F-18 grip, WARTHOG compatible

[AurelTristen]

Holy mother of god. I just stumbled upon this thread today. Read the whole thing start to finish. Have to say, it was super inspiring to read because I essentially got to watch this project go from a glimmer in a maker's eye to what seems to be approaching reality.

 

I'm still skeptical because this kind of thing has never been done before, but I'm glued to my screen because... this kind of thing has never been done before! I've been following 3D printing and small scale manufacturing for ages with this itching feeling that it might lead to a moment like this (high quality, highly specialized products for a niche community at affordable prices) but I didn't expect it to be in this sector, one that I'm a big fan of.

 

I support this project 100%, including putting money down on equipment, and if I had anything useful to contribute to it (as a photographer and web designer) I'd offer those services for free.

 

Please keep up the hard work! And please consider starting a video blog of your progress!

[Grim_Smiles]

I remember seeing what looked like a WWII fighter stick in one of the prototype CAD design images you posted and had a question. With the metal flip cover over the firing button, would there be a way to have the flipping of the cover on the physical stick trigger the sim to flip the cover on the virtual stick? Or would that not be possible? I understand this might not be possible for you to answer until you make a physical prototype.

[Sokol1_br]

This is possible, but need a hidden micro switch under the trigger in safety - as in the photo - position to send signal do the game turn the virtual trigger (DCS Bf 109 K-4, Fw 190 D-9).

 

Edited May 15, 2015 by Sokol1_br

[mhe]

Uhhh, don't you already have a A-10C if you have the Warthog? Why would you need another one?

 

If he also does a new base with superior gimbals, I'm definitely getting that. But yes, given the sticks he makes are compatible with the warthog, the warthog stick must also be compatible with the base he intends to make. Good catch there, thanks. ;)

[RabidRider]

Would be great if you and Milan could create something like the VBS ProCyclic MG Base Unit

 

http://www.komodosimulations.co.uk/cyclic.html

 

You can also use different Komodo cyclic sticks.

[98abaile]

Yeah, that would be cool if it was affordable, but given the price of the crosswinds, I'm not much hopeful.

[RabidRider]

Can't be that much more expensive than Komodo's own products?

[Python]

I'm definitely down for an F-18 grip!

[Bullant]

Link to this thread was posted on Facebook today. Holy cow, it is not often that I will read every single post in a 57 page thread in one sitting!

 

Count me in, I want them. All of them :)

[Bushranger]

I'd be more than happy to pay 100$+ for one of these sticks! :thumbup:

 

Keep up the great work buddy, you should get a kickstarter going! :thumbup: :pilotfly:

[hegykc]

Quick question before an update:

 

what's the deal with shut off, idle, afterburner etc. detents on the F-18 throttles?

 

I know people requested a mod for warthog throttles, to change the "lift-up" detent to a "push-through" detent. Should it be like that?

 

And how many detents should there be (and for what)?

[Deadman]

A copy of the F 18-1 should have all the information you need it is on line just google it. I am on my phone or I would just attach one here and save you the time.

[Sgt_Baker]

Just for the record: The issue with the TM HOTAS throttle is that the "lift" force required to overcome the springs is more or less the same as required to lift the entire unit.

 

Silly oversight, that.

[Greekbull]

I personally would prefer the shutoff to still be a lift over setup. But detects that we can push through for afterburner would be awesome!

[SDsc0rch]

Quick question before an update:

 

what's the deal with shut off, idle, afterburner etc. detents on the F-18 throttles?

 

I know people requested a mod for warthog throttles, to change the "lift-up" detent to a "push-through" detent. Should it be like that?

 

And how many detents should there be (and for what)?

 

i've gone in and filed down the piece so that it is a "push through" action that engages the afterburner

 

there should only be one detent

[Greekbull]

i've gone in and filed down the piece so that it is a "push through" action that engages the afterburner

 

there should only be one detent

 

Hmm so there's a stop point but you can push through it? Would love to see a pic of what you did to the detent! That's what I need to do.

[98abaile]

2nd that, would like to see your modified detent SDsc0rch.

[Ktulu2]

Just for the record: The issue with the TM HOTAS throttle is that the "lift" force required to overcome the springs is more or less the same as required to lift the entire unit.

 

Silly oversight, that.

 

Thats why mine is screwed onto my flying chair...

As fot the question, do what the real plane has if possible.

[txmtb]

I'll third that SDsc0rch, I filed mine down a little so the lift wasn't so high, but was worried to go further and mess it up.

[Grim_Smiles]

What Sgt Baker mentions is an issue I had as well before grabbing a cockpit setup where I could anchor the throttle down. Prior to that I actually stopped using the detent because of the throttle lifting and moving, instead I'd push forward until burner kicked in then throttled back until it cut out. Definitely an oversight by TM. Anchoring it down solves it but not everyone has that option. If it's possible it might be a good idea to sell both a push through and a lift detent, gives everyone the option that's best for them.

[hegykc]

If it's possible it might be a good idea to sell both a push through and a lift detent, gives everyone the option that's best for them.

 

Done and done.

[Eddie]

I imagine that SDsc0rch has simply trimmed down the detent as I have, and as show in the pic below. Simple case of shaving of a small amount of material with a scalpel/file until you get the desired "push through" effect.

 

I only had to remove a few mm of plastic to end up with a nice solid stop that you can push through by adding just a bit more force than you'd normally use to move the throttles.

 

[ggerman]

I just made this modification to the detent on my Warthog throttle and it works great! Very easy to do!

 

I just scraped the sharp edge down a tiny bit with an X-acto knife and then smoothed and rounded the edge with a miniature rasp file. The plastic used for the detent is easy to scrape with the X-acto knife and very easy to file, yet it's firm enough that you don't have to worry about going too far and removing too much plastic. Just remove very small amounts at a time, then smooth the scraped area with the file and test it in between until you've found the optimum resistance. The key is to have a very rounded edge on the little plastic "wings" of the detent insert.

 

The push-through requires very little extra force, yet the throttle seats firmly into the detent to give a definite distinction between military power and AB. Works great for the DCS F-15C! The AB engages/disengages right at the detent.

 

Thanks to SDsc0rch and Eddie for the tip!

 

Greg

Edited June 2, 2015 by ggerman

[DTWD]

I have also done this, works great. Go slow though, I did too much at first and had to build it back up with resin.

[SDsc0rch]

yep! that is exactly correct ----- good job guys

8)

 

 

 

and yeah, be careful ----- i filed away, seated it back in the throttle, tried it out - filed some more, put it back in, filed some more

 

and you have to do that for both sides (left and right throttle grips)