787 TQ Box

[jackpilot]

Coming along.
Levers basically OK
First rough assembly of 1/8"metal plates

[Boeing Skunk Works]

So far, so good Jack!

[ivar hestnes]

Very nice Jack. You are making yourself a very good piece of hardware there. 

[jackpilot]

Was a long day...at that stage everything is a matter of millimeter to fit the faceplates.
Never really goes as planned, coming along though.

[XOrionFE]

looking great Jack!   I think your finished result is going to be awesome.

Scott

[jackpilot]

Thanks Scott.
99% fun. 1% fear
Now it is reaching a danger zone. As it starts to look like what it is supposed to be, there is a strong temptation to rush things or take shortcuts to finish it. Like using some MDF to build the spacers between the plates instead of cutting tediously small (shiny) aluminum brackets...etc etc..
But NO, I will continue in the same vein! Just awfully long.

[Wendy]

Very nice Jack, I wish I could work with aluminium like you do.


Regards, Wendy

[Trevor Hale]

Just have another scotch before you cut each piece of aluminum.  That otta keep you going slow.  Man, that just looks incredible.

Trev

[jackpilot]

Positioning the power levers...

[NAX228]

nice work!

[Boeing Skunk Works]

Great looking throttles!

[Trevor Hale]

Jack you must be so proud. OMG that is amazing..  God dude.. You get the gold medal here for sure. Its beautiful.

Trev

[XOrionFE]

Wow.   Those are looking awesome!!    They will undoubtedly be a joy to fly.    And nothing like being able to respond "I did" when someone steps in your pit and marvels at those throttles and asks you who made them!

Nice work.

Regards,
Scott

[jackpilot]

An update....(God it is slow, I always miss something and have to go back to the hardware store..etc etc but it is worth it.)


Those pics show how it is put together.
Pic1: Throttle #1  module closed and Lever#2 in place
pic 2:Throttle #2 module closed
This way bothe throttles are self contained in one asembly with their own axle and clutches.
Picture 3: speed brake module added and showing flap module before attaching it.
Pic4: the TQ, with the three assemblies together.
This allow quick access from both sides for maintenance and adjustments.
PS: the feel of those clutches set at some 5-10 pounds is .....whaoooo!

[DarrylH]

Really stunning work Jack! I'm deeply envious of your skills

[jackpilot]

(Thanks Daryl. Just enthusiasm and a LOT of trial and errors.)

Check others above, this is another shot

[jackpilot]

Starting the interfacing.
I decided to go with Phidgets sliders.
Using a piano string rod for link. Easy to work with, can be heated red to make smooth attach points and very rigid so that there is no play.
Translating the circular motion into a straight line works fine as the angle in no more than 60°.
Spoilers first. Here are two pics.

[Steve A]

It looks so well engineered Jack, The phidgets sliders you are using, do they have to be plugged into a phidgets interface board?
I ask because they are about a quarter the price of the ones i was going to order from sim parts. I don't need to ask if they are good quality if they are going in your throttle!!

[jackpilot]

Nope,  plug into any interface card or joystick.
And they come with a neat plug and wire.

(A slider is a pot, with 3 wires out. )

[shaneb]

Hey Jack,

I had missed this thread somehow . . . that is really fantastic craftsmanship.  That is going to be a first rate TQ, looking forward to seeing more of your project.  Oh, and I know what you are saying about the trips to the hardware store . . for the smallest project I will make multiple trips! Thankfully the store is located less than a mile from home.

[jackpilot]

Finished the Fuel Control Panel which sits in center front of the TQ.
I got the locking toggles on Ebay last year.
The guards have been painted with the  Gunship Gray from Testor. Perfect match with the panel color.
Had to put aluminum reinforcement at the back as flipping those heavy duty toggles is hard on the lightplate.

[XOrionFE]

That is really some beautiful craftsmanship Jack!   

Scott

[fsaviator]

Jack,

truly great work.  It looks fantastic.

Warren

[DarrylH]

Great work Jack, I'll be looking into those phidgets sliders for my Prop and Mixture.


Nice job mate


Darryl

[Boeing Skunk Works]

Great work Jack. Very professional.