Oggii80 Posted January 14, 2013 Posted January 14, 2013 So I've started working in building my own pit, and I can make a switch work with a Leo Bodnar board. I made a little foam-board test panel to make sure I could do it. What I really would like to know is where do you guys find the dimensions for your projects? I'd like to do this right. Also, is it possible to build a 3d printer that Joe Anyguy can afford within an appreciable timeframe?
metalnwood Posted January 14, 2013 Posted January 14, 2013 I don't know what joe any guy can afford but search for reprap to see DIY 3d printers. Research to see if the output quality from DIY printers is acceptable to you, it isn't to me, you can't expect miracles from them with the fit and finish on parts. You can find dimensions for existing panels right here in the forums. Search for guys like Duckling and follow links in his sig. Searching will find others.
Oggii80 Posted January 14, 2013 Author Posted January 14, 2013 I did that, and I found the shapes and such, but what I was hoping to see was where they got them from. I've already downloaded all the stuff I need to build the frame (I think it was Deadman or Red One? You'll have to forgive my memory, it's atrocious...), plus those panels. I saw yesterday where some dude was building some really snazzy panels too, which inspired me to finally write to someone smart about how to actually receive my activation email (apparently AT&T doesn't like .ru emails... >.< I also bought a copy of Mike Powell's book and have been studying it prodigiously. If you don't care for 3D printing, what do you recommend?
metalnwood Posted January 14, 2013 Posted January 14, 2013 Searching for the guy I suggested Duckling you will see in his signature a link to his website, from memory it has a number of drawings with dimensions for various panels. http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=66885&page=7 As far as the 3d printer, I like them very much :) What I usually don't like about them is the ones that joe average can afford :) The quality of the parts is not good enough for me although with additional work on the parts they could be made acceptable, I.e. printing some of the hard to get knobs etc. #d printing is great but great 3d printing requires some $$, Most people on these forums use a laser or CNC router, a recent thread here generally gave the nod to a laser as being the more useful tool in the hands of a panel builder. Of course none of these options are particulary cheap and when you say the budget of joe average I dont quite know how much you would invest? http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=99652 Hope that helps.
Oggii80 Posted January 14, 2013 Author Posted January 14, 2013 Right, that's where I got the info that I have now, is from him and others like 'im. What I'm trying to find out is how did they figure out the dimensions? What do people who don't have access to CNC or 3D Printing do anyway? I'm learning a lot, but I still feel kinda' like a fish out of water as it were. For this stuff, I'm doing my best to keep it 3-figures, but at the same time, I imagine you could manufacture enough at home that it would pay for itself over time. Side note: I'm an enlisted guy with 4-kids if that gives you any idea of how economical I'm trying to get ; p
Mike Powell Posted January 14, 2013 Posted January 14, 2013 There are a number of mil standards in the public domain that give dimensions for components that are used in military aircraft. When you combine these with photographs of cockpit interiors you can develop overall dimensions that are pretty good. For example, MS25212 provides the dimensions for console type panels. Width is 5.75" and length is an integral multiple of .375". The lightplate are slightly smaller and are covered in MIL-P-7788. For the main instrument panel you can find the mil-specs for the instruments or instrument types. There are also posts by people who have various pieces and made measurements. Pull everything together and you can create very realistic results. No question about it, having high tech tools like laser cutters/engravers, CNC, 3D printers, etc. is sweet, but remember that aircraft gear was made before any of them existed. You can cut sheet aluminum and plastic with appropriate blades on woodworking saws, or with hand saws. Lightplates were originally engraved mechanically. You can fabricate and paint plastic then have it laser engraved by a commercial firm. That's assuming you want to go for ultimate reality cockpit building. OTOH, there's a heck of a lot of fun adapting a cockpit layout to more readily available resources. You don't need lightplates or individual console panels. People have built impressive panels that combined the entire stack. It really depends on your personal preferences, circumstances, and goals. Mike Powell www.mikesflightdeck.com www.mikesflightdeckbooks.com
Lumper Posted January 14, 2013 Posted January 14, 2013 A good website to find out information about military stuff is www.viperpits.org it has been around several years and it has some of the best builders of F-16 cockpits. It is also great to find a local that is a pit builder like yourself. In San Antonio there is Sagrzmnky who is 40 years old and just started building a couple of years ago. You can look him up at viperpits and pm him I am sure he will be of some help to you. We have several builders up here in the DFW metroplex also. Lumper ------------------------------------------- When the going gets tough, the smart cutout. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
whartsell Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 I live in the area as well...just started recently...imwould love to get a central tx pit builders get together to share ideas and talents. Arduino,EOS and Helios Tutorial Static ATC menu mod
Lumper Posted January 16, 2013 Posted January 16, 2013 The last time my group tried that was back in Feb 2006. We had the worst winter storm for that month ever recorded, but the few that showed up did have some fun. There really is a good group of pit builders here in Texas. I know most thru the F-16 viperpits group, but some are doing other types. Showtime817 is doing a blackshark and is on this forum (he has move from the state, but he is still one of us). Machinegun keeps planning on a Mig cockpit and he is in the Houston area. In the past we have tried to hold a LAN meet every year, but have missed the last couple of years in the DFW area. Several of the guys went to cockpit fest last year in Kansas. Lumper ------------------------------------------- When the going gets tough, the smart cutout. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Oggii80 Posted January 16, 2013 Author Posted January 16, 2013 (edited) I'd like to get together with some other pit builders myslef, but as far as talent goes, I have noneand not much practical knowledge I'm afraid. I'm learning as I go on this! I've got a couple kids in Houston too, so I swing by there every couple weeks, so I'm pretty flexible on meeting places ; ) Edited January 16, 2013 by Oggii80
Oggii80 Posted January 18, 2013 Author Posted January 18, 2013 BTW...it's Dimebug's stencils that I found the frame I'n going to be building. That thing's epic!
showtime817th Posted January 18, 2013 Posted January 18, 2013 The last time my group tried that was back in Feb 2006. We had the worst winter storm for that month ever recorded, but the few that showed up did have some fun. There really is a good group of pit builders here in Texas. I know most thru the F-16 viperpits group, but some are doing other types. Showtime817 is doing a blackshark and is on this forum (he has move from the state, but he is still one of us). Machinegun keeps planning on a Mig cockpit and he is in the Houston area. In the past we have tried to hold a LAN meet every year, but have missed the last couple of years in the DFW area. Several of the guys went to cockpit fest last year in Kansas. That was a great LAN meet despite the Ice storm we had, but we still had at least 10 to 15 or so there and some from out of state. If I remember correctly, there was a writer or something like that from SimHQ there? And I believe he did a write up about it on SimHQ. P.S. I’m still a Texan and always will be. I’m enjoying the NW and will be here for a few more years and then back to Texas with my wife and pit :D. Showtime817 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
sagrzmnky Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 I think it also depends on the pit that you are trying to build and the quality. Send me a pm. What side of town are you on? I am in the medical center area. Maybe you can come by and check out my F-16 pit. It is nowhere near complete, but I am at least pulling the car out of the driveway and ready for the long trip to the end..:music_whistling:
sagrzmnky Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 We can't wait for you to get back Showtime.
Oggii80 Posted March 8, 2013 Author Posted March 8, 2013 Sorry it's been a while! Alright, since I last posted, I've managed to get the Thrustmaster Warthog HOTAS, a pair of MFC"D"s, some off-the-shelf pedals, plus the Leo Bodnar card that I've added a few switches to. A USBServo card arrived today from opencockpits.com, but now I am stumped as to what to do with it. I've got 2 servos and I am not having any luck trying to find the instructions to make this blasted thing work. Any threads on here centered around SIOC?
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