pitbldr Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Hey all, Just a quick post with a link to some pics of recent work. All the parts shown have been laser engraved and I plan to offer parts for sale in the coming weeks. Sorry for the bad lighting, took these with my phone. The knobs are replicas of actual knobs from some actual warhhog panels. I have a couple more styles of knob to reproduce, but expect to be able to offer all the knobs in the pit (or worst case, 90% of them:)) Pics here More to come... :) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAT_101st Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 interresting. Have an Idea of price yeat? 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/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 I have not nailed the costs down just yet, but it'll be very reasonable. The equipment I have (the CNC and laser engraver) were purchased for my business and the pit building is a side benefit. I won't be trying to earn a living from the pit related sales. :) I expect a complete set of knobs to be around $40 and the panels to range from $15 on some of the smaller panels, to maybe $50 for the larger more complex panels (like the Environment). In the end the cost will be determined by the materials needed and the equipment time to manufacture the parts (dollar amount per time - say $1 a minute or something like that). I am in the process now of determining how long each panel will take to cut, prepare, paint, and engrave. The UFC and CDU will be above $50 I expect due to the complexity of those with all the buttons. I'll also offer custom services since some people may not want to have every panel or may just want 5 panels with the more common functions. The custom stuff will obviously cost a little more but should still be very reasonable - especially if I'm supplied with the drawings for the panel(s). It's my hope that I'll be able to produce these in batches as that will help keep the cost down. Ultimately, I just want contribute to the community as I am able, because once I get to the electronic and programming aspects, I'll be looking for help from everyone else. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feed Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Those look REALLY nice, pitbldr! I will definitely be interested in a set of knobs. Fantastic work all around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) Thank you Feed! :) I hope to have the bulk of the knobs ready and the price fixed within the next couple of weeks. Still need to get ahold of a few more knobs or fabricate clones myself. Right now I have complete sets for the lighting panel, UHF, IFF, Fuel, SAS, Aux lighting, stall warning, CMSP, and ILS. The intercom and VHF panels have several basic knobs, which I think I have a suitable duplicate for. The large, unique knobs on the intercom and environment panels will take some work to replicate if I can't find orignals, but it should be doable. Here's hoping that work doesn't get in the way and slow me down! :) Edited January 30, 2011 by pitbldr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 Oh, forgot to mention that you'll even be able to choose between a lighter gray color and darker gray, unless and until I can find the gray that actually matches the real knobs. Everything I've tried so far has not quite matched. I'll post some more (better) pics soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeLv30_Superbus Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 They look very nice. I'm interested in purchasing these too. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Click to view pictures of my deskpit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scudslaker Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 indeed, a verry good offer..i m interested too!) TM HOTAS WH :joystick:, Saitek Pro Pedals, Track IR 4, 2xJoyWarrier, 1x KeyWarrior, i52500k @4600MHz, ASUS P8Z68-V Pro, NV 670GT, SSD+ WD BC+ WD Raptor, 32HD:pilotfly:[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Ice Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 You, sir, have got a guaranteed customer right here. Looking good, and keep them coming! Personally, I'm interested in the UFC, Fuel control panel, AHCP and landing gear panel, Fuel gauge panel, Countermeasures panel, Caution annunciator panel, Electronics panel, CDU, and lighting control panels. The rest I don't use often so I can leave them for another day. And ideas how to get the electronics into these panels and interface with the PC and DCS A-10? - Ice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 Thanks guys! Glad I'll be able to help out! :) I was thinking this morning that I may develop two styles of panel - what I'll call 'economy' and 'standard' for now. The economy panels would be a single layer, from 1/8" up to 1/4", that will have larger holes for switches (approx. .625" to .75"). This would allow using these panels with any type of switch plate and would be cheaper. The standard panels will consist of two layers of acrylic - one 1/8" clear and one 1/8" white. The clear layer will have larger holes to fit around the locking nuts on switches and the white layer will have .5" holes for switches and .4" holes for rotaries and encoders. This style will be more like the actual panels and will cost more than the economy style. Opinions?? Ice - regarding the interfacing, browse through the forums. This is one area I am lacking in and will myself be seeking help when I reach that point in my build. There's a lot of smart talented people here that can help out. I *MAY* also offer the aluminum switchplates if anyone is interested. I've cut several test plates on my CNC and they came out nice, but it's a slow and messy process (aluminum chips everywhere! :(). Still, I may consider these, but that will be a ways off. Anyone interested can PM me with your name and email and I'll add you to my spreadsheet and be able to track what your interests are. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Ice Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 PM sent sir! - Ice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 Small update... anyone guess what these are?? :) Just cut them out and need to find a good match on paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted January 30, 2011 Author Share Posted January 30, 2011 Here's lighting control panel. Real panel on the right and replica on the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feed Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Small update... anyone guess what these are?? :) Just cut them out and need to find a good match on paint. Those are wsitch handles for the oxy regulator panel. Do I win a free set? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAT_101st Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 well when I have the cash I will buy a set from you. 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/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_rcpilot Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I like the CMSP panel. Do the symbols light up when an EL sheet is put on the back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feed Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Oh snap, those are SNAZZY!! How'd you manage the switch guards on the environment panel? I'd been toying with the idea of slots & tabs or screws, or simply using little "u" bolts (or just forgetting them completely). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 I like the CMSP panel. Do the symbols light up when an EL sheet is put on the back? Yes, the panels can be backlit. I am using white translucent acrylic so EL sheet or LED lighting could used. Real mil spec panels have small lamps embedded in them and I have been playing around with trying to replicate that too. It's not been simple, but I hope I'll come up with something for down the road. Oh snap, those are SNAZZY!! How'd you manage the switch guards on the environment panel? I'd been toying with the idea of slots & tabs or screws, or simply using little "u" bolts (or just forgetting them completely). I cast them from the tabs on the actual panel. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Turned out a couple more panels last night - the EFCP and IFF. Please note that all panels so far are prototypes to test size, fit, etc. The final versions will have the text painted to increase contrast and in the case of the EFCP panel, yellow hash marks (didn't have any yellow to test with). :) In the pics, real panels on the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_rcpilot Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Yes, the panels can be backlit. I am using white translucent acrylic so EL sheet or LED lighting could used. Real mil spec panels have small lamps embedded in them and I have been playing around with trying to replicate that too. It's not been simple, but I hope I'll come up with something for down the road. I'm quite curious about how the mil spec backlighting components look like. And if you plan on improvising, it'd be really nice to make its brightness adjustable. EL sheets are easy to tailor and install, but AFAIK you can't dim them. LED's are easy to control with PWM regulated current drivers, but diffusion sheets are too complex. Maybe there's some other way.:music_whistling: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigersharkBAS Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hey pitbldr, Very nice work. Impressive in fact. Is there any way you can share with us the dimensions of each panel? Or is there a site/thread that lists all the panels and their dimensions? Regards, Tigershark [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Creator of: F-18C VFA-195 "Dambusters" 1998 CAG Livery https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=213788 F-18C VFA-195 "Dambusters" July 2001 CAG Livery https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=215950 Pilot avatars for DCS Logbook https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=221160 How to make a DCS A-10C Panel http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=65998 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 I'm quite curious about how the mil spec backlighting components look like. And if you plan on improvising, it'd be really nice to make its brightness adjustable. EL sheets are easy to tailor and install, but AFAIK you can't dim them. LED's are easy to control with PWM regulated current drivers, but diffusion sheets are too complex. Maybe there's some other way.:music_whistling: EL sheet would be nice, but it's pricey. I've been playing with LED's with a PWM and I think those could work. Trick is to get even dispersion of light with only a few LED's. The real Lighting Control panel light plate has 12 lamps on it - I don't think putting 12 LED's, or more, in these replicas is feasible for power reasons. Then again, electronics is not my strong point! :) I even considered EL string, but not sure it has the brightness needed. More work/thought/testing is needed. :) Hey pitbldr, Very nice work. Impressive in fact. Is there any way you can share with us the dimensions of each panel? Or is there a site/thread that lists all the panels and their dimensions? Regards, Tigershark Thanks Tigershark! :D I am not aware of any one site, but I think a few threads discuss some dimensions - just don't think there's a "all in one" source for that. Someone elighten me if I am wrong. I am using a combination of real panels, the A-10 ops manual, and the DCS sim as references for my panels. They won't be 100% accurate, but I think they'll be close. And yes, once I finalize all of my panel designs, I'll be glad to share the dimensions for what I have. I hope it will benefit everyone, but especially anyone who might want to pick up some of my panels. I anticipate another couple weeks before I will have everything ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigersharkBAS Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I think I may have to start up a website that is the one stop shop for A-10 panel building info. Problem with forums is that these nuggets of gold are dispersed throughout threads and further more in various pages of threads. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Creator of: F-18C VFA-195 "Dambusters" 1998 CAG Livery https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=213788 F-18C VFA-195 "Dambusters" July 2001 CAG Livery https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=215950 Pilot avatars for DCS Logbook https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=221160 How to make a DCS A-10C Panel http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=65998 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_rcpilot Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Yup, I was also testing some LED's with various acrylic diffusion concepts. But I haven't got a whole lot of time with that for now. Got more important things to do. I'll share some results once I come up with anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitbldr Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 I think I may have to start up a website that is the one stop shop for A-10 panel building info. Problem with forums is that these nuggets of gold are dispersed throughout threads and further more in various pages of threads. Very true and a good idea! I toyed with doing that but have too much on my plate with everything else I'm doing. :D Yup, I was also testing some LED's with various acrylic diffusion concepts. But I haven't got a whole lot of time with that for now. Got more important things to do. I'll share some results once I come up with anything. Great! I'd love to hear about your results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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