pitbldr

Thanks for the tip! By the way, not knowing much about your CNC, one other tip about cutting is to look for "chips" instead of "strings". I am sure you've seen this, but just in case you haven't, you want a feed/rpm combination that produces chips. These chips are what help cool the bit. When I first starting cutting last night, I was getting some strings from the aluminum so I bumped up the spindle RPM and that started throwing out chips. Sorry if I'm telling you something you already know. :doh:

Can you share information on the LCD you found? :)

y2kiah - I should have mentioned I was using a .125", 2 flute upcut bit. Spindle RPM was around 14000 (using a Bosch 1617EVS router as my spindle).

That's what I need to test. The strips I have are extremely bright at full power, so I'll be shocked if they don't provide enough light. But I do need to see how well they work when dimming. I am not sure about the light coverage, I have had these for a while that I had used on another project and don't recall their specs. With any luck, I'll be able to turn our the fuel panel in the next couple of days and then test this. I want to try the strips first just because 1) I already have them and 2) they'll be a lot less wiring involved. You may be right about the light loss though, but I'll give a try and see. Thanks for the feedback guys! :)

Here's the very rough, very early model of what I am thinking for lighting. No laughing at my modeling skills people! :megalol: Each console will have LED strips (represented by the yellow parts in the model) mounted at slight angles to distribute the light more evenly on the bottom side of the panel. I've still yet to test this, but if it works, it should be much easier and quicker to implement. If it does not work, then my next idea involves mounting flexible LED strips directly on top of the switchplates and routing out pockets in the bottom of the lightplates.

Thanks! Feels good to get started actually cutting these after weeks of designing them. :D I used a feedrate of 20 and DOC around .03. I did not use any fluid, but after all the cutting (30 minutes worth), the bit was not hot at all. I think I can increase the DOC and could possible cut through in one pass. I do have some fluid, I just need to implement a way to contain it and keep it from soaking into my mdf spoilboard. I have it in my head that I'll mount two 2 foot strips underneath each console on the inside of the pit walls. I am working on a sketchup model right now that will make it easier to see that I mean. Nothing as elaborate or nice as your models, just something to confirm what I am thinking will work.

Okay, I've reached a point where I can start my own build thread! :D Tonight, I cut out the switchplate for the fuel panel from 1/16 aluminum. It was the first time cutting aluminum and using double sided adhesive to hold it down. It worked extremely well. Attached are a few pics showing it still in rough form. Need to clean off the tape residue which is why some openings look a little rough. All of the square shaped holes are to allow light through to backlight the panels. After giving it much thought, I decided to light the panels with LED strips underneath instead of trying to imbed the LED's in the panels. That should speed up my build time significantly. Installed a few switches to see how it looked and I am very pleased!! Plan to get it cleaned up and painted this week. I also cut out the LASTE switchplate, but the fuel plate is much more impressive. :) Next step is to create the panel. Still working out a couple details, but I hope to have it done by end of next week.

Thanks for posting this! I used a program called Game Commander (I think) a fews years back for Janes F/A-18 and it worked great for giving wingies commands. I'll have to pick this up for DCSW to do the same thing. :thumbup:

That's awesome TH! I am correct about the last couple pics being a homemade 3-way switch? Very nice solution there!! :thumbup:

Wonder if it's because of BETA status??

yeah, there seems to be very little light generated from it, but thought it looked cool anyway.

A few night Mav and AIM-9 launches...

Hi, what's your approach to the release point? I've seen the X when I'm too steep. Try a lower altitude and shallower pitch angle. Have you read through the HUD portion of the manual? It goes over the resaons you'd get an X. See pages 361-367.

Sure you can! All of us were "new" at some point! :D Like others mentioned, get the manual and start reading, but keep in mind, it's not finalized, so there's errors and things that will be changed. You can also start in Game mode, which is easier and work up to Simulation mode. Good luck!!

Hi, I don't think the full keylist has been implemented yet. I'd really be shocked if we're not able to map key commands to the OSB's. Give it a few weeks more with the BETA and see what the updates bring.

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like our processes are similar with a few variations. My plan at this point is to use 1/16 acrylic (2447 or 7328, whichever looks best) bonded to 1/4 clear acrylic. The clear half would have my LED's embedded in it, but I still need to determine the type of LED's I'll use (individual or strip) and how I'll embed it. I had thought about using the EL sheets, but don't know enough about them and the price was considerable too. I'll be very interested to see how that works out for you. I'd love to be able to go in and do all my panels in one shot too! Realistically though, I'll only be able to get a few panels done a month and will be building the pit in small phases. However, I have thought I may also use their 4x8 shopbot in cutting out pieces for the pit. I have a 2x4 CNC, but doubt it could handle all the parts I'll need. :)

Yeah, I bet the laser work would blow away the engraving method. The shop close to me has an Epilog (45 watt I believe). If I decide to use it, I just have to join which costs $99 a month. They have a ton of other equipment though for metalworking, woodworking, plus a plasma cnc and a shopbot. I could spend a lot of time up there! :D

Very nice work!! :thumbup: I am just reaching the point where I am ready to engrave a couple test panels as I work out the best method. Mind if I pick your brain and ask how you're planning on doing yours? Right now, my process is... 1. Cut out panel and holes for switches, etc. 2. Apply several coats of black paint. 3. Apply several coats of clear coat. 4. Use a .002" 60 degree engraving bit OR 4. Take them up to a the local Techshop and use their laser engraver. I imagine I'd have the best results from this, it's just not as convenient as doing it at home. :) Still working out/testing how I'll handle backlighting. What's the thickness of the acrylic you're using and have you tested backlighting it yet?

That's a neat idea about the Kindle! I'm just too old fashioned though and prefer a nice thick manual over anything electronic! :D

Bah... I say RTMAN (Read The Manual As Needed). Even when you're learning to fly in the real world, you don't try to learn everything before your first flight! There are some things that will only make sense, or that you'll be able to do, when you're in the air. Also, some people learn better by doing, so the only way some will learn this beast is to read, reread, fly, pause, read, unpause, fly, pause.... etc. :D If you can read this manual, absorb it, then jump in the hog and know what everything does and how to use it, then you need to sign up and fly the real thing! :smartass:

y2kiah - the solution you're planning sounds very promising and the Arduino card looks like it can do a lot for pit builders. I'll be watching for updates from you on this. Thanks!

Yep, all set now! Thanks!!

DCS. Was trying to purchase the A-10C pre-release and could not because my log in was rejected.

It appears other are having problems, but is anyone else not able to log in to their account? I know I've registered, how could I have purchases/downloaded/installed FC2 when it came out? Now when I try to log in, it fails and if I try the "forgot my password" option, it tells me my email is not registered. And I tried all the emails I have just to be sure I had the correct one.

looks nice! How much stretching do you have at the top and bottom? I was playing with 3 horizontal screens, but the stretching really bothered me. I may end just using one screen. Will try this out though. BTW, that looks like SuperHornet pit... that right or are my eyes deceiving me?