JG14_Smil Posted May 20, 2009 Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) [ Please go the last pages of this thread for latest updates that will roll in] Hello to all, I think it is too early for reporting progress on my cockpit, but it's always good to see more pictures... First pic is of my R-800 radio panel switches. Please note the harsh light and macro lens make it look more gray than it is. Second pic is of anunciator light panels and other prototype parts (work in progress) 'Been spending a lot of sparetime programming CnC and aquiring parts. Have been into cockpit building for over ten years, owning Epic I/O cards for all of that time. BS got me back into flight simming and realese of the 64 bit vista drivers for the Epic cards got me back into cockpit building. I have seen many great sites over the years and this is one of the best, with much inspiration. Cockpit is starting to come together and will be completely scratch built. thanks, smil ("smile") Edited September 23, 2012 by JG14_Smil 1
HitchHikingFlatlander Posted May 21, 2009 Posted May 21, 2009 Very cool stuff there looking forward to seeing what you put together. Never can have enough simpit builders! http://dcs-mercenaries.com/ USA Squad
JG14_Smil Posted May 23, 2009 Author Posted May 23, 2009 (edited) thank you, HHF. here is a pic of my AP control panel prototype. these are done "quick and dirty" so I can get an overall setup working in shorter time. I can rerun the part and improve on finish, ect. The board uses tactile pushbuttons from All Electronics (part # MPB-140) mounted on a homemade breadboard. I'll have to grind a cutter to make beveled buttons in the next improved model. Button backlighting will ba added later also. Probably last pic I will attach. I will use links in the future once I get setup for editing pictures again on the new system. Again, the harsh lighting and macro lens show every scratch :) smil Edited May 23, 2009 by JG14_Smil 2
Kuky Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 Looking very impressive... nice job PC specs: Windows 11 Home | Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D + LC 360 AIO | MSI RTX 5090 LC 360 AIO | 55" Samsung Odyssey Gen 2 | 64GB PC5-48000 DDR5 | 1TB M2 SSD for OS | 2TB M2 SSD for DCS | NZXT C1000 Gold ATX 3.1 1000W | TM Cougar Throttle, Floor Mounted MongoosT-50 Grip on TM Cougar board, MFG Crosswind, Track IR
CAT_101st Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 good job. where did you get the PB's from? Home built PC Win 10 Pro 64bit, MB ASUS Z170 WS, 6700K, EVGA 1080Ti Hybrid, 32GB DDR4 3200, Thermaltake 120x360 RAD, Custom built A-10C sim pit, TM WARTHOG HOTAS, Cougar MFD's, 3D printed UFC and Saitek rudders. HTC VIVE VR. https://digitalcombatmercenaries.enjin.com/
crazysundog Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 Looking very impressive, keep it up!! (Rep inbound!)
Triggerhappy69 Posted May 23, 2009 Posted May 23, 2009 This looks really good.. Just the right "russian roughness" to it..! I see you have milled out the lettering before painting? Is this just for testing or do you hand paint the buttons after they come out from the cnc? If so you might try this method I read somewhere: 1st mill out the squares that wil become panels/buttons 2nd paint them with a coat of glossy white paint 3rd apply three to four layers of dull black paint, and let the paint dry 4th cover the surface that you will mill out lettering on with masking tape/film 5th mill out the letters 6th spray the surface with lettering with one or two coats of clear white paint 7th remove the masking tape/film revealing the black surface behind. this way you should be able to apply white paint only inside the letters. And with a inner layer of white glossy paint any baclighting will be reflected within the acryllic and only shine out from where the letters have been milled out..? I have tested the method, and it really works to.. And you even used the right type screws.. respect.. (rep inbound) "But (504)Brewber said they were'nt friendly.. So I took'em out.!" [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
JG14_Smil Posted May 25, 2009 Author Posted May 25, 2009 Thanks Kuky, crazysundog and Cat101. Perf board is just some salvaged insulator board (no holes) I found. Thanks much Triggerhappy, will try that on the future buttons. thanks for posting your prints and noticing the screws! :) I found some flatheads for the AP panel.
Flim Posted May 25, 2009 Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) When I get time , I will attempt to make these panels on my cnc machine. I want the panels back-lit using acryllic. Where are you located? Edited May 25, 2009 by Flim
JG14_Smil Posted May 25, 2009 Author Posted May 25, 2009 Indiana. so far, I have been using discarded pieces I have found. I will purchase some acrylic in the future for the final version parts, which will be backlit. Flim, is you signature picture a link to your site? It does not work. Going to check out your site now.
Flim Posted May 25, 2009 Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) i'll fix it! trying Edited May 25, 2009 by Flim
JG14_Smil Posted July 10, 2009 Author Posted July 10, 2009 (edited) LWR WIP Here is a pic of my LWR I made, it uses a project box (I can get the part # if needed) that is close enough to proper size for me. I could have used a smaller diameter red button, but I will live with this one. It sits next to my latest version of the AP control panel. There are small incandescent lights uner the buttons. The DT/DH/RD/BR plate will be redone with white styrene painted black before engraving. I've really been unable to do any work as I am battling a health issue. PS. I am almost embarrassed to show my parts after seeing the excellent parts made in the forum. For the record, I am going for the 'ridden-hard-and-put-away-wet' look of Yellow 25. :) Edited July 10, 2009 by JG14_Smil 1
oakdown Posted July 10, 2009 Posted July 10, 2009 I wouldn't be embarassed at all, your work looks amazing, and as trigger said - with just the right amount of russian wear. (: look forward to seeing more of your project.
HitchHikingFlatlander Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 Oh yeah dude, your stuff looks great! My projects are all generic looking/feeling and look prehistoric, I gotta work on asthetics...... not you! http://dcs-mercenaries.com/ USA Squad
JG14_Smil Posted July 11, 2009 Author Posted July 11, 2009 thanks all, I hope to do some work on my cockpit itself this weekend. I have a seat mounted with the pedistal and IP panel. I hope to get a couple braces made so I can start adding the right side. The left side panel, with the engine cutoff valves and rotor brake, will hinge outward for easier entry to the cockpit, and I will need to do some welding before that can happen.
CAT_101st Posted July 11, 2009 Posted July 11, 2009 Oh yeah dude, your stuff looks great! My projects are all generic looking/feeling and look prehistoric, I gotta work on asthetics...... not you! I agre with Hitch your project looks verry nice. I went for function not looks. Keep up the good work :thumbup: Home built PC Win 10 Pro 64bit, MB ASUS Z170 WS, 6700K, EVGA 1080Ti Hybrid, 32GB DDR4 3200, Thermaltake 120x360 RAD, Custom built A-10C sim pit, TM WARTHOG HOTAS, Cougar MFD's, 3D printed UFC and Saitek rudders. HTC VIVE VR. https://digitalcombatmercenaries.enjin.com/
JG14_Smil Posted October 25, 2009 Author Posted October 25, 2009 (edited) Hello, Work has been very slow due to RL workload and a broken down CnC mill. I've made a few small parts for the 'pit to keep me interested (I hate working with wood and find it a chore). Most exciting thing here is a working switch cover (prototype) for the laser designator cover (it sends a keystroke). Adding detail and color here and there really brings things to life :) Edited October 25, 2009 by JG14_Smil
londo-cat Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 YES! Looks fantastic, I would *LOVE* to see how you made your prototype of the working switch cover! I'm working on mine as well and first one was made out of a piece of hard rubber which I dremeled down, but it doesn't look quite as good as yours yet!
HitchHikingFlatlander Posted October 27, 2009 Posted October 27, 2009 Great work! If my list of other important projects ever goes away I'd love to start on a proper pit! http://dcs-mercenaries.com/ USA Squad
JG14_Smil Posted September 23, 2012 Author Posted September 23, 2012 (edited) Hello, I thought I would wake this old dinosaur thread up. I've been working on and off (mostly off) for three or four years. Still not finished... pitcure of my LWR in action. Please note FPS in lower corner. :) Cockpit currently has 84 working lights, 202 or so physical switches, some of them requiring up to four or even more switch return leads, meaning I am nearing my limit of wiring until I add my second Epic expansion module, which will allow well over 512 switch leads (of course I'll never use them all). I could add well over a hundred more lights. It currrently has thirteen rotary encoders (all work), 18 potentiometers (not all work) and a host of scratch-built parts. Almost everything works as it should. Oh shat! Super classified glare shield prototype is seen in the picture, made from a LL Bean catalog that comrade Dimitri stole while in America. We wanted to buy American bluejean, but catalog had only imported pants. Surely this is propaganda as no American company would not sell American bluejean. Edited September 23, 2012 by JG14_Smil
JG14_Smil Posted September 23, 2012 Author Posted September 23, 2012 (edited) detail of right side console Fire Exinguisher systems. Eveything in the picture works except the #2 switch on the IFF panel and the 7 segment displays. I could actually run those, but it would be a mother of all soldering and programming jobs. I just export them on the IP panel. Ejection cover is WIP. Switch covers will be made nicer looking in the future. Edited September 23, 2012 by JG14_Smil
showtime817th Posted September 23, 2012 Posted September 23, 2012 Looking awesome JG..Your going to make me build side panels lol. Showtime817th [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
JG14_Smil Posted September 23, 2012 Author Posted September 23, 2012 thanks show' I am editing above posts with the photos, adding some info.
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