collective/pedal rig from cheap keyboard stand.

[oakdown]

Thought I would contribute this concept to the community, it was initially an idea for a friend to make "sturdy" controls on the cheap. I came across the idea while gazing around my room thinking about it, I looked over at my keyboard stand (for a midi trigger) and thought, hmm not a bad source for a bunch of metal on the cheap. keyboard stands can be had for about 35 bucks such as this one:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/XStdDblLt/

or as shown here:

 

I want to stress that this is "theoretical" I have not made this myself, nor do I actually plan to at this point. The concept isn't finished here, but I could continue if there is interest... I like modeling things.

Besides the stand you will still need some other bits and pieces - such as some generic bolts from a hardware store, keyboard stands are usually 1 inch tubular frame so a few 3 inchers, and some 1 inchers, along with some nuts, washers, and if you can find some plastic washers those too. Next you will also need a way to cut up your keyboard stand, a hacksaw would work, but isn't as fun or dangerous as other cutting tools. You should use good practice and get a file, to file any of the places you cut, that way you won't cut yourself later, it sucks to be cursing yourself while you bleed out. Finally you will need the willingness to hack into a joystick, it doesn't have to be your pride and joy hotas setup, it can be some cheapie - as long as it has the ability for throttle and rudder, as you will later be connecting up slide potentiometers for the collective and pedals.

 

anyways on with the show.

 

alternatively in the next image you could mount the pedals on the "inside" of the frame, so it doesn't look like you are giving birth when flying.

 

 

at this point you are out of your keyboards "metal" supply that means you will have to find other sources for the collective (such as a piece of tube)

 

 

so that's it for now, I actually had to write this out twice because I goofed up submitting the thread! and admittedly this is a little rushed compared to the first time I wrote it. However I hope this helps someone, I think it would be a pretty clean looking little setup, that could easily be folded (or dismantled) and placed under a bed or couch. as mentioned I can continue if there is interest, or I can let it fade. cheers!

Edited June 6, 2009 by oakdown

[JG14_Smil]

neat setup and a great presentation :)

[Swetrekki]

Simple and beautiful solution, i love it.

[HitchHikingFlatlander]

Now thats thinking like Macguyver there awesome!

[BaD CrC]

brilliant!!