F-18 grip, WARTHOG compatible

[geneb]

Do yourself a favor and avoid Makerbot at all costs.

 

If you want to go with a pre-assembled machine, I would recommend the LulzBot TAZ. (http://www.lulzbot.com)

 

If you're up to building your own machine, a Prusa i3 design is a good, simple to build machine. You can learn more about that here: http://reprap.org/wiki/Prusa_i3 People seem to like the design.

 

If you want a kit, go for a Rostock MAX - I wrote the assembly manual for it and it's a GREAT machine. :D (see http://www.geneb.org/rostock-max/geneb-orange-menace.jpg) :)

 

You should also hang out on the #reprap IRC channel on the freenode network. You won't find a more knowledgeable bunch of folks on 3D printing.

 

I'll be happy to answer any questions you've got about 3D printing - just PM me.

 

g.

[ishtmail]

I will certainly be following this thread closely. If replacement grips (and replacement throttle handles) for TM Warthog are being made, especially if they will be Sukhoi SU27/33/35, I am here to throw money at you big time, hegykc.

[GodsPrototype]

OMG IM SO EXITED! Thank you so much! Unfortunately, kickstarter doesn't accept paypal. I missed out on many things because of this :(.

 

I am very clueless on these attachments to be honest, even though I have been following this thread for a long time. I have a few questions if you don't mind to answer them, hegykc.

 

So if I'm correct you will be selling HOTAS sets for the F-15 and F/A-18, because these are the two I am very interested in. I want to know how easy it is to set up with my current HOTAS Warthog.

 

1. Is it as simple as detaching my current stick and replacing it with a new stick? How would that work with the throttle, because I have never done it before. Or would it be a completely new throttle set (I assume not because this would be quite expensive I assume)

 

2. What you're saying is that probably before February or during February of 2014, we will be able to purchase these sets from you worldwide. Will you accept paypal as a payment method and where will you sell these sets exactly?

 

3. Will the HOTAS sets be exact models of the F-15 and F/A-18, meaning that all buttons are there?

 

4. What is the build quality of these sets? From my understanding, 3D printers only print plastic, not metal, am I correct? So will these sets contain metal parts? And what about the buttons? I remember you mentioning something about that you ordered the buttons separately?

 

5. What were the pedals you were talking about earlier and something about the WWII kickstarter project. I currently have the Saitek Pro Flight pedals, which are ok, but what type of pedals are the ones you gave a link to? Is it something that models WWII aircraft? Or just for any type of simulation? And does it actually function?

 

If you don't have the time to answer these, no pressure. Thank you so much for this project once again! I can't tell you enough how much we all appreciate your work. I haven't seen a lot of people on this thread, but I'm sure that once you start selling, people will be begging for these HOTAS sets!

[geneb]

Just FYI, neither the grip, nor the throttle quadrant handles are made of metal in the F-15. Here's a pic of an opened grip:

http://www.geneb.org/images/opened-grip.jpg

 

g.

[Burner_Tbird2]

I would be interested in whatever non-metal grip passes your torture tests. Preferably unpainted black plastic/resin.

 

I have no idea why metal grips became popular in the flight sim community but they're the wrong material for a variety of reasons. But hey, to each his own.

[geneb]

Metal grips are used in "real life" on a few aircraft. I know that the F-16 stick is cast aluminum and I think the A-10C grip is as well. The F-15E, Post-MSIP II C and F/A-18 grips are cast plastic (or some other non-metal material).

 

g.

[hegykc]

1. Is it as simple as detaching my current stick and replacing it with a new stick? How would that work with the throttle, because I have never done it before. Or would it be a completely new throttle set (I assume not because this would be quite expensive I assume)

 

2. What you're saying is that probably before February or during February of 2014, we will be able to purchase these sets from you worldwide. Will you accept paypal as a payment method and where will you sell these sets exactly?

 

3. Will the HOTAS sets be exact models of the F-15 and F/A-18, meaning that all buttons are there?

 

4. What is the build quality of these sets? From my understanding, 3D printers only print plastic, not metal, am I correct? So will these sets contain metal parts? And what about the buttons? I remember you mentioning something about that you ordered the buttons separately?

 

5. What were the pedals you were talking about earlier and something about the WWII kickstarter project. I currently have the Saitek Pro Flight pedals, which are ok, but what type of pedals are the ones you gave a link to? Is it something that models WWII aircraft? Or just for any type of simulation? And does it actually function?

 

1. The grips will be as simple as it is with the current Warthog grip, just attach/detach. I could produce those now, but not in perfect finish quality, and not in larger quantities, and I don't want any compromises. The throttles are a different story. It would require dissembling a 450$ unit, and that's not the smartest way to go about it. So they'll probably be a separate add on. Expensive? We'll see :D

 

2. By the beginning of 2014 I'll be making my first prototypes. There will maybe be some open beta testing :) I wouldn't count on any finished products until later in the year, Maybe even 2015. I don't want to get tied up into making single orders, because I could do that even now. I want to have tooling and production processes figured out and done. So I can make a thousand pieces, box them, and have them ready to go when needed. That's the only way to have them at consumer prices.

 

3. I want replicas, so you'll have replicas.

 

4. Prototypes will be of the lowest quality, something like seen in the picture I posted before. The printer I'm building is capable of surface finishing that can rival that of injection molded parts. Everything that's plastic in real life will be plastic made by me. But you can see the difference in wall thickness in something like a cheap "made in china" joystick and a real F-15 grip Geneb posted. Plastic can still be heavy-duty. Everything will be made in heavy duty plastic resin. If it's metal in real life, I'll offer metal replicas, at higher prices.

 

5. http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3782056/Rudder_pedals_prototype_1_poss#Post3782056

 

Best pedals money can buy right now, outside of russian VKB which are full metal, but don't ship outside Russia? and cost about 2-3 times as much.

[hegykc]

This would be the difference between prototype surface quality (although much better than the actual example) printed on a hobby FDM printer. And final product printed by a DLP printer.

 

If I don't approve even the DLP quality, then I make molds for cold resin casting.

 

[geneb]

You also could offer a "low fidelity" version that's not resin cast for a cheaper price.

 

g.

[GodsPrototype]

1. The grips will be as simple as it is with the current Warthog grip, just attach/detach. I could produce those now, but not in perfect finish quality, and not in larger quantities, and I don't want any compromises. The throttles are a different story. It would require dissembling a 450$ unit, and that's not the smartest way to go about it. So they'll probably be a separate add on. Expensive? We'll see :D

 

2. By the beginning of 2014 I'll be making my first prototypes. There will maybe be some open beta testing :) I wouldn't count on any finished products until later in the year, Maybe even 2015. I don't want to get tied up into making single orders, because I could do that even now. I want to have tooling and production processes figured out and done. So I can make a thousand pieces, box them, and have them ready to go when needed. That's the only way to have them at consumer prices.

 

3. I want replicas, so you'll have replicas.

 

4. Prototypes will be of the lowest quality, something like seen in the picture I posted before. The printer I'm building is capable of surface finishing that can rival that of injection molded parts. Everything that's plastic in real life will be plastic made by me. But you can see the difference in wall thickness in something like a cheap "made in china" joystick and a real F-15 grip Geneb posted. Plastic can still be heavy-duty. Everything will be made in heavy duty plastic resin. If it's metal in real life, I'll offer metal replicas, at higher prices.

 

5. http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3782056/Rudder_pedals_prototype_1_poss#Post3782056

 

Best pedals money can buy right now, outside of russian VKB which are full metal, but don't ship outside Russia? and cost about 2-3 times as much.

 

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer all those questions! All of them have been answered. Good luck!

[MudRat02]

Any progress with these flightstick grips? I've been eagerly awaiting any sort of news ;)

[hegykc]

Best case scenario was I start by the end of this year. That's not looking likely due to life getting in the way :)

 

I have a scheduled payout in January 2014 from my business venture so it looks like I'll be buying my equipment early next year.

 

In the meantime I'm buying up and gathering plans and drawings, especially on WWII stuff, and working on completing the 3d models.

 

Also talking to some of the other builders, in an effort to combine our efforts into one awesome and affordable product.

 

So there probably won't be much news until early next year...

[badger66]

Felt like plastic to me...

 

Or bakealight ..... Id be interested in a change of joystick around the 150 USD price .

 

What other grips do you intend to do please ?

[geneb]

FYI, my count just went up by one:

 

:D

 

g.

[hegykc]

FYI, my count just went up by one:

 

:D

 

g.

 

You must be planning an invasion of some sort :)

 

Or bakealight ..... Id be interested in a change of joystick around the 150 USD price .

 

What other grips do you intend to do please ?

 

Take your pick :

 

But this actually depends on DCS, whatever they make, I want to fly it. With real look alike or replica controls.

[Postal2]

I want a same grip and throttle than F-15. for moment !

 

after F-18^^ !

 

Please!

 

Thank's !

 

 

do you think's can do make this like Suncom F-15 but compatible whith Warthog base! .

[MudRat02]

At the moment I just want to print an f18 grip so I can throw it on my diy base.

 

Nice work on the rest of the grips too, they look very authentic! I tried to do this a few months ago but my 3d skills aren't quite up to it ;)

[ruso]

Hi, Do you know where I can get the switches or knobs of the joystick?

[geneb]

The stick of the F-15C and F/A-18C are the same. Not the throttles though

 

The stick grips on the F-15C and F/A-18C are not the same. The side switch on the F-15C grip is very different in molding contour than the F/A-18. The hat & castle switches are flipped left/right between the two as well.

 

g.

[MudRat02]

The stick grips on the F-15C and F/A-18C are not the same. The side switch on the F-15C grip is very different in molding contour than the F/A-18. The hat & castle switches are flipped left/right between the two as well.

 

g.

 

The shape of the whole top end is different too, though at a glance looks quite similar.

[geneb]

Nothing like visual aids. *laughs*

 

The manufacturer for both has a nice glossy they've put together of their product line. http://essexindustries.com/sites/default/files/AD-B-022212_Platform%20Controls_7.pdf

 

The F-15C/E and F/A-18 grips are shown on page 2.

 

g.

[GodsPrototype]

@hegykc, any updates or progress? I would really like to hear some news about how it's going.

[Mr_Burns]

One of those looks like the Typhoon Throttle tops...

[hegykc]

After 15 pages of boring writing, I would like my next updates to be pictures of actual prototypes. February 2014 I think will be a very interesting month :)

[GodsPrototype]

After 15 pages of boring writing, I would like my next updates to be pictures of actual prototypes. February 2014 I think will be a very interesting month :)

 

Ohh that sounds interesting. Thanks for the update. Can't wait.