F-18 grip, WARTHOG compatible

[SafetyTurtle]

I see absolutely no reason not to go with the resin if it's just as solid, feels just as good and is more true to the real deal.

 

When the F18 module comes out, if it's for me, I'll gladly order a set from you!

[Paradox]

Yeah I like metal but I've already got a metal grip, let's have a resin one if it helps you.

[98abaile]

When can we expect to start placing orders?

[Invictus84]

I am just hoping I can use these handles with my Black Mamba base and Warthog adapter. If not I will improvise. :thumbup:

[some1]

  Icarus said:

I know the throttle will not be compatible with the Cougar, but will the Replika stick be comparable with the Cougar stick base?

 

There's no reason why it wouldn't, except for one button (CMS down) that is present only on Warthog and Cougar software does not support it. But it probably won't be used, because those sticks in general have less buttons than A-10 grip.

[15Span.JG51Costa]

Hello hegykc .

My old CH rudder pedals urgently need a replacement.

Could you please tell me when can you start producing the rudder pedals Fw190 style ?

I really want to spend my money on your Kg13 , throttle and rudder pedals.

 

Saludos Costa.

[hegykc]

Here's the situation.

 

I can start right now, right this moment. I'll make you a grip and pedals in a few days, and then someone else will want one. And another one and so on.

 

And before you know it, I'm stuck making a couple of products each week, with no time on improving the production process. I can't stop because I'm making profit, but I can't go forward either because I've reached my quantity limits...

This is the situation with every single (small) simulation gear maker today. I will not go down that path. Waiting lists and pre-orders are not my dream, and is not the path that leads to 60$ grips. 10,000 pieces per month. That's the goal. Potential pieces of course, I won't manufacture that much without the market to support it, but I want that potential.

 

I don't know if it's destiny :) but:

 

1) today a company revealed a patent for a 3d printing system that is 100 (one hundred) times faster than what I have right now, which was already two times faster than anything else. and with surface finish quality unimaginable until today. I only have to modify my system slightly to get to that level.

 

2) a major player released it's resin recipe under open source license just a couple of days ago

 

If you read my last post about 60$ resin grips. There were two obstacles holding them back. The very two I just mentioned, DIY resin and faster printing. They're solved now. So hang in there, the magic show is about to start, just not today. But not so far as to be next year either. It will be monthly improvements and giant leaps forward.

Edited March 17, 2015 by hegykc

[7rooper]

I just read on that. This improvement is going to change 3D printing totally

[agrasyuk]

  hegykc said:

 

If you read my last post about 60$ resin grips. There were two obstacles holding them back.

While i can definetly understand the need for speedy production, I though you already had the material figured out, no?

 

As for carbon3d ( I assume that's what you referring to) it indeed looks impressive, but are they starting sales in foreseeable future?

Edited March 17, 2015 by agrasyuk

[hegykc]

Yes I do, but I am buying it from a supplier. Now, I can mix my own which can further reduce the cost of production.

[Scoggs]

Amazing news as usual hegkcy. Can wait to get my hands on some of your gear!

[Chief1942]

Take your time and do it right. It reflects back on you, you are in the cat bird's seat. Like ED with DCS 2.0, don't let those that are impatient push the envelope and get you to release something that does not meet YOUR standards. Best of luck with your undertaking. Hope you get filthy rich from all your work.

[Cowboy10uk]

No Rush, we are not going anywhere mate, and of course, we are talking about F18 Throttle and Grips here. I think we have a bit of time to play with before she turns up in the hangar. ;)

 

I'm just loving reading these updates every week or so. The best things come to hose who wait.

 

Cowboy10uk

[15Span.JG51Costa]

  hegykc said:

Here's the situation.

 

I can start right now, right this moment. I'll make you a grip and pedals in a few days, .

Ok, perfect. I´ll tell nobody :music_whistling:

No, no... seriously, take your time you are making a great job and I think you are taking the best decisions.

Saludos Costa.

[Pikas62]

Take your time to optimize your production. I will be here when you start to sell your fine products. ;-))

[T_A]

Personally i like instant gratification

I would just take it as-is , if you get a better printer down the road etc then all the better (there are plenty of stuff you plan to make that people will buy than just the hornet grip/throttle )

 

Also you could probably fund a few more printers if you show a good enough business model to a bank, or just start a kickstarter even.

 

just throwing around ideas...

[hegykc]

I'm not waiting on this newest tech. I should have 10,000 unit capability within a month or two. At this point delays happen when a component arrives broken and I have to spend a a few weeks e-mailing, and a few weeks waiting on replacements.

 

That's it. There's no more major breakthroughs or problems to overcome. Just stupid delays like the laser cutter the other day. I was supposed to be cutting and making instruments, but the laser arrived broken, and after 2 weeks of e-mails I have to wait another month on replacement parts.

[Kuky]

You hang in there... you are doing good and I among many others will get your HOTAS grips :) Good things take time and are most importantly... WORTH WAITING FOR!

[Greekbull]

Great news and thank you for the updates! Sounds like things are falling into place nicely and I'm excited to see your product come to market!

[agrasyuk]

  hegykc said:

Here's the situation.

...

If you read my last post about 60$ resin grips. There were two obstacles holding them back. The very two I just mentioned, DIY resin and faster printing.

  agrasyuk said:

While i can definetly understand the need for speedy production, I though you already had the material figured out, no?

  hegykc said:

Yes I do, but I am buying it from a supplier. Now, I can mix my own which can further reduce the cost of production.

not sure why you used the word "obstacle" then.

and as far as material i thought you going with some sort of special resin that offers better mechanical properties then usual 3dprint materials. did it happen that autodesk opened the recipe of that exact resin?

[hegykc]

Nope, nothing special about the resin. "Obstacle" because right now I'm buying it and it's probably xy times more expensive then mixing my own. The shipping and import duties alone would cut the cost in half.

 

It's better then usual 3d printing materials because usual material is ABS fillament, that's all the hobby market is talking about. And when someone said "it's just a 3d printed part" they were referring to ABS filament and comparing this to that could not be more wrong.

[Sgt_Baker]

This may have been asked previously, so apologies if we're going over the same ground.

 

I have a friend who is interested in a high-end HOTAS setup (think TM Warthog), yet is a leftie. While discussing it earlier, I remembered seeing this thread a while back.

 

What sort of costs might we be looking at for a left-handed conversion of a TM Warthog HOTAS or similar?

 

Best regards,

 

Baker

[CaptJackG]

There is no left hand conversion in aviation. You fly in the left seat your left hand operates the flight controls and the right hand operates the throttles. You fly in the right seat......well, you get the picture. Ergo no left hand conversion.

[Blaze]

  CaptJackG said:

There is no left hand conversion in aviation. You fly in the left seat your left hand operates the flight controls and the right hand operates the throttles. You fly in the right seat......well, you get the picture. Ergo no left hand conversion.

 

;)

 

There are some custom-made leftie sticks, but in general aircraft with single seats are operated with the right hand on the stick, left hand on the throttles. Aircraft with left and right seats and a center pedestal are different. Some like Airbus and Cirrus have left-hand sticks for the left seat, right-hand for the right seat and you have to deal even your other hand is dominant. Some exceptions are the B-1 which has center stick and left throttles for both left and right seats.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Blaze

[Paradox]

How many military pilots are lefties do you think?

 

I never thought about it before.