and I see what options are available from the hobby stores, and then try to reverse engineer / repurpose something from a normal hardware store to fit the same purpose.

Stubby's push rods are the perfect example.  The 'RC Recommended' way would be to buy a push rod + clevis + linkage stopper.  If you look around, you can find these for not too much money online, but fast shipping really boosts the price.  Likewise, local hobby stores charge an arm and a leg for this.  Our hacked solution, the brazed threaded rod + nails for the push rods and #6 nut + #4 screw for the linkage stoppers cost about $5 for all 12 (and I already had the screws, so it was even less than that in reality).  However, it now makes for a more difficult build.

So far in this build, we seem to have drawn the line at mechanical vs. electrical parts.  It makes sense to buy a servo; it does not make sense to buy a push rod.  I would argue that this is a good balance, and it does help to open our eyes to what manufacturing techniques are possible with limited resources and tools.  However, for someone trying to replicate the build, it may make more sense to just buy the hardware at the same time that you buy the servos.  (If I had known then what I know now, that would probably have been done... I really should have talked to exot sooner in the process!) ;-)