HiFor a number of years I have been very s-l-o-w-l-y building a Cessna 172 cockpit using Simkits's fantastic gauges. I decided I wanted a slight change of scenery and started a smaller project to keep myself occupied. I was sick of using the keyboard when I was using FS, so, after seeing Simkits' 32 input controller i designed a small panel of switches to control various cockpit functions. I just thought I would share my progress with my fellow sim-builders. I designed it using Sketch-up and Photoshop and I am quite happy with the results. I just need to build a case for it out of MDF and then I can start wiring all the switches up. http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/169655.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/169658.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/169659.jpgregardsRhydianwww.cessnasim.blogspot.com

Looks very professional, Rhydian.I'd be interested in seeing pictures of the finished project. I'm also curious about your experience using the Simkits input board.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.comwww.mikesflightdeckbooks.com

Hi MikeThanks for your comment. I haven't had a chance to test out the board yet. However, Simkits have done a great job producing it. It looks very well thought out. I will hopefully have the case built by Tuesday so I will upload some more pictures once the panel and circuit board is in place. http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/169663.jpgOne of the frustrating things I find with this hobby (even though I absolutely love it), is having to rely on third party sources for things like engraving and painting. I cut the panel and drilled the holes in it myself but I still had to find someone to do the other things for me. I would like to start being able to cut, paint and engrave myself to a more professional standard. Otherwise projects can take a long time or they end up quite costly. I had a quote the other day to powder coat this panel and I was shocked at the price to paint it. I think moving away from aluminium sheet and to plastics like acrylic or Lexan is probably the way to go. I have seen the panels that Rob van der Wiele makes and I think that is possibly a better and less costly route to go down. CheersRhydianwww.cessnasim.blogspot.com

Ther is no feeling better then making something yourself! Great JOB!

Here's a coupla pics from my pit using the Simkits Analogue Controller card:http://www.simkits.com/product.php?prodid=607It has worked flawlessly for about eight months. I like Rhydian's panel. Mine is made from a "cheapo" joystick that I ripped apart, and is not anywhere near the obvios quality of his. He should start producing them!http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o83/pj_.../Picture003.jpghttp://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o83/pj_.../Picture005.jpgRegards,

Those flight controls look great Paul. I thought about buying that controller that you have, I even ripped apart my old CH gameport yoke to see what i could do with it, because my motherboard doesnt support that input any more. (I have CH gameport rudder pedals as well) Unfortunately the yoke is now just sitting in bits in a cardboard box at the moment!!! I must admit I was never fully happy with the quality of the yoke. I wanted something a little more robust. However, I now use a cheap joystick to control my aircraft in FS. Hardly realistic. I guess I better finish this project before I start another one. I have a habit of doing that! CheersRhydian

I've had good results painting aluminum using inexpensive spray paint in a can. I prep the aluminum by sanding with fine sandpaper then give it several light coats. For lettering I've used dry transfer, press on lettering. I protect the lettering with two or three very thin coats of clean enamel. This last step is a little touchy as the solvents in the enamel attack the lettering. Too thick a coat and the lettering wrinkles.More recently I ran across a DIY decal approach from Bel Decal. It's a transfer film that you can print on using an inkjet printer. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like a possible approach for making high quality panel legends.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.comwww.mikesflightdeckbooks.com