Yooooke!

[jackpilot]

Got this today...Ebay deal at $200, just missing the trim switch cover.
Stick shaker included , have to make it work out of curiosty!
Cheers
JP

[Bob Reed]

WOW!! What a grab! The yoke is worth that.

[ivar hestnes]

Nice deal you got there Jack.

(Ivar trying to visualize how that would look on a motorized skateboard) 

[jackpilot]

What about keeping it tight between your knees and zoom down the street on rollerskates!

Ok More seriously:
The wiring is there but has been cut flush with the column.
To get at it I have to separate the column from the assembly.
Check the following pic , you can see screws,
Anyone knowing how to?

[Garys]

Hi Jack,

It would be easier to remove the yoke from the control head and work the wiring towards the bottom of the column as there should be about 4 inches of slack in the yoke so as not to strain the wiring when turning.

To remove the yoke is very simple. First remove the 3 screws from behind the yoke holding the clipboard to gain access to the nut and washer which holds the yoke onto the column with that allen key bolt you see at the back. As its a bevel gear setup I suggest making alignment marks on top of the gears before removing the yoke from the column to help in re aligning the yoke again on installation. Its easy to be a gear out and not have the yoke sit straight, but seeing as yours is cut at the bottom I dont think you would have that problem.

Gary

[Aerosim Solutions]

Hi Jack, what a bargain you got there, well done!

Roberto at www.throttletek.com would be able to supply you with a trim switch surround.

Cheers, Gwyn

[jackpilot]

Thanks guys.
Putting things apart is always a plunge into unknown.
Appreciate the tips helping to avoid big mistakes.
It is always great fun to play with the real gizmos....
Ailerons will be easy to interface as the mechanism is there .Elevators will mean building a whole base with dampers....new project!!

[jackpilot]

My first idea was to resell the stick shaker.
No way José, I powered it with 12v only and the darn thing jarred my crowns!!!
Too much fun. I keep it.
Do you think I could find a relay triggered by a card output (to avoid setting up a complete IO relay card like the Phidgets or Sys Cards) ?

[Boeing Skunk Works]

If the bird has a stall warning indicator you could take a feed off of that to power a relay for the shaker.

Of course, we all know we don't get ourselves into those kinds of situations where it would actually be needed...don't we.

[727737Nut]

No we pilots don't but it sure is fun to scare people who are flying the sim. I used to tell them, pull the pwr back, pull back on the yoke, hold, hold it, hold it, BAM!  Scares'em to death, hilarious!

[Aerosim Solutions]

Thanks guys.
Elevators will mean building a whole base with dampers....new project!!

Hi Jack, (transponder code 7500!!!)

Following up the well received generic TQ throttle base/potentiometer drive mechanism, I took on designing a yoke column pivot base with an incorporated geared potentiometer drive. The CNC drawings are all complete but I haven't had time to produce a unit to offer as a product yet. I should be able to produce unit within a week and I will announce it as an available product when it is complete. This should remove the headache of interfacing pitch on a yoke column for many builders and that is my plan for this product! Stay tuned!!!

Cheers, Gwyn
www.aerosimsolutions.com.au

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

hey gwyn,
this new idea is interesting.   i'd like to see this.
and jack, if you dont manage to get a trim surround, let me know, i may be just be able to sort you out 
rgds ... ian

[jackpilot]

Good idea Gwyn...My brain gears were already turning on that one.
The aileron tube inside the column is rotating nicely but nothing avail  for pitch of course.
Ian, Will keep U posted on that one . Very kind.
JP

[fsaviator]

Nice...

I got one too for about that price on ebay.  Same deal, it was cut off.  Not sure what the logic is there, and it's really a shame that whoever is taking these planes apart isn't taking the time to do it right.

I removed the column by unscrewing the three like-size screws that run around the post near the top.  The post then slides off leaving you with the yoke, the l-shaped piece the yoke is attached to, the down-shaft for the aileron and the cable.  It is interesting, but the cable is actually sheathed in a tube within the tube, which is attached to the inside of the post by the screws that run down the back.

I took the whole tube in to Lowe's (home improvement store) and had them match the paint.  I also had them tint a primer to match the green paint so I am priming everything with baby-poop green now.

Warren

[jackpilot]

Thanks for the info
Primer: Dupli-color etching primer for Aluminum at a NAPA Store, $6.00 a Spray can and the color is the right yearchy  green,
JP

[jackpilot]

Need expert advice:
The yoke is in pretty good shape except 2 places.
The black finish is thick so what is the best filler to use before making a touch up on those areas?

[Trevor Hale]

I would suggest Bondo...  (Like for car repair).. sand and refinish if you need too.

[Steve A]

If it were mine Jack and i was stripping it completely i would get it shotblasted and re-powder coated

[Boeing Skunk Works]

Powder coating is not the original finish on Boeing control yokes. The aluminum yoke is dipped in polyuerethane. Much like the same material bowling balls are made of on the outer surface.

Contact Nick at Airline Pilots Historical Society. He can have your yoke refinished by the same company that provides the service for Boeing.

[Steve A]

Thanks for the info, i wasn't sure if it would be possible to powder coat, the yokes are cast aluminium?  I remember whenever we had aluminium to coat at my old company we etched it and then stove enamel baked it, the finish is gorgeous and thick.

[jackpilot]

Here it is, in its new glory.
All restored and working .
After cleaning/ sanding/ body filling /sanding and priming....I painted the yoke with a satin finish to match my Ace Yoke...Ali would be proud of me!
The clip board is an Ace model too. fits perfectly on this real yoke, same holes.
You may compare with the original picture at the start of this thread.
Happy camper

[727737Nut]

Nice Job Jack!!   I missed out my yoke on ebay, i put the wrong price in esnipe. Duh!

[mpl330]

Nice work Jack - looks great 

Cheers
Mike

[matta757]

Looks great Jack! It also is a testament to the quality of the ACE 737 yoke, as it looks exactly the same!

Matt