, the only thing I need a keyboard for now is naming and saving tracks. 
I have realized that starting with the seat, and making the pit flyable is a disadvantage...now I can't stay out of it long enough to get the rest of it done!! 
Gunner's Pit
Time for another update - I finally skinned the side consoles and finished my "temporary" panels and switches. The panels will eventually be much more accurate and realistic, but these hold the switches and knobs, and all that I use on a regular basis are functional in the sim. I have now virtually eliminated the keyboard...unintentional pun, but it works , the only thing I need a keyboard for now is naming and saving tracks. I have realized that starting with the seat, and making the pit flyable is a disadvantage...now I can't stay out of it long enough to get the rest of it done!!
, the only thing I need a keyboard for now is naming and saving tracks. I have realized that starting with the seat, and making the pit flyable is a disadvantage...now I can't stay out of it long enough to get the rest of it done!! 
Gunner, that is just... Aaah... (drooling)... WOW!!! 
...slurp!!!
You're putting all the other pit builders to shame with your outstanding work! This is one of the most impressive pits I've ever seen and knowing that you've build this from scratch yourself, just makes it all the more impressive. Can't wait to see the backlit Thunderbird logo eventually!
...slurp!!! You're putting all the other pit builders to shame with your outstanding work! This is one of the most impressive pits I've ever seen and knowing that you've build this from scratch yourself, just makes it all the more impressive. Can't wait to see the backlit Thunderbird logo eventually!
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Rotorblade
- Posts: 192
- Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:57 pm
Just want to let Lawndart know I'm working on it!!
I'm playing around with a couple ideas for the Logo at the back of the seat. I've got the plexiglas cut, now it's hours of sanding and polishing...
On a piece I messed up with the router, I'm trying a couple different ways of doing the logo - originally my idea was to have both halves engraved with mirror images on inside and light from below, but there would be no color to it.
Here is my first test with a color graphic, it looks ok with ambient lighting, but with LEDS lit(I grabbed green ones out of my stash instead of white, but I think the result would be the same), all it does is light up every imperfection in the plastic, and especially the glue...
Like I said, they weren't supposed to be green LED's but I think the result would be similar with white...Yeuuck!
I'm playing around with a couple ideas for the Logo at the back of the seat. I've got the plexiglas cut, now it's hours of sanding and polishing...
On a piece I messed up with the router, I'm trying a couple different ways of doing the logo - originally my idea was to have both halves engraved with mirror images on inside and light from below, but there would be no color to it.
Here is my first test with a color graphic, it looks ok with ambient lighting, but with LEDS lit(I grabbed green ones out of my stash instead of white, but I think the result would be the same), all it does is light up every imperfection in the plastic, and especially the glue...
Like I said, they weren't supposed to be green LED's but I think the result would be similar with white...Yeuuck!
Do we discourage double posts? If so, I'm discouraged.
I decided to postpone the lighting - I'll still do it, but I doubled up the transparency and I think the color graphic looks OK for now, and I'm tired of that empty slot. I like the color, I think I will see if the trophy shop can add color when they engrave the logo.
I decided to postpone the lighting - I'll still do it, but I doubled up the transparency and I think the color graphic looks OK for now, and I'm tired of that empty slot.
I like the color, I think I will see if the trophy shop can add color when they engrave the logo. Gunner, I think the lack of response is simply because everyone's speechless!!!
I still think you ought to sandblast the logo in and use a backlit glass, but it looks awesome! I'd go for the Thunderbird patch instead of the AF combo and possibly make it a bit smaller to better center it on the glass.
You're putting the rest of us to shame regardless!
I still think you ought to sandblast the logo in and use a backlit glass, but it looks awesome! I'd go for the Thunderbird patch instead of the AF combo and possibly make it a bit smaller to better center it on the glass.
You're putting the rest of us to shame regardless!
Thank you all for your comments, but this really is just a temporary piece nowLawndart wrote: I still think you ought to sandblast the logo in and use a backlit glass, but it looks awesome! I'd go for the Thunderbird patch instead of the AF combo and possibly make it a bit smaller to better center it on the glass.
. I'm pretty sure if I have the engraving/sandblasting done on the inside surface of each piece, it will light up nicely with white LED's, and I'll bet there is a translucent paint I can color it with. I agree with you about using just the T-Bird patch, but this looks OK for now. -
Burner
- Virtual Thunderbird Alumnus
- Posts: 1420
- Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2005 5:08 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
You may get better results by adding some paper or other opaque material to cover the LEDs. This will diffuse the light source and hopefully make any scratches less noticable. This will also help make any opaque engraving/sandblasting more noticable by hitting with light from many directions instead of one or two.
Also I would guess, though I'm not looking at the piece so I can't know for sure, that any seen imperfections are from the cutting process or general handling. You might be able to have the engraver cut 1/16" off the top before engraving, giving a nice smooth uniform transparency. If the engraver can't do it a mill could get the job done, some polishing would have to be done, but any deep scratches would be wiped away.
That seat just keeps gettin cooler and cooler, give me a heads up when we're attaching the rocket motors
Also I would guess, though I'm not looking at the piece so I can't know for sure, that any seen imperfections are from the cutting process or general handling. You might be able to have the engraver cut 1/16" off the top before engraving, giving a nice smooth uniform transparency. If the engraver can't do it a mill could get the job done, some polishing would have to be done, but any deep scratches would be wiped away.
That seat just keeps gettin cooler and cooler, give me a heads up when we're attaching the rocket motors
Tom, It is obvious from those pics that you will shame me when it is all finished 
. I was just thinking the past couple days that I haven't really given you much credit for my stick base. If anyone is building a pit, and is using the FSSB mod, Bad Boy is the man to talk to! His stick base is so solid and well put together, it's the only way to go .
. I was just thinking the past couple days that I haven't really given you much credit for my stick base. If anyone is building a pit, and is using the FSSB mod, Bad Boy is the man to talk to! His stick base is so solid and well put together, it's the only way to go .