Shall I dare to walk the rocky road?

[Jagdtiger74]

Hello and a deep bow to all you "crazy" pit builders.

 

I have been following this section of the forum for over a year now and for me it is one of the best forums that I have ever seen! So much information and so many people actually working together. The reason for my post is that I need the last bit of encouragement to finally get going myself.

 

My main issue right now is that I am not quite sure if I have the technological skills to get it done. By that I dont mean the woodwork or wiring up some switches. Its the more complex stuff that really scares me.

Well I started with outlining for myself what i want and what I probably can do myself. I am going to share my thoughts with you hopeing that you could perhaps steer me in the right direction.

 

I want a simpit with working switches on the sidepanels. If possible with the working flight computer. I want a center console done with a screen because working gages there is far beyond my skill level. I like to use the MFD's over the screen as others have done it. For the view I like to stick with 3 monitors since I dont have room for something with projectors.

 

Now the list for my limitations seems to be enormous in comparison to what I have seen here so far. I neither have a laser nor a CNC in my basement. I have no skill whatsoever in programming stuff. I couldnt even find the materials that you guys are talking about anywhere near me. I have to add that I am german (native language), living in a remote village in France and trying with all my wits to find something like the GWIZ Boards in either France or Germany since I have to order the fancy stuff online anyway.

Then I saw Reactotrons Thread about how he made his panels by hand and I thought cool I might be able to do that but translating from 3mm acrylic plastic doesnt even get me far enough to order the stuff online somewhere let alone knowing how much to order. Also I havent quite figured out if these USB Controler Boards is all I need to hook up the switches?

In short it seems that I am completely stupid and probably unfit to start the project. But then I really love to get my first real sim. Anyway this is a big shout for :helpsmilie:specially to the guys that are in Germany/France/England if they might point out some sources where I can buy the necessary stuff online. Does anyone have experience with outsourcing the cutting and engraving of the panels hoping that I am allowed to use the drawings here in the forum?

 

Well I put myself in your hands in hope that someone feels like helping a noob to get his simwings.

 

THX Jan

[jrsteensen]

Jag,

 

I didn't know crap about pitbuilding when I started in 2001.

 

Taught myself electronics, interfacing, woodwork, CAD. Heck, I ended up with a career doing CAD work in the aerospace/defense field based on what I taught myself.

 

Your only limited by what you can learn through hundreds/thousands of hours of reading and experimenting.

[Mr_Burns]

I would suggest you start small, order the GPWiz USB on line, they ship globally.

 

Mate I am all fingers and thumbs but ive gone from using the chip out of a keyboard to make a few push buttons in poorly cut wood to making an average cockpit with working switches.

 

Ive just scrapped that and working on making a Eurofighter Cockpit, nothing clever just simple push buttons (I did get some help of a fellow member to cut me some panel faces so it looks nice but thats because all the EFA buttons are square and you cant drill square holes).

 

Ive use laminated colour print outs, you can see on here, others redesign keyboards, you dont have to go for full authentic A-10 straight away.

 

Just start somewhere, use it, rip it up and start again and like JR says, heaps of on line hours of you tube etc to learn more skills as your appetite grows.

 

Ebay is good for simple switches too.

[Gremlin77]

The guys are right. Just start at one point and go one step after the other. I suggest that you take a plate of wood, drill some round holes with a forstner driller and screw this on a monitor. Using the brilliant software HELIOS you will quickly get some moving gauges. Believe me, this will motivate you to go on.

If you look at the first pages of my building thread, you can see I also started form that point. Then just figure out what interface works best for you. Try for beginning to find one you can use directly in helios (something that imitates joystick button)

 

So, just start up and have fun.

[Mr_Burns]

And Gremlin is a great example of where this hobby can ultimately lead.....

[Jagdtiger74]

@Gremlin77 seriously I dont wanna go as far as you did :lol: but love the Tornado in your house!!!!

Does anyone know of the head how big the screen has to be to best represent the center console if I hide it behind some wood as suggested?

 

Thx Jan

[Hansolo]

Hello Jan,

 

And welcome. When I started out it was with Helios which is a great place to start. Then along the way I got inspired by all these great pit building projects and finally caved in :music_whistling:

 

I started a littler over a year ago with a Leo Bodnar card BU0836X which can handle 32 switches, one hat switch and 8 analogue inputs (12 bit) at 50£. They are based in UK (http://www.leobodnar.com) and have a lot of other great stuff.

 

If you want to start out a little less expensive then try the Leo Bodnar DDI32 at 20/30£ depending on whether you want to solder the connections. It only has 32 inputs but can also handle rotary encoders if you need that later. Both cards are plug-and-play and I have not experienced any problems with them.

 

Enjoy your pit building :thumbup:

 

Cheers

 

Hans

[Gremlin77]

yes, be warned! this hobby can lead to total desaster!!!!! Just look at me, my daughter will kill me, when she's old enough to realise that there could have been a swimming pool in the house......and now there stands Dadys old ugly plane....Beware me of that day!!!

 

BTW I used an 42'' TV behind the front panel. It was I think a bit too big. Think better and cheaper way is to use two 17'' Monitors. Better resolution and flexible in positioning. Look at the forum, have in mind there is a CAD drawing of the real A-10 Frontpanel with dimensions.

Edited March 6, 2013 by Gremlin77

[BHawthorne]

My suggestion would be to nail down what controls you'll used (Thrustmaster Warthog, Saitek Combat Pedals, etc) and the visuals. From there you have the core controls and can start building something to put them into. To me I find it more important to account for the stick and rudder and the visual system before you get too far into things.

 

Or you can do like some of us and just buy half an aircraft. I bought mine in 2008. :lol:

[Jimbo]

I'd echo what BHawthorne and others have said. Start with the off the shelf kit you'll need (stick, rudder throttle). This gives a great level of immersion without the need to have a fully kitted workshop in your house.

 

Like yourself, I have no clue about electronics, programming, woodwork etc. But as you start (and start small!) you will pick up a great many skills. These forums are a treasure trove of knowledge about pretty much anything! For the items you cant build yourself (panels etc) you'll find someone here is way ahead of you and already has them for sale.

 

I havent progressed my pit much, but the things i've learned here will be with me for the rest of my life, irrespective of pit building or not, I how have an appreciation of electronics etc.

 

The danger is that you get so absorbed learning how to put all this together that you dont end up flying much!! I havent flown in about 3 months as i've been too busy burning my fingers with a soldering iron :). I personally prefer learning the how to's than the flying bit!

 

I have to add, for me at least, nothing was as exciting as wiring up my first switch and seeing my physical actions happen in-game. A real sense of achievement that will only build as you learn more.

 

My advise is to start slow, break it down into sub projects and research accordingly. Maybe build a small input panel with maybe 5 or 6 switches. The guys on these forums are amongst the most helpful you'll find, so if you need help.. ask away! :thumbup:

[agrasyuk]

The reason for my post is that I need the last bit of encouragement to finally get going myself.

...

 

here is my piece of encouragement, hope it is enough to tip the scale of doubt :thumbup:

 

 

Good advice above, can't but echo everything that was said. start small, get the controls that are within your budget, get either GPwiz or Bodnar cards and couple switches and start playing .

start your build thread, and i'm sure everyone here will be happy to comment and leave helpfull suggestions.

 

good luck!

[Jagdtiger74]

Well thanks so far guys! I am going for it. Thrustmaster Warthog is on order, Saitek Pro Pedals and Thrustmaster MDFs as well

Monitor question remains for the front consol since i dont have all the monitors yet.

 

JT

[JG14_Smil]

That's the spirit!

 

Good luck to you. Greatest hobby I have ever had, and I have some good ones.

[BHawthorne]

Well thanks so far guys! I am going for it. Thrustmaster Warthog is on order, Saitek Pro Pedals and Thrustmaster MDFs as well

Monitor question remains for the front consol since i dont have all the monitors yet.

 

JT

 

I'm glad you decided to get the controls first. This'll ensure you have more fun with seat time actually flying while you build. A lot of people get bogged down in tub and panel fabrication and never get to fly because they've not gotten their controllers yet. I think it makes the most sense to work from the main controls first and then add in the details over time. After watching simpit builders do their thing for almost a decade now I think many people lose sight of why they're building -- which is high fidelity seat time. You don't get that if you get the controls last. :thumbup:

[Grommet67]

Hi JT,

 

I am in the same boat, I have been contemplating a build for some years. I have finally got into it but only grazing the surface. Managed to wire up a GP40 wiz and a Phidgets LED board with good success. I would be interested in sharing any info/ideas/cheats etc.

[Duckling]

Hi Jan and welcome. Agree totaly. Making the start to complex can turn it into pain instead. Started my first build with a Mac keyboard controllers and wired keys to a fake panel. From that point to now,it have turned into an (almost) obsession. Hard to walk by a dumpster without to see if some pieces missing could be found inside ( not totally kidding ;-)

Electronics, coding etc will be more and more fluent and most of all it's fun. Only obsticles might be space and wify that ragards me not totally sane

[mulishaknight]

I totally understand your dilemma. I was in the same boat only 2 months ago I had no idea about any of this and thought I would never be able to figure it out. I am still nervous about some insturments like the radio stack setup and the cmsp. but I am sure I will figure it out. I to have absolutely no expierence in this field. but I wired up my first set of flood lights this past weekend. here is where I am at. its not perfect but its something. have a look https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.382825148494238&type=1

[Grommet67]

Hey Mate,

 

How is the build going? Have you started to assemble the hardware?

 

I have just marked out the front panel and bought a single 27" monitor for the instruments. Looking forward to getting something that may start to resemble a simpit.

 

Cheers.

[Mt5_Roie]

Run...run while you can! Once you start down this path, forever will it consume you.

 

But seriously, start small. Order a GP-Wiz40 and learn to build a small panel. Check out my thread to see some of the stuff I do. I'm not an electritio, my wood skills are not that great - but i'm on my third pit now. It's about taking small steps.

 

Realize you'll make mistakes and you need to learn how to roll with the punches.

[Flim]

Or, do a touchscreen pit with levers.. meaning gear lever etc.. With 3 touchscreens you can replicate different cockpits pretty easily without spending tons of time building then losing interest.