I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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Daddy O
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Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:32 am

Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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This is a typical run to the hardware store for a project like this. A few hinges, some lettering, screws, etc. $28. Projects like this really add up; a hundred here for a chair, fifty for some aerodynamic widgets, $700 for a projector... These projects eat you alive if you are not frugal.
This is a typical run to the hardware store for a project like this. A few hinges, some lettering, screws, etc. $28. Projects like this really add up; a hundred here for a chair, fifty for some aerodynamic widgets, $700 for a projector... These projects eat you alive if you are not frugal.
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Daddy O
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Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:32 am

Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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This odd-looking device is the mounting bracket for the projector screen. Designed to angle the screen to match the projector. If you do not get the projector perpendicular to the screen, then you will never get the entire screen into focus at the same time. This took about an hour or two to build and mount.
This odd-looking device is the mounting bracket for the projector screen. Designed to angle the screen to match the projector. If you do not get the projector perpendicular to the screen, then you will never get the entire screen into focus at the same time. This took about an hour or two to build and mount.
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Daddy O
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Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:32 am

Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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Mounting the yoke and left side monitor. I am stepping up from a smaller monitor to a pair of 20" displays. The difference was so staggering that I have to go back and recut all of the instrument panels because the instruments are huuuuge now. I can actually fit all of the instruments for a B200 on each of these screens without truncating anything.
Mounting the yoke and left side monitor. I am stepping up from a smaller monitor to a pair of 20" displays. The difference was so staggering that I have to go back and recut all of the instrument panels because the instruments are huuuuge now. I can actually fit all of the instruments for a B200 on each of these screens without truncating anything.
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Daddy O
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Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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The left side instrument panel is being measured for its fascia overlay. A plate of plexiglass is cut, drilled, and painted to not only protect the monitor, but to give the panel a cohesive look. Plexiglass is not cheap though.
The left side instrument panel is being measured for its fascia overlay. A plate of plexiglass is cut, drilled, and painted to not only protect the monitor, but to give the panel a cohesive look. Plexiglass is not cheap though.
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Daddy O
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Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:32 am

Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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i had been on planning on installing a toe monitor on the MK II, but when I finally got it in place I discovered that I really could not see enough of it to be worth the effort of adding an extra PC/Monitor. But I really want a toe monitor so when I fly choppers I can land on skyscrapers and such. Guess I will just set the monitor to the right side of the sim.
i had been on planning on installing a toe monitor on the MK II, but when I finally got it in place I discovered that I really could not see enough of it to be worth the effort of adding an extra PC/Monitor. But I really want a toe monitor so when I fly choppers I can land on skyscrapers and such. Guess I will just set the monitor to the right side of the sim.
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Daddy O
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Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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Like I said, every support stud was doing double duty. These supports make a shelf big enough for 5-6 PCs. The lower rack is for comms equipment, cables, storage, etc. When I am finally finished, I will have 5 PCs in the sim; main screen, instrument panels, left and right windows, and the toe monitor.
Like I said, every support stud was doing double duty. These supports make a shelf big enough for 5-6 PCs. The lower rack is for comms equipment, cables, storage, etc. When I am finally finished, I will have 5 PCs in the sim; main screen, instrument panels, left and right windows, and the toe monitor.
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Daddy O
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Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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The center instrument panel is being measured and cut, then drilled for switches. The Saitek panels make wiring easier, but I still have all of the wiring to the UHID device (from all the switches below the Saitek Panels) to reconfigure. That'll be a mess.
The center instrument panel is being measured and cut, then drilled for switches. The Saitek panels make wiring easier, but I still have all of the wiring to the UHID device (from all the switches below the Saitek Panels) to reconfigure. That'll be a mess.
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Daddy O
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Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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The center console is painted, assembled, and ready to be installed. I still need to label the switches, neaten up the wiring in the back, and reconfigure the UHID device for the new switch settings. This panel bolts down onto the edge of the plexiglass fascias for the left and right monitors. Just sits on top of them using the same mounting brackets.
The center console is painted, assembled, and ready to be installed. I still need to label the switches, neaten up the wiring in the back, and reconfigure the UHID device for the new switch settings. This panel bolts down onto the edge of the plexiglass fascias for the left and right monitors. Just sits on top of them using the same mounting brackets.
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Daddy O
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Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:32 am

Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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This is another side-project I am working on. I am taking an old Saitek Cyborg usb stick and chopping it, extenting the length of the arm, and turning it into a collective for the right seat. Currently I just flip the jet throttle sideways, but that's not really the same as a collective. I just hope that when I plug it in, Xplane can handle the new axis. I already have 2 full sets of controllers on this system, will it work with yet another???
This is another side-project I am working on. I am taking an old Saitek Cyborg usb stick and chopping it, extenting the length of the arm, and turning it into a collective for the right seat. Currently I just flip the jet throttle sideways, but that's not really the same as a collective. I just hope that when I plug it in, Xplane can handle the new axis. I already have 2 full sets of controllers on this system, will it work with yet another???
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Daddy O
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Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2010 9:32 am

Re: I've been gone a while, but I have an excuse...

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Now that the bulk of the carpentry is done, I begin cabling the beast. I actually built the 12" tub down the middle specifically so I would have somewhere to run the mass of cables without them being an eyesore. You can reduce cabling by putting the PCs up front, but then they are a PITA to get to when they need work. This big of a project will be a wiring nightmare no matter how you do it, so just do it.
Now that the bulk of the carpentry is done, I begin cabling the beast. I actually built the 12" tub down the middle specifically so I would have somewhere to run the mass of cables without them being an eyesore. You can reduce cabling by putting the PCs up front, but then they are a PITA to get to when they need work. This big of a project will be a wiring nightmare no matter how you do it, so just do it.
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