Starting new pit

[dkff49]

I am getting ready to start a simpit and would like some suggestions as to car seats are more comfortable. We have one of those nice U-Pull It junkyards here that only charges $20 for a seat and it would be most helpful to have some ideas as to where to trying them out.

Thanks to The Fugitive for providing me some pics and basic dimensions on the one he built a while ago I have some idea of what I want and here are some pics of the quick CAD layout that I did. At this point the dimensions are going to be approximately 3ftx6ft and I am planning on using a second keyboard or at the very least sacrificing an old stick that I have laying around that is pretty much shot anyway. This will provide me with some extra buttons and controls around the simpit.







Any how I look forward to your suggestions for my seat and I will post up some updates as things happen.

[Reschke]

You might want to look into one of these combat consoles....http://www.combatconsole.com/combat_console.htm

and these as well.....http://www.amazon.com/MFD-Cougar-Multifunctional-Cockpit-Panel/dp/B002NUD40S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298642980&sr=8-1

I don't have the combat console yet but its would completely eliminate my need for a keyboard in AH.

[Puck]

You might want to look into one of these combat consoles....http://www.combatconsole.com/combat_console.htm

and these as well.....http://www.amazon.com/MFD-Cougar-Multifunctional-Cockpit-Panel/dp/B002NUD40S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298642980&sr=8-1

I don't have the combat console yet but its would completely eliminate my need for a keyboard in AH.

Who thinks a red background is a good idea? 

[The Fugitive]

Mine had a seat from a Chrysler Cordoba. It was 8- way powered too  My thinking was this...

1. car seats are made for a LOT of jumping in and out so they would hold up well.

2. I looked for "luxury" cars because a big comfy seat would be better for those long rides than something from an "eco-tincan" would.

3. I took the front "passenger" seat figuring it would have less wear and tear on it.

I'm a big boy, over 250 and my seat lasted for years with no appreciable wear.

[dkff49]

Mine had a seat from a Chrysler Cordoba. It was 8- way powered too  My thinking was this...

1. car seats are made for a LOT of jumping in and out so they would hold up well.

2. I looked for "luxury" cars because a big comfy seat would be better for those long rides than something from an "eco-tincan" would.

3. I took the front "passenger" seat figuring it would have less wear and tear on it.

I'm a big boy, over 250 and my seat lasted for years with no appreciable wear.

Good points to think about Fugtive.

Again thanks so very much for your help.
 

[The Fugitive]

Good points to think about Fugtive.

Again thanks so very much for your help.
 

No problem. Two more things I though of, not about seats but important none the less.

Do a lot of mock up. I had an old stick I kept out in the work shop as I built mine. It was in and out of that thing a hundred times. Getting things lined up well is as important as a comfy seat. If your stick position is too high by a half an inch you'll be cursing yourself.

Placement of your computer box. Mine was across the front sticking out a bit to one side. Upgrades on the computer where a nightmare as I had to move the whole simpit (seeing the front was against the wall) to get the room to disconnect the wires to pull it out. After a few upgrades I though that I should have made the tower sit on a hinged platform so I could flip it out to expose the side cover that I needed to remove to install parts. That way I could work on it while it was still connected/in the simpit.

If I think of any other mistakes I made I'll post them for you. Keep us posted on your progress, I'm interested to see what you come up with!

Good Luck!

[dkff49]

Yeah I thought about the tower placement after you sent me your pics and decided to put mine next to my leg and make the pit a few inches wider. This way I can get to the CD/DVD drive while sitting inside the pit. However you bring up a good point with accessing it, I think I may add a hinged panel in side of pit to be able to pull it out without lifting over the sides and it will give me some access to side of tower for upgrades without completely removing it.

As I progress I plan to take loads of pics and post them up.

[SIK1]

Don't place the comp to close to yourself. They can produce quite a bit of heat, and noise.

[mechanic]

Hey Dave, I think you should consider fabricating an extended stick that sits between your legs. Not only would it be more authentic for a WWII plane but it would, I believe, allow you much finer control than a short stick.

Just something to consider maybe, good luck.

[Puck]

Hey Dave, I think you should consider fabricating an extended stick that sits between your legs. Not only would it be more authentic for a WWII plane but it would, I believe, allow you much finer control than a short stick.

Just something to consider maybe, good luck.

Putting an extension on it gives you metric boatload of leverage; make sure you're not relying on the stick stops...add something mechanical to help out.  Also consider that most sticks (I'm thinking CH here) don't have a lot of spring tension, so there's not going to be much resistance to moving your extended version.  It also might not want to center.

I guess what I'm saying is (as previously mentioned) mock it all up first 

[mechanic]

all the small planes i've flown didnt have auto centering sticks either 

leverage could be a problem though.

[dkff49]

I have actually been thinking about building my own stick and center mounting it. The only problem is see with doing that is getting past it every time another beer is needed or the occasional relief session after too many beverages (and these become more frequent as i age it seems).

Right now I need to get going on the main set up and to try and get to a point where I can get the thing playable now that my second computer has arrived.

Oh and I did get the seat. 2001 Intrepid. Other than some dirt it is in perfect condition and the price was better than I thought it would be, $10.

[SIK1]

I have actually been thinking about building my own stick and center mounting it. The only problem is see with doing that is getting past it every time another beer is needed or the occasional relief session after too many beverages (and these become more frequent as i age it seems).

Right now I need to get going on the main set up and to try and get to a point where I can get the thing playable now that my second computer has arrived.

Oh and I did get the seat. 2001 Intrepid. Other than some dirt it is in perfect condition and the price was better than I thought it would be, $10.

One of the reasons I built my pit the way I did was because I didn't want to have to climb in and out of it every time I wanted a drink, bathroom break, or answer the door. A pit that looks like a real plane is neat but it can get to be a pain in the arse in the real world.

[The Fugitive]

Maybe something like this.



The base is small enough to get it in a simpit, and with the upper layer it would solve the "stops" problem. The bands should be easy enough to find.

[ebfd11]

Well there is 2 things wrong with that picture, DK and exercise rubber bands, since when has DK exercised??? LOL

On a serious side couldn't you use metal for fabrication so as to cut down on the space required??

LawnDart