Grass's pit, a redo

[agrasyuk]

Inspired by Flap Gauge i took on Fuel gauge (and the rest of the panel for that matter). drawing and first try cut and engraved on piece of left ower.

the 5 digits will be done with micro seven segment displays.

 

looking at it i broke down and just ordered lasermax material. might as well do it right

 

 

 

landing panel lit.

with current solution the flap gauge pointer is not fully lit. will be trying out plan B

 

Edited January 14, 2013 by agrasyuk

[Gadroc]

Looks good. Have you tackled how your going to do the concentric shafts for the dual pointers?

[agrasyuk]

yes actuallu, that was the first thing. my other hobby is scale model building and railroading so i have a collection of all kids of brass and plastic tubing. already found a good sized pair to be "pipe in pipe" dual shaft without to much play. pointers not need to be lit so its easier.

 

i'm going to do CAD only work for some time however. managed to dislocate right shoulder, got very slippery here after 47F on saturday and 23F on sunday. ER said they did experience bunch of fractures and head injuries that day , so i guess i got it not to bad

[Gadroc]

Doh! That's a bummer. Hope you mend fast!

[agrasyuk]

thank you :)

 

assembling the MIP bezels, testing two encoders and two potensiometers for fit. bingo hit on HSI and Altimeter, even managed to rotate the ADI one for precise knob psitioning. RWR brightness however will need some filing to get in (nothing to recut the panel however)

VVI will be getting a properly shaped front panel

 

 

laid out , to be sanded p, polished and painted.

some unused stuff pictured too.

 

 

 

ADD:

 

Painted and wired everything but the RWR potentiometer. this little bugger is gone MIA! looked at all my work trays, even cleaned up the workplace, nowhere to be found. and i don't have spare for this one :mad:

nuts!

 

Edited January 15, 2013 by agrasyuk

[Gadroc]

Nicely done!

[TomDK]

Great work !!!! :thumbup:

 

I am watching fascinated this thread and wait for the orderlist :)

[Hansolo]

Very neat solution. I may have to try and replicate :thumbup:

[agrasyuk]

thanks again guys :)

 

Worked on bezels for the lower left instruments. here is a "family picture" of MIP items so far. will be adding demi mounting screws next

 

 

ADD: on the other side

 

 

UPDATED: fuel gauge mock-up dial with seven segments displays.

individual display modules situated in tray/holder frame. soldering these will be fun.

 

 

and not all is always turns up good. attempted to paint yellow striping on landing panel with less then good results. maybe acceptable with some stretch, but thinking to redo the panel. on close look edges are not sharp, i just couldn't wait enough to let it dry completely dry...

 

[ensamvarg]

agrasyuk, have you considered cutting out the markings as stickers using a laser and a sticker sheet like this?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRIGHT-YELLOW-VINYL-Roll-Sheet-Adhesive-Sticker-Decal-/400163645297

[agrasyuk]

thanks for the suggestion, but from what i heard laser is not working on Vynil very well as it just melts (and IIRC has extra poisonous fumes).

 

 

 

my Landing gear knob lit

 

[JCook]

Anton

This is really impressive work. I'm keeping a close watch on this thread.

John

[agrasyuk]

thanks again John :)

 

and the recent development is - today we submitted offer for a place that we hope will be our new home in about month and a half if everything goes as planned.quite some work to make it comfortable for us, repaint, refloor, install new kitchen and more to keep me ocupied.

as a reward there will be a dedicated room for simming, making "the Cube" 4 projector setup possible. can't wait.

 

ADD:

And our offer got accepted! Yeah! if everything goes as scheduled we will be moving in month and a half !

[donbinator]

thanks again John :)

 

and the recent development is - today we submitted offer for a place that we hope will be our new home in about month and a half if everything goes as planned.quite some work to make it comfortable for us, repaint, refloor, install new kitchen and more to keep me ocupied.

as a reward there will be a dedicated room for simming, making "the Cube" 4 projector setup possible. can't wait.

 

ADD:

And our offer got accepted! Yeah! if everything goes as scheduled we will be moving in month and a half !

 

Cool! Congrats! Nice work on scoring your own sim room :thumbup:

[agrasyuk]

thanks Don :)

 

 

 

now , i'm super excited to show of this resent development. i was reffered by a member here to ebay auction offering real landing light switches, while i was ok to spend the crazy money they usually ask for one-off military stuff it is simply to big to fit behind my panel.

My dad happened to work in a machine shop. He finally found time to spend on the task i suggested for him - a removable bolt on "3 pearl" handle for the landing lights. Pictures of prototype mounted to your everyday 2$ toggle from china are below. it is still work in progress: sides need to get milled and square angles rounded, but i already like what i see. several ideas exist how to prevent it from spinning (as you know the lever on those switches is twisty).

 

EDIT: _____

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2013 by agrasyuk

[Hansolo]

Looks great, Anton

 

Cheers Hans

[MTFDarkEagle]

You can get these landing lights pretty cheaply actually, mine just shipped:

 

http://geremy.co.uk/shop/article_GLB11%252348/Landing-Lights-toggle-switch-caps.html?sessid=YTIdjwgCxxsxsjoOgPEewP3TvZb8hoBOJfd3QEb8Qp6VmSdt9GMAJSCJyMZ1Xtsg&shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3DGLB11%252348%26

[CubPilot]

I did something similar with my LDG Light handle. A flat handle switch keeps it from turning, but I used a mini switch in my case.[/url] I scratched off the paint on the three stainless steel balls later. Link here.

 

Excellent job with your pit by the way. :thumbup:

 

 

 

 

 

 

:pilotfly:

[agrasyuk]

And that's the final page of this story.

packing it all up. can't wait to start again.

 

 

sob

 

:cry:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

two more weeks...

 

 

 

 

 

 

...

[cichlidfan]

Indeed, moving does suck. The upsides usually offset the downs by a pretty good bit when all is said and done though! :)

[ncimike3]

MTFDarkEagle, I noticed the landing lights ship in packs of 4. If you want, I'll split the costs with you and take 1 of them.

[ncimike3]

thanks Don :)

 

 

 

......... sides need to get milled and square angles rounded, but i already like what i see. several ideas exist how to prevent it from spinning (as you know the lever on those switches is twisty).

 

 

Have you considered just using a set screw from the side to keep it from spinning? It should do the trick real nice. If needed for good measure, simple grind a small flat on the switch and the the set screw will "dog" onto the flat.

[agrasyuk]

yep, i'm already building the pit in new place in my mind :)

 

Mike (right?), final version is not going to twist, that's certain. there is couple approaches we thinking about and going to try. and if all fails i'll just use a quality switch, these don't twist by construction. :)

[-Demon-]

wow..just wow...I do envie people who know how to deal with cables and electronics. I would love to build my own cockpit with switches and stuff just like you did. But I have no clue what so ever and how to start.

 

Any chance of a mass production? :huh: I could be a good customer :thumbup:

 

I gues you will have a lot of fun flying this baby.

 

Keep on the great work and keep us updated!!!

 

Cheers

 

Demon

[agrasyuk]

Hey Demon, thanks for the kind word.

Whatever you envious about don't be - it is all achievable. And my solution is by far not the most impressive here on this board. Figure out what want, what is possible within your limitations (room available, budget, etc) and start slow. Your first pit doesn't have to be super detailed replica. I started with retractable shelves to house the HOTAS and usual computer desk .

 

Start your own build thread, list wants, limitations, your own ideas of approach and I'm sure everyone in this pit building forum will be happy to chime in and throw ideas and suggestions at you.