It will be a while until I can build a new simpit but I did not want my flying components taking over my off desk space. I came up with a roll-out system for my pit. Using the CNC I made a framework for the Warthog to fit into that would pull out when I wanted to use it and roll back under the desk when I was finished. There are several spaces for mounting further instrument/switch panels (when I get some multi-layered plastic). Full extension rollouts with a weight capacity of 100lbs holds the units very well.









The Warthog components swing down to allow the drawers to close.

Simple, functional and it looks to put those controls right where you want them. Excellent!
It looks like there are some small dowels or locking pins about 3-4" in from the end to hold the plates you've mounted the warthog units to, in their upright position when extended. Did you have to do something similar to keep the 'drawers' from sliding or moving as you use the controls?

Thanks for the pics.
Derek

Thanks Derek,
Yes, there are dowels to stop the travel upward and a couple of others to hold the platforms while in that position. They are snug enough to simply slide in and out. There are two rotating shims that fit between the front of the drawers and the desktop that hold them open while in use.

David

OK Propnut...big question here...can you post some drawings for us on the measurements? I have been wanting to add something similar to that with the swing/swivel for my stick and throttle so I can keep them put away out of sight when the kids are down. Plus it would make it so much easier on the wife approval factor if she didn't have to see those in my setup each time she walks in my office...of course questioning if I am really working or not.

I can post the DXF files for the tops and I will add to the file to show the box size and slide mounts. I used 20" full extension drawer slides (100lb rating). I will try to get some pictures up this weekend. I am at work right now and so do not have access to what is on my home PC.

I also plan on adding Maple drawer heads when I get a chance. This will finish them off nicely.

Here you go:

Now that is a really good idea!

Alumni -- where, can't quite read it. Cental Michigan?

Dachs, thanks!

Ripcord, yes; Central Michigan University.

Great Idea!! Might borrow it

The three monitor setup, do you get used at looking at the bars between the screens(best way in my English to ask it...). Recently you see a lot of three monitor setups like yours, so I reckon it does the thrick

Hi J.A.K.

Your English is better then my Dutch, oder mien Deutsch.

I did get used to ignoring the bezels (the bars) pretty quickly, especially as I have removed the plastic cases and built my own three monitor stand/case which greatly reduced the thickness of the bezels.

Nice work PropNut, now you just need to motorise it all, transformer style

An update:

I added the finished drawerheads, switch and button panels, trim panels, and axis panels.

The axis, switches and buttons are controlled via two Leo Bodnar BU0836X controller boards (I can expand to 16 axis and 80 buttons).

I decided on solid maple to match the rest of the woodwork in my office (and I just like the stuff). My CNC cut the panels to size.

The wood is actually cut-offs from solid maple table legs that I made for a customer last week, that was handy.

The Axis knobs and levers are 1/4" plexi cut on my CNC and heat polished along the edges. The plexi is left over from another project hense the black paint on one side. I should have just used some new plexi as I think the black paint is too scuffed but I can remake them anytime.

The Trims are 10k, 10turn Bourne potentiometers while the other axis are 10k bourne panel mount potentiometers (Ebay finds). I will post pictures of the mechinisms if anyone is interested.

The Warthog Graphic must, of course, grace the drawerheads so I used the CNC to encribe each to a depth of 1/16". I would have made the drawerheads wider to hide the drawer slides and drawer mounts but they are tight to my chair as it is. There is no room to spread them out as the countertop supports are mounted on either side.

My Saitek Combat Rudder Pedals should arrive by next week and that will complete my rollout simpit.

Enjoy:















Yes, that is Cliffs of Dover in Eyefinity. But I must run it with low settings to get acceptable framerates so I usually rotate one of the monitors back to landscape and play it on med/high settings.

Sweet! One of the most professional looking setups ever!

That really is pretty effing awesome!

Do you use the arm rests of the chair and they fit just inside the 'drawers'? Or do you rest your arms on the ends with the very nice CNC woodwork? Impressive setup!

Thanks JAK, Gopher and JAMF.

JAMF, I am very tall (6'4") so my arms are not low enough to use either the armrests nor the drawers themselves. This is why the stick is canted forward, to be even with the down-angle of my arm.

My chair does fit between the drawers themselves (tight fit).

Thanks for posting those dimensions there Propnut! Having things available like that really makes life easier for me....now if I just had a CNC to make it work it would be the cats meow.

I could be convinced to make some for you

Here are some picture details on how I built the axis for my roll-out simpit. The pots are Bourns conductive plastic PCB mount so they did not come with nuts nor could I easily locate any locally (9x1.5mm or some such) so I hot-glued them in. I can heat up the aluminum mount and easily remove them if I need to. The pulleys are cut out on the CNC (as are the axis levers) and then grooved on the lathe so the rubber O-rings stay on. The units are 1:1 movement so I get good range of movement. I could have made the pully on the pots smaller to have full range but I am getting 3000 steps of movement so I am pretty happy.

I gang mounted mine like the picture below but I can also use a single bolt (4-40 x 1")to make single axis'.