Looking for any person that built Single seat 737NG

[usajet93]

Hi I am looking for any person that built a Single seat 737NG with MIP, CDU frame, Throttle pedestal and Radio pedestal. I was wondering what the cost of it to build it yourself out of wood. I am looking for just the build of the cockpit not the AP, Radios etc. I am looking at it at all angles. Should I build or buy!!  I have seen the new JETMAX and some others and they are very nice. But no matter what I do it may take a lot of time to complete.(MONEY)

And if you can send me some pics @ nsowers8811@wowway.com

Thank You Nathan

[Boeing Skunk Works]

If you have the talent and tools, anything you build yourself will ultimately be cheaper. It can also be just as professional looking as anything sold for ten times the price. Thought it might take longer (which I'm beginning to doubt given some horror stories I've read in the past) to build you will save money that can be used for things you can't, or don't want to build.

It's a wonder some suppliers haven't priced themselves right out of the market.

[Garys]

Have you considered that the sim builder isnt the only market that they target?

[jackpilot]

Nathan, this is just my 2¢

I built my previous 737 Sim out of MDF.
When you see a Mip base it seems like a fairly easy structure to build, and I would say that it can be done in no time..... but only the second time!!!

Because first of all, you will need the tooling: a table saw, a column drill, a hot glue gun, jig saw..etc etc. + a well ventilated workshop because MDF generates tons a super fine and toxic sawdust.
Then , finding the right measurements, angles, spacing, is more difficult than it seems as widely available sources disagree on some.
Then you have to translate all these into precision cuts...and assemble the bits and pieces which fit or not. Unless you have a perfectly flat horizontal surface to work on, you will have to chop off a few mm here and there.
The worst part comes when you just realize that you have to change your design because some bracket is  in the way of something, or the central monitor is 1/4" too high or God knows what.
Then you have to paint.Fairly easy to do, but once painted you have to work with extreme caution to avoid chipping the paint.
Then  when time comes to put the hardware and panels on, some new mods are necessary , ex: the MCP overhang has to be rock solid , the glare wings also. I had to redo that top structure twice to get it perfectly stable...
Finally you have to build it in a way that is easy to disassemble if needed....
This is why, the first one takes an eternity to build properly.
As Mike puts it, If you think you have the talent to do it, go for it . It is rewarding.
If not, and If you can spare some money, buy a reputable kit at least for the basic structure. Easier faster cleaner...a HUGE head start.

[usajet93]

Thanks all for the feedback. One of the kits I looked at is Gold Medal 737 Personal Kit and for the price  is good for what you get. But I have a friend that is great at building things out of wood and I know I can cut cost and put the extra money into other things. I have thought about every angle and the thought of just ordering a kit is much easier I just want the satisfaction of me doing it myself (And with some help)and to save cash.

I know that by judging by the prices of some of these sims they are more geared for professional then home user. I only say that by the prices I've seen.

Thanks Nathan

[kondrat]

Nathan,

Fully agreed with Jack. I also looked to build most parts myself. Draw everything in 3D but when I visited Flight Deck Solution shop I understood that I could not reach the quality and after spending so much time decided to buy KEY parts for my 777 sim. Parts like MIP/MAIN, GLARE, CDU bay and even Radio box. I know it cost but spending time, materials also cost money. So I will suggest to go with main, professionally manufactured parts.

Just my thoughts,

Regards,

Denis

[usajet93]

HI Denis

I see what you are both saying. And it would be a lot easier just to buy. I just have a lot of thinking to do. Thank you for your advice.

Nathan

[XOrionFE]

I too spent a ton of time trying to build myself and already had a full woodworking shop when i began.  i also bought a cnc and learned how to use it as well as drawing, etc.  i also bought many real parts to integrate and dont get me wrong but i had fun at this stage.  in the end though after facing one issue after another and wasting tons and tons of time on even what seemed the most trivial details (which later became not so trivial as Jack pointed out) i too went to a Flightdeck Solutions open house and was forever changed.   i learned that there was so much that they have done that i couldnt have dreamed of doing without far greater expense in time and money than what it would cost me to buy their kits and build. Of course I am also fortunate to have the income and a very understanding wife to support me.   Every time I put something together from FDS I am just amazed at the engineering and thought they have put into their products.  I recently put together the electrical cab and pressurization panels from them and everything just fit together and perfectly.  it would have probably taken me a year to accomplish something similiar.  Anyway, look very seriously at your own abilities, resources and time and make the best choice for yourself.   Hopefully it will be fun whichever way you take so above all enjoy the journey!

Scott

[NeoMorph]

Nathan, if you are going the "build it yourself" path, buy Mike Powell's "Building Recreational Flight Simulators". There is a sticky at the top of the Builders Discussions section of this forum. It's got a ton of good ideas in there, both build and buy paths.

[ivar hestnes]

I made my own MIP. Well at least the structure. That was not difficult at all, and it too me a couple days to do the base structure. The good thing about making in wood/MDF is that it is very easy to add/modify on it as you go along. But I had a manufactured panelkit to put on it.

To do a homemade mip, you need to decide on measurements. Compare what you can find on the internet, and do your own judgement on those. Make a sideprofile drawing, and a frontprofile. Then you can easily see how things go together.

If money is not a problem, buy a premanufactured unit. Else, it is a rewarding and fun job to build a mip. And it can be done cheap. In my opinion there is two factors that goes to build a sim Money or time. If you have less money, then spend more time to make your own stuff good. If you dont have time, then you can spend

my two nickles..

[Bob Reed]

I like what Ivar has said here. I agree 100%!

I made my own MIP. Well at least the structure. That was not difficult at all, and it too me a couple days to do the base structure. The good thing about making in wood/MDF is that it is very easy to add/modify on it as you go along. But I had a manufactured panelkit to put on it.

To do a homemade mip, you need to decide on measurements. Compare what you can find on the internet, and do your own judgement on those. Make a sideprofile drawing, and a frontprofile. Then you can easily see how things go together.

If money is not a problem, buy a premanufactured unit. Else, it is a rewarding and fun job to build a mip. And it can be done cheap. In my opinion there is two factors that goes to build a sim Money or time. If you have less money, then spend more time to make your own stuff good. If you dont have time, then you can spend

my two nickles..

[usajet93]

Thank You all for all the good advice. As of right now I am going to hold this thought and save more money so I can do this the best way possible without wiping out my bank account. This is going to be a long process. But I promise you this. It will be done.

Thank You Nathan