Just for fun, and for my own amusement I guess, I decided I'd turn this into a project blog. I also figured this would be better than to keep using the ChatBox to share my progress.
Some have already seen my recent comments and links posted in the ChatBox earlier this week, but for the rest, a little background:
I was poking around the DIY Flightsims/Rodger Dodger Aviation site last Saturday, and after about an hour, I decided I'd like to try my hand at building one of their projects. So I purchased the Floor Unit w/Center Joystick. I chose this project because it appeared it would allow me to have a mount for my X52 Flight Controls, as well as be able to attach my Saitek yoke and throttle to the desk, without having everything in the way of each other. Now, understand, I have very little previous experience with 'handyman' projects, aside from assembling pre-cut, pre-fabricated furniture that you may buy at your local department stores. So, I was a bit hesitant to make this purchase, and even more hesitant to get started. I decided I'd devote an hour each evening to this project, and any additional spare time as I was able. I figured if I paced myself in this manner, I would have less chance of becoming overwhelmed by any problems or complexity I might encounter.
Earlier this week, I went to my local Home Depot and began gathering the necessary parts and tools for the project. I came home on my lunch break on Wednesday and began cutting the first few pieces of PVC. I then decided I'd cut the rest on Wednesday evening while I was waiting on loads of laundry to finish, before I went to my girlfriend's for the evening. The remainder of the cutting didn't take long, so I figured I'd get started on the dry fit, at least the first few pieces. It went so quickly that I decided I'd go ahead and do the entire dry fit then and there. I was very pleased with the result.
I've since disassembled most of the pieces in prep for gluing. I'm still trying to locate the DIY Flightsims-recommended 'Liquid Nails for Projects' locally, but I may have to order it online. Neither Home Depot or Walmart carry it, only the heavy-duty quick-drying kind.
I still have the boards and velcro to acquire yet, as well as the primer for painting, but once I have the remaining supplies, I expect the rest to go rather quickly. I'll post more pics of the more-complete stages of construction here as they happen. I've also already identified another project on the Rodger Dodger site that I want to build after this one, so I'm anxious to get this one wrapped up and get started on that one.
Here is a pic of the dry fit. I'm very pleased with the size and fitting of this build so far. It's exactly what I was looking for:
Some have already seen my recent comments and links posted in the ChatBox earlier this week, but for the rest, a little background:
I was poking around the DIY Flightsims/Rodger Dodger Aviation site last Saturday, and after about an hour, I decided I'd like to try my hand at building one of their projects. So I purchased the Floor Unit w/Center Joystick. I chose this project because it appeared it would allow me to have a mount for my X52 Flight Controls, as well as be able to attach my Saitek yoke and throttle to the desk, without having everything in the way of each other. Now, understand, I have very little previous experience with 'handyman' projects, aside from assembling pre-cut, pre-fabricated furniture that you may buy at your local department stores. So, I was a bit hesitant to make this purchase, and even more hesitant to get started. I decided I'd devote an hour each evening to this project, and any additional spare time as I was able. I figured if I paced myself in this manner, I would have less chance of becoming overwhelmed by any problems or complexity I might encounter.
Earlier this week, I went to my local Home Depot and began gathering the necessary parts and tools for the project. I came home on my lunch break on Wednesday and began cutting the first few pieces of PVC. I then decided I'd cut the rest on Wednesday evening while I was waiting on loads of laundry to finish, before I went to my girlfriend's for the evening. The remainder of the cutting didn't take long, so I figured I'd get started on the dry fit, at least the first few pieces. It went so quickly that I decided I'd go ahead and do the entire dry fit then and there. I was very pleased with the result.
I've since disassembled most of the pieces in prep for gluing. I'm still trying to locate the DIY Flightsims-recommended 'Liquid Nails for Projects' locally, but I may have to order it online. Neither Home Depot or Walmart carry it, only the heavy-duty quick-drying kind.
I still have the boards and velcro to acquire yet, as well as the primer for painting, but once I have the remaining supplies, I expect the rest to go rather quickly. I'll post more pics of the more-complete stages of construction here as they happen. I've also already identified another project on the Rodger Dodger site that I want to build after this one, so I'm anxious to get this one wrapped up and get started on that one.
Here is a pic of the dry fit. I'm very pleased with the size and fitting of this build so far. It's exactly what I was looking for:
