F-14 Throttle

[Mich Mich]

Hi Gents,

 

While on the wait for my new joystick (a TM Warthog and a Virpil grip), I came across some AAR vids. In the comments, I fell on a ThrottleTek guy who said he actually builds Tomcat throttle quadrants.

 

I contacted him, and price for a quadrant is 1400$, shipping included

 

Did any of you guys hear of this? Is there anyone else who makes Tomcat quadrants?

[lunaticfringe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV5nahASY3k

 

He wants $1400?

 

Yeah, okay.

 

VKB has hinted, so expect to wait forever and a day. But honestly, $1400 for the Throttletek offering is a borderline scam.

[Mich Mich]

Yup, that's that one.

 

Also told me they are custom made, and DCS compatible

 

And the vid I was refering to is Jabber's AAR one if memory's right

[punk]

Hi Gents,

 

While on the wait for my new joystick (a TM Warthog and a Virpil grip), I came across some AAR vids. In the comments, I fell on a ThrottleTek guy who said he actually builds Tomcat throttle quadrants.

 

I contacted him, and price for a quadrant is 1400$, shipping included

 

Did any of you guys hear of this? Is there anyone else who makes Tomcat quadrants?

 

As the person who commissioned them to make it more than a few moons ago, I can tell you only that I paid a little less, but no matter what price is charged, it falls apart a whole lot quicker than you would think unless they are using more durable materials than mine was made from. I personally was not happy with the entire experience with them, but it may have been this that bled through. Anyway, I never even got off the ground with it, and it sits in a box waiting for me to take it apart and put it back together with stronger makings. Who knows when or if that will ever happen? I can only speak of my experience with them, I liked the guy, but they kept wanting to make shortcuts around key "F-14 Throttle" identifiers which defeated the purpose of having one made. I have no idea of the quality of their other items, they look much sturdier in any case, but I did not want a civilian throttle in a puddy-tat.

[Mich Mich]

Thanks a lot for your feedback!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Their F18 throttles are no better. Which they stopped making. Says it all really. Avoid.

[Mich Mich]

That's sad, that was the only option (as we speak) to get Tomcat throttles... Hope there will be some in the near future!

[Uxi]

Yeah saw that guy post somewhere recently (Reddit?) and linked to Youtube. For that much money, it should have auto throttle and be powered and talk to DCS Bios or something like that, but he said it doesn't do either). Looks cool, but yeah no.

 

I was hoping someone would do the throttles in Blender or something so I could 3d print them. Someone did the stick but both VKB and Virpil already have sticks. At this point, I kinda want F-14D versions more than F-14A since there's a few more controls...

[Extranajero]

I was hoping someone would do the throttles in Blender or something so I could 3d print them.

 

 

That wouldn't work. You could 3D print a set of throttles that had a very similar functionality to the Tomcat ones but apart from the grips the mechanism would have to be very different.

3D printing is great but it produces parts which just don't have enough mechanical strength or wear resistance for many applications.

 

The grips though, they are a candidate for printing.

[RustBelt]

You can investment cast off PLA.

[Mich Mich]

Cool to see that this thread interests folks!

 

I also just asked Virpil if they could make a throttle quadrant, no reply so fat

[bies]

1400$?

You can buy fully functional pre owned car instead.

[Mich Mich]

Was just sharing the infos I received, and asking for opinions

[Extranajero]

You can investment cast off PLA.

 

That'll be the path I'm going to take for some of my throttle parts.

[Extranajero]

1400$?

You can buy fully functional pre owned car instead.

 

It's difficult to mount a car in a simpit though.... :D

[Fri13]

It's difficult to mount a car in a simpit though.... :D

 

You do it opposite, cast the simpit in the car. Now you can move to own location and fly in peace....

[Harlikwin]

Yeah I was considering the f18 version for a while, glad I didn't pull the trigger on it given this review.

[Mich Mich]

Let's hope either Virpil or VKB (or both of them) will make one!

[LanceCriminal86]

I was going to try and buy a busted X-55 throttle and slowly mod it into F-14 throttles, ended up with an X-56 instead.

 

I'm still considering ways to one bit at a time upgrade the X-56 into a franken throttle, to include completely new replica F-14 grips, replace the buttons, and eventually new sensors and have the whole thing running on a whole new USB controller.

 

I've wondered if Heatblur would be able to export some of the cockpit part meshes to commonly available 3d formats, that could be manipulated, split open, and 3d printed to allow for "drop-in" conversions of existing throttles like the Warthog or X-56.

[radiodoug]

F-14D Throttle Grip Blender Model

 

I am currently in the process of updating my Logitech G-940 throttle by adding grips modeled on the F-14D throttle grip. The drawing used to create the model was from the "Mason Throttlegrips.pdf. The model was created in Blender and I have printed everything in PETG. (see Attachments) I've elected to use Leobodnar 5 way hat switches in each switch position on the grips and a DPDT momentary toggle switch on the LH grip for lights. In addition, I have replaced all of the 8 push button switches on the base, 6 DPDT momentary switches and two rotary encoders. With a basic understanding of Blender it is possible to adapt the stl model to any base you might have. I have included photos of my current progress with the grips and a 3D model in stl format.

F-14D Throttle stl.zip

[Uxi]

Nice. What scale or dimensions is it supposed to be? STL opens at 3.4mm in Cura. If I put it 1000x it still seems kinda small.

[radiodoug]

F-14 Throttle

 

Scale is 1 /1 and in accordance with a drawing from Mason throttle grips. This is the same drawing packet posted by PUNK on another F-14 throttle thread. I've had this drawing for about 5 years but only recently purchased a 3D printer and learned Blender. Grip measurements are 3.25 inches across LH to RH, 3.38 inches along long axis when looking at the thumb switches on RH grip.

MASON throttlegrips.pdf

[JayRoc]

@radiodoug any updates?

[radiodoug]

Yes, I've scrapped the Logitech G940 and built my own base for the throttle.

This model has the capability of 12 axis, (I use only 4) and 72 switch functions.

I've been using it with DCS for over a year without any difficulties.

This new version has the following features;

The four axis available are Flaps, throttle 1, throttle 2, and wing Sweep(currently not used).

The guarded switches and the 4 push buttons have only one function each.

Each dial is an encoder, and all other switches are double pole double throw switches.

Additionally, throttle 1 has 10 switch functions and throttle 2 has 25 switch functions.

[Hector45]

Awesome, would love to see your design plans.