Hello there

[snakedoc]

Hi everyone, new member here just got my registration approved today so thanks for that to begin with.

I've been flying DCS for a few years now and got obsessed with the F16C and so now I am in the process of designing and building a home pit for the viper. It all started with a TM warhog hotas and a couple of cubesim MFDs.

I will be doing a dedicated 3d but for now I've attached a couple of screenshot of my work. I took a lot of inspiration from "the warthog project" (YT) as how to design and build custom panels for my simpit. I have to give credit and thank the creator as he's been amazing putting online all his tips and guides on how to achieve this. So I have started designing my own panels which I will later cut & engrave out of acrylic sheets just like the warthog project.

I also have acquired some cockpit plans that I will be using to CNC MDF sheets to build a tub. This is the next major step. As I continue the work I will be uploading the progress and share the results

For now, a whole new forum is to be discovered.

cheers!

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[salaxi54]

Welcome aboard! Nice panel design, are you following the standard panel dimensions, or is this something custom for your needs?

[henkie]

Welcome!

Before you start doing a lot of work, I advise you to read (many hours  ) several build threads in this forum. That might save you a lot of work, effort, time, and perhaps money.

Your drawings of the panels looks good, but keep in mind that building a pit costs a lot of time. So maybe, you have to decide where you can put in your precious time, and which parts can be bought. It is a trade off between time and money. And of course skills and available tools.
For example, @Knight sells very nice panels that can also be backlit.

So, take some time reading here. I can tell, it will not be wasted time 

Needles to say, we like to see pictures as you progress with your build 

[snakedoc]

Welcome aboard! Nice panel design, are you following the standard panel dimensions, or is this something custom for your needs?

hey thanks! It's kinda both. I'm following standard panel dimensions (as accurate as I can be) but what I've changed are for ex. the hole sizes in mm rather than inches since it's easier to find all the hardware with metric dimension here. The text, switch position, panel dimensions, corner radiuses etc are realistic

Welcome!

Before you start doing a lot of work, I advise you to read (many hours  ) several build threads in this forum. That might save you a lot of work, effort, time, and perhaps money.

Your drawings of the panels looks good, but keep in mind that building a pit costs a lot of time. So maybe, you have to decide where you can put in your precious time, and which parts can be bought. It is a trade off between time and money. And of course skills and available tools.
For example, @Knight sells very nice panels that can also be backlit.

So, take some time reading here. I can tell, it will not be wasted time 

Needles to say, we like to see pictures as you progress with your build 

thank you! before showing up here I've done many (maybe too many lol) hours of researching and investigating but I'll be definitely dive into those threads to get few more ideas and inspirations.
Time/money subject: what I'm aiming for is a relatively "low cost" solution for a self build simpit (I know, crazy right?). I've seen many vendors offering panels ready to go but in order to keep costs down I'm planning to do most of the panels by myself (minus the ICP for example) so if I need I can tailor them to my needs (e.g. the backlight circuit will be my own contraption). That's why I like the approach that "the warthog project" took as its effective at keeping costs down with an excellent end result.

Will it be mil-spec with real switches etc? No, but it will be as close as possible while trying to contain the expenses.

Off to the CNC shop tomorrow, pics to come!

[henkie]

I am sure you will enjoy (or already did enjoy) @salaxi54 's build thread.

He is the master (IMHO) in making cool stuff from "garbage" 

[snakedoc]

I am sure you will enjoy (or already did enjoy) @salaxi54 's build thread.

He is the master (IMHO) in making cool stuff from "garbage" 

Just realised about your build. My god that’s impressive!

[Wolverine]

Welcome! 

[snakedoc]

grazie!

[Sandman]

 
The Admins would like to welcome you to Viperpits!

As you have noticed, we have many types of members here on Viperpits.

Some fly exclusively BMS Falcon, while others fly DCS or other flight simulator platforms. We even have members building non-F-16 cockpits.
All are welcome, as building techniques and interfacing are similar.

Many of us have been on this forum for 10years or more (still building and upgrading our builds). There is a lot of great material posted somewhere on this forum.

HINT #1: Try to use the "SEARCH" option first when you have a question. Searches are best done from the main home or main forum pages. If you try searching while viewing on a specific topic or post, the search may only look within that topic's posting, rather than ALL the forum postings. You will save lots of time (and money) if you see how other people have done things before trying it yourself.

Hint #2: We all learn from each other, and we love to see PHOTOS of your current projects. When you post an update, there is an option to upload photos (ATTACHMENTS) and insert them anywhere in your posting. We prefer uploading to the forum using attachments, rather than using the "Insert Image" icon. This avoid lost images and lost links in the future.

[snakedoc]

The Admins would like to welcome you to Viperpits!

As you have noticed, we have many types of members here on Viperpits.

Some fly exclusively BMS Falcon, while others fly DCS or other flight simulator platforms. We even have members building non-F-16 cockpits.
All are welcome, as building techniques and interfacing are similar.

Many of us have been on this forum for 10years or more (still building and upgrading our builds). There is a lot of great material posted somewhere on this forum.

HINT #1: Try to use the "SEARCH" option first when you have a question. Searches are best done from the main home or main forum pages. If you try searching while viewing on a specific topic or post, the search may only look within that topic's posting, rather than ALL the forum postings. You will save lots of time (and money) if you see how other people have done things before trying it yourself.

Hint #2: We all learn from each other, and we love to see PHOTOS of your current projects. When you post an update, there is an option to upload photos (ATTACHMENTS) and insert them anywhere in your posting. We prefer uploading to the forum using attachments, rather than using the "Insert Image" icon. This avoid lost images and lost links in the future.

thank you Sandman!

I have started a dedicated post for my build (couple of pictures inside already)

"The Viper Project"

[Boomer]

Welcome to the forum!!!