BIGNEWY'S Collective project 2013

[BIGNEWY]

Hi all

 

going to share my project with you all.

 

I have got my hands on a helicopter collective, seller said it had come out of a lynx and had labels on it for Boscombe Downs ( R.A.F ).

 

It is in a beat up state but I think I can do something with it, the collective grip turns but is stiff at the moment and the hat switch and pinky switch are working.

 

Drop box gallery

 

 

 

 

first job will be to get it dismantled and cleaned up, and then I will update this thread with my progress.

Edited January 30, 2013 by BIGNEWY

[PeterP]

[Panthro]

I love seeing some of the stuff that guys manage to find :D

[cichlidfan]

Keep in mind, if you don't post updates often enough PeterP may have to stop by and check on you.;)

[MTFDarkEagle]

Crackin' stuff mate :thumbup:

[Aries]

That one will look beautiful in matte black, chrome and red... :thumbup:

[BIGNEWY]

Disconnected most of the old wiring last night and started to unassembled the collective.

 

Some of it is corroded really bad, which made it difficult to get some of the screws undone, but I am getting there :)

 

 

 

 

Gallery view

 

 

Going to start rubbing down and cleaning the controller today.

[MTFDarkEagle]

Elbow Grease get's it done ;)

[BIGNEWY]

Started using elbow grease today, coming up quite nicely on the shaft

 

 

Gallery view

[BIGNEWY]

Today I removed part of the aluminium molding on the head to make room for two toggle switches I plan to put on.

 

Before

 

 

and after

 

 

I will drill the hoes for the toggles soon and finish the rubbing down and then post another update ;)

 

gallery view

Edited February 3, 2013 by BIGNEWY

[BIGNEWY]

stripped back to bare metal, nearly complete :thumbup:

 

 

 

Gallery view updated

[BIGNEWY]

Cut to length today ( thank you Ogreman for the use of the workshop ) hinged on a braket and fitted the pots today.

 

Ready for wiring and painting soon !

 

 

Going to look at using a dampener system ;)

 

Gallery view updated

[OGREMAN]

Wicked piece of genuine hardware there.... BIGNEWY Take my word for it guys .... its the REAL DEAL Collective.

[Mr_Burns]

Can you provide some close ups and details on how its hinged and the pots etc. Ive got an old thrustmaster handle with hat and 6 buttons I wouldnt mind turning into a collective at some point but I cant figure out how to hinge it.

 

Engineering isnt my strong point!

[BIGNEWY]

The hinge is very simple ( I like to keep it that way, I am no engineer either lol )

 

It pivots on a screw and a large potentiometer, which will be fixed in place with screws and some building grade bonding / glue.

 

It's always trial and error when I build stuff, if it works I go for it :)

 

 

[BIGNEWY]

all wired up today and tested ( all switches and pots working )

 

Undercoat and first coat of matt black paint and fitted finger guard.

 

 

Gallery view

 

 

Another coat of paint to go on, and then I will fix the collective to my pivot and fix it in place, ready for fitting to my pit. :thumbup:

[BIGNEWY]

 

 

started to fit to my side panels

[BIGNEWY]

Been playing around with friction bars and dampers oil / spring but could not find what I wanted.

 

As a temporary measure I created a friction bar using a plastic trouser hanger, it works well lol.

 

Until I find something more suitable :thumbup:

 

 

Edited February 16, 2013 by BIGNEWY

[PeterP]

...maybe simply ad a counterweight at the opposite end of the collective.

(Maybe use a door-stopper - they are cheap and also come in a nice metallic finish.)

 

Here is what I did to take away the stress from the brake and let the collective holds its place when I disable the brake temporally once DCS-Huey is available.

Edited February 16, 2013 by PeterP

[BIGNEWY]

Nice peterp, I think my hinge design would be an issue with a counter weight, but I do like the idea.

 

I am looking at friction window hinges at the moment, also metallic and cheap to purchase :)

 

I have tried two different gas struts but they did not hold the way I wanted

 

Can not wait for the Huey :)

[PeterP]

Nice peterp, I think my hinge design would be an issue with a counter weight, but I do like the idea.

Yes - your hinge design is very 'special' ;)

 

Just think "outside the Box" ;):

 

 

 

Getting a clamp and bending a piece of metal to add a counterweight is sure simpler than adding a damper - and the outcome is the the same. - you than can control the friction easy with the axis.

 

well, just a idea.

Edited February 16, 2013 by PeterP

[McMicha]

Hello BIGNEWY,

 

I had built my collective as in the picture.

 

• Left side the collective with switch box and a lever for pneumatic cylinders.
  

 

• Center the axis.
  

 

• Right side the pneumatic cylinders and a counterweight.
  

 

 

PS: sorry for my bad english, it is not my first language

[BIGNEWY]

Thanks McMicha and Peterp you have both got me thinking outside the box ! :)

 

Going to experiment with the ideas thanks

[BIGNEWY]

Finally happy with this setup, using a friction hinge from a pvc window.

 

Friction fully adjustable via a screw.

 

Now I can get on with the rest of my build :music_whistling:

 

Gallery view updated

 

 

Edited February 25, 2013 by BIGNEWY

[BIGNEWY]

my friction bar has been working well, however i wanted a bit more of a balanced feel so went for a counter weight :)

 

Nice and simple ( as usual for my pit )

 

 

I have used weights out of my old x45 and a rod from a ballcock system in a water tank.

 

So thank you to peterp and McMicha for the advice, it feels much better with the weight on :thumbup: