I'm in the final stages of design of my 737 throttle quadrant. The aim is to produce a detailed reproduction which is fully functional, including full auto-throttles, automated speedbrake and trim wheels.In case you're interested, I've attached some pics of the actual throttle lever with reverser (handles not included!).Hope to start machining in early January (thanks to a friend with a multi-axis mill). This is still expensive, so would be interested to know if anyone wants to 'share' this journey! The overall cost will probably be similar to commercial products, but most of the fun is making it myself!Can't wait till I get to the electrics...CheersJohn

Looks nice, John.How will you handle the auto throttle mechanics?Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Hi Mike,I've not decided 100% as yet, but will probably 'borrow' bizzybee's??? plastic washer solution. I'm not 100% happy with this as I believe it will become looser & looser with time until there's not enough friction to make autothrottle work, and I don't want to have to keep adjusting it!I'm still considering a couple of other options, including gears which only engage when autothrottle is armed, (by physically moving them together), or using 2 opposed motors per throttle, each of which can 'slip' in one direction. This would be the best option for longterm use, but makes the design more complicated.As I said, the design / build is most of the fun, so complicated is fine by me! Do you know of any other solutions? Quality of result is more important to me than ease...CheersJohn

Hi John,I was curious about your solution. As yet I have only unfinished thoughts (i.e. vaporware). Here are a few ideas.Use a magnetic clutch to couple a motor to a worm drive on the throttle. I had a couple of surplus clutches years ago. Can't find them now. Or,Leave the motor mechanically connected to the throttle. Sense the force on the throttle lever. In manual mode the force activates the throttle's motor to move the throttle position. In auto throttle mode, the motor moves under computer control.?? Just a couple of half-thought out ideas that may give you something workable to pursue.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com