My next project
In the end...what counts is it's very comfortable to fly and much more ergonomic than what I was doing before.
While I am still likely to build a replacement at some point...it's perfectly serviceable as is.
When AF came out and I was flying on my FCC-modded Cougar, I built these stands:
![Image](http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/tkfoto/cougstands.jpg)
Was still using them in '09 when I joined up with the VTB. With the Warthog, I promptly bought one of "Metalnwood"'s extension kits and was setting that on a concrete block in front of the chair. I was a lot smoother with that (and landed the #2 seat) but it still wasn't very comfortable due to the long reach (required for the stick to not hit the chair). I was also still using the above throttle stand with the 'hog throttle quick-clamped to it.
So now...while my seat frame may not be pretty, it definitely works better than anythign I've "flown" in here before.![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
I'm actually really tempted to make up a set of Cougar mounts for this thing and fly the FCC some more. I haven't plugged that in in nearly 2 years!
While I am still likely to build a replacement at some point...it's perfectly serviceable as is.
When AF came out and I was flying on my FCC-modded Cougar, I built these stands:
![Image](http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/tkfoto/cougstands.jpg)
Was still using them in '09 when I joined up with the VTB. With the Warthog, I promptly bought one of "Metalnwood"'s extension kits and was setting that on a concrete block in front of the chair. I was a lot smoother with that (and landed the #2 seat) but it still wasn't very comfortable due to the long reach (required for the stick to not hit the chair). I was also still using the above throttle stand with the 'hog throttle quick-clamped to it.
So now...while my seat frame may not be pretty, it definitely works better than anythign I've "flown" in here before.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
I'm actually really tempted to make up a set of Cougar mounts for this thing and fly the FCC some more. I haven't plugged that in in nearly 2 years!
Well, at this point I'm not sure I'm gonna put pictures up of "v1" hehehehe.
It works...and very well...but aesthetically it's almost as horked as ^ those stands.
I keep making small revisions to it - the slip fit bracket I made to hold the stick/wheel/pedals in place was too sloppy loose. Turned it into a bolt-on mount, and it's much more solid...but the adaptation is quite ugly since I didn't originally frame it up intending things to bolt on.![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
Now that I know a little more about what works and am starting (!) to make halfway decent looking welds...it's kinda begging for a rebuild. Not sure I'm in a hurry to redo it though since it's so comfy.
Also thinking if I redo it (or maybe even if I don't), possibly doing an inverted pedal setup for racing.
It works...and very well...but aesthetically it's almost as horked as ^ those stands.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
I keep making small revisions to it - the slip fit bracket I made to hold the stick/wheel/pedals in place was too sloppy loose. Turned it into a bolt-on mount, and it's much more solid...but the adaptation is quite ugly since I didn't originally frame it up intending things to bolt on.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
Now that I know a little more about what works and am starting (!) to make halfway decent looking welds...it's kinda begging for a rebuild. Not sure I'm in a hurry to redo it though since it's so comfy.
Also thinking if I redo it (or maybe even if I don't), possibly doing an inverted pedal setup for racing.
Oh, what the hell. Here it is.
Note that it isn't pretty because:
1: First time I've touched a welder.
2: Trying to make parts "slip fit" with off the shelf steel doesn't work so well - they end up "sloppy loose" unless you have the means to buy things tight and mill them to proper dimensions.
3: Several on-the-fly design changes were made due to #2.
That said, there's really only 2 "problems" I have with the setup...
- The looks of the front bracket and its mounting system due to the build-time re-engineering.
- When I put the steering wheel on, the 2-point mounting of the front bracket allows a bit of movement of the wheel fore/aft. Usable, but would be better with a 3rd attachment point.
So on the one side, I really want to make it look better...but on the other hand it's so comfy and works so well now I'm really not motivated to improve it until I clear out a bunch of other non-related projects.
I have in fact stopped using the extension tube on the Warthog. While it was a great mod when flying in an office chair, once I was able to put the stick base where it is now, the extra throw was a detriment rather than an improvement. With the previous long-reach + long-throw I was smooth but fought unintended inputs - roll while pitching, pitch while rolling. Gotta find a new way to "offset" the grip angle (I'd rather not rotate the base, but I might do that).
This was intended to be a "rough draft" before I even made the first steel cut...and it is.![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
![Image](http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/tkfoto/_TJK8642.jpg)
Note that it isn't pretty because:
1: First time I've touched a welder.
2: Trying to make parts "slip fit" with off the shelf steel doesn't work so well - they end up "sloppy loose" unless you have the means to buy things tight and mill them to proper dimensions.
3: Several on-the-fly design changes were made due to #2.
That said, there's really only 2 "problems" I have with the setup...
- The looks of the front bracket and its mounting system due to the build-time re-engineering.
- When I put the steering wheel on, the 2-point mounting of the front bracket allows a bit of movement of the wheel fore/aft. Usable, but would be better with a 3rd attachment point.
So on the one side, I really want to make it look better...but on the other hand it's so comfy and works so well now I'm really not motivated to improve it until I clear out a bunch of other non-related projects.
I have in fact stopped using the extension tube on the Warthog. While it was a great mod when flying in an office chair, once I was able to put the stick base where it is now, the extra throw was a detriment rather than an improvement. With the previous long-reach + long-throw I was smooth but fought unintended inputs - roll while pitching, pitch while rolling. Gotta find a new way to "offset" the grip angle (I'd rather not rotate the base, but I might do that).
This was intended to be a "rough draft" before I even made the first steel cut...and it is.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
![Image](http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/tkfoto/_TJK8642.jpg)
Thanks!Beaker wrote:Any plans to support your throttle arm?
I actually got quite lucky there. I deliberately built the throttle mount so that my arm would naturally rest fairly close to 85% throttle. As it turns out my arm is quite well supported when I'm at anything less than about 90-95% throttle. My humerus fits in nicely in the shaping of the seat...so when my hand is on the throttle my arm is totally supported. I see no need for an armrest there at all.
I'm debating whether I want a little support for my stick arm, but even that isn't uncomfortable as-is.
Interesting! Sounds like a lucky break.Teej wrote:My humerus fits in nicely in the shaping of the seat...so when my hand is on the throttle my arm is totally supported. I see no need for an armrest there at all.
Yeah you already have it, it's called your leg!Teej wrote:I'm debating whether I want a little support for my stick arm, but even that isn't uncomfortable as-is.
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)