SPLIT BALL THUMB-STEER

Some transmitters mount the wheel close enough to the grip to be be thumb-steered comfortably, but most could use an extension. There are lots of ways to add a thumb-steer extension to your transmitter, with varying degrees of hackiness. This one looks pretty factory, and it’s easy.

1 GET THE PARTS

You’ll need a wooden split ball

(it’s a craft store item), a spacer to stand the split ball off from the wheel, and a screw to hold it all together. You may already have a suitable screw and spacer. If not, a #8 spacer from the local hardware or home store will do the trick. The spacers come in different lengths; get a few options so you adjust your thumb-steer’s fit.

2

DRILL THE SPLIT BALL FOR THE SCREW

Using a bit the same size as the diameter of the screw, drill straight through the split ball. Tip: tap a nail a couple of millimeters into the ball first, then pull it out to create a starter hole to prevent the bit from wandering.

3

COUNTER-SINK THE HOLE

Select a drill bit that is slightly larger than the screw head and use it to drill just far enough into the hole to allow the screw head to sit flush with the top of the half-ball.

Optional: epoxy the screw into the split ball. Epoxying the screw isn’t a must, but locking it in there with glue allows you to remove and reinstall the thumb-steer extension without a screwdriver—just twist it into or out of the steering wheel.

4

DRILL THE STEERING WHEEL FOR THE EXTENSION

Hold the radio and move your thumb as high and low as it will go. The mid-point is where you should drill the hole for the thumb-steer extension. The screw needs to thread into the plastic, so the hole must be undersized. Choose a bit one size smaller than the screw’s diameter. If you use a ream to make the hole, go slow and test fit frequently until the screw threads in tightly.

5

PAINT AND INSTALL THE EXTENSION

The paint is optional, but it looks more factory. Just thread the extension into the wheel until it’s snug— any tighter is too tight, you don’t want to strip the hole in the wheel.

A split ball, spacer, and screw are all you need.

Now you can steer comfortably with your thumb as you hike.

Easy does it, the hole should be smaller than the screw’s diameter.

Tip: use a padded pair of pliers to hold the ball for drilling.

The screw should sit flush or below the surface of the split ball.