Ragtop's A-10C Build

[Ragtop]

The dimensions for the consoles are exactly as in Dimebugs plans. The front panel is very similar. 939mm in length, however 355mm in height, because I didn't want mine as tall.

[TulsA-10]

Awesome ragtop thank you. I thought they were dimebugs dims but was not sure. I am also going to shorten my front panel aswell. I'm glad to see your progress is coming along so fast. I'm going to finish my aces ii seat first then dive in to the consoles.

[Ragtop]

Me too! Haha, if someone showed me the latest photos and said I'd have done this in 3 weeks I'd have laughed them out the door! I remember when I first started it a cut a bit of MDF wonky with the circular saw and couldn't EVER see myself even getting a cut right, to be here is truly gratifying.

 

I look forward to seeing your progress too, I was going to do an ACES II but this seat is just too comfy to pass up on!

[TulsA-10]

I remember when I first started it a cut a bit of MDF wonky with the circular saw and couldn't EVER see myself even getting a cut right, to be here is truly gratifying.

 

I look forward to seeing your progress too, I was going to do an ACES II but this seat is just too comfy to pass up on!

 

The more you cut the better you get! I hear ya on the seat thing. I have real aces ii cushions and added some layers of yoga mat and it was perfect.

[-Ice]

Very nice work there, Ragtop. What did you use for the panelling again? Was it 6mm MDF? Been to B&Q today, saw them selling a 3mm hardwood sheet, wonder if that'll work...

[Ragtop]

I used 6mm for both the top and bottom, to be honest 3mm would be an excellent choice for the top cover, as my switches don't protrude very far!

 

I countersunk the back of my top panel for the switch nuts, but you'd be better off sinking them into the top of the back plate, because 3mm doesn't give you a lot of room to play with.

[TulsA-10]

Very nice work there, Ragtop. What did you use for the panelling again? Was it 6mm MDF? Been to B&Q today, saw them selling a 3mm hardwood sheet, wonder if that'll work...

 

Hardwood works well as long as you can get clean holes when you drill throught it.

[Ragtop]

Sandwich the bit you're cutting with two other bits of wood, perfect holes every time :)

[104th_Warhammer]

Looks nice so far.

[Ragtop]

Some upholstery and vision!

 

I'm still going! I've not updated in a couple of days, but I've been working as hard as ever!

 

Some nice updates this weekend. My girlfriend brought the fabric I mentioned home, so we got to work stitching that onto the seat, which gives it an infinitely better finish, and it's also SUPER soft! Very comfortable for those long hauls.

 

I've also got my console display in! The size is perfect, I've got just enough space for where I'll be fitting the TM MFD's when I get them next month. Running Helios on it and it looks awesome, I'll think about doing a cover for the screen when I've settled on a layout, much like Pcalverts design.

 

My Meccano spacers also turned up, so my "Dzus" screws are finished! I did look for flat head screws, but for the effort involved in getting them, I'll settle :P

 

 

Take a peek :)

[-Ice]

Ragtop, do you have measurements for the top-outer sections of the side consoles? I've tried test-fitting my 6mm MDF and could not figure out the fit for that last secton, it would always bring up a gap at the center.

[Ragtop]

Do you mean the front outer panels with the angle in? If so, read on.

 

Here are the dimensions for the Electrical panel, it shows the measurements needed to fit that awkward angle! It also just worked for me that the same size again was a perfect fit to the top, just flipped over, so all I had to do was cut 2 identical panels, and put one up the other way!

 

The image is not mine, but I forget who it is was that made them first. They did a very useful zip of all the console panels. I apologise to the creator of it and hope you don't mind me posting it here.

Electrical power backplate.pdf

Edited October 11, 2011 by Ragtop

[pcalvert]

That looks cool Ragtop.. good feeling when it starts coming together. It is worth it to go the extra mile.. I'll keep checking back to see how you're doing :)

[Strix]

Nice!!

[98abaile]

Very cool ragtop. It actually looks a lot smaller than I thought it'd be seeing it all set up like that. I'm actually reconsidering the possibility of building my own (although I can't afford the car seat and the Aces2 replica looks uncomfortable).

[Ragtop]

You'd actually be surprised how cheaply you can get car seats. Mine was actually already in the loft, my dad is a private car salesman so we have a good selection of random bits!

 

Of course this is unlikely to be everyones scenario! But, take a trip down to your local breakers/scrapyard. If you're not familiar with the concept, it's a place where cars that are no longer fit for the road go, and are parted out at VERY low cost. You could pick up a usable seat for $30-40 I reckon.

[the_pantman]

I bought both seats in lovely condition from a 2002 bmw 5 series for £15 on ebay! Super comfy, adjustable in every direction you can imagine and including the sliding rails. :-) I havent done anything with them yet, but at that price I couldn't say no!

[Ragtop]

This is what I'm saying! Incredible value.

[Ragtop]

Just picked up a potentiometer to test with the BU0836X and DCS, for the Lighting Panel. All works perfectly in Helios, so I'll be getting another 5 of them and some switches, and getting that panel completed.

 

Shout out to Gadroc for clearing some niggles I had while setting up :)

[TulsA-10]

I just got my pots working aswell. You gotta love helios, it makes life so easy. Keep the pics coming!

 

Edit: I am using 25k-100k and they work just fine with 0 noise. I have an surplus intercom in nice shape and almost have it complete. I found it on ebey for $25. I had to cut out all the old wire to get down to the swithes and pots. Everyone needs to click the donate now button in helios for their hard work.

Edited October 14, 2011 by TulsA-10

[Strix]

Great!

Then I can assume that you will make a video to me so I can learn to :helpsmilie:

I did loooka at the post you refer to, but I don't understand anything how to do it, and what I need to do it....:doh:

[TulsA-10]

Great!

Then I can assume that you will make a video to me so I can learn to :helpsmilie:

I did loooka at the post you refer to, but I don't understand anything how to do it, and what I need to do it....:doh:

 

I'm sure ragtop will make a video.. I'd make on right now but i'm not going to be home for awhile. Depending on the pot you use it may be alittle hard to find which line is which like the signal line, ground, and 5v line. I'm using military pots so they is no clear markes showing which terminal is which so i had to bust out my meter and do some testing.

[Ragtop]

I'll be making a video shortly to help you guys out.

 

Wiring pots is actually pretty simple after you understand the way the terminals work.

 

Lay the pot on its back so it's got the shaft pointing up at you, with the terminals at the bottom. The one on the left (Minimum amount of the range) will be the ground. On the right side (Maximum range) will be the 5v send. Then the middle is connected to the axis input (RX etc)

 

I'll get on with a video on programming it into Helios now.

Edited October 14, 2011 by Ragtop

[TulsA-10]

I'll be making a video shortly to help you guys out.

 

Wiring pots is actually pretty simple after you understand the way the terminals work.

 

Lay the pot on its back so it's got the shaft pointing up at you, with the terminals at the bottom. The one on the left (Minimum amount of the range) will be the ground. On the right side (Maximum range) will be the 5v send. Then the middle is connected to the axis input (RX etc)

 

I'll get on with a video on programming it into Helios now.

 

The military grade pots i have don't work like this but standerd pots will. The ones i have are from the 60's but they are in perfect condition. They are laid out a little weird but they work.

Edited October 14, 2011 by TulsA-10

[Ragtop]

Useful info, jealous of you guys that get the proper stuff!

 

 

 

Explanation of a couple of parts in my other thread here.

Edited October 14, 2011 by Ragtop