Hotas desk mount DIY

[TrueGrey 63]

Hello,

 

For some time I have been looking for a desk mount and I think that none of the well known options satisfy me, be it

 

• Foxx Mounts - quite expensive, $175 + shipping to Europe.
• Monstertech - ridiculously expensive,  €212 + €48 if you want it black (that seriously killed me) + shipping (~€30).
• Virpil - price is fine but constantly out of stock, takes way more space than the previous two.

 

So decided to build my own basing on Monstertech/Foxx Mounts design, and here comes my request, could any of you owning the non extended Monstertech mount, measure the width and height of used aluminium extrusions (both vertical and horizontal) and groove's width and the diameter of used nuts, length and diameter of plate screw and plate thickness, if you have warthog stick would be nice to get plate's length.

 

I am attaching picture with mentioned dimensions in red, to make it easier.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

1. 280 mm
2. 80 mm
3. Slot 8
4. M5
5. M8?
6. 70 mm and 120 mm for versions with extension
7. 4 mm ?
8. 230 mm stick, 290 mm throttle
9. M8?

Edited August 1, 2019 by TrueGrey

[TrueGrey 63]

Actually the most important dimension for me is the size of the slot/groove used in the extrusions.

[Sokol1 2084]

An "how to" with parts list:

 

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/t-slot-hotas-mounts.350789/

 

Monstertech seems made in 4084 profile.

 

https://8020.net/40-4084-lite-black.html

 

 

Edited July 21, 2019 by Sokol1

[TrueGrey 63]

@Sokol1

 

Thanks for the hints, I've seen that ED thread but the guy there isn't quite right, as the horizontal extrusion is either 7cm or 12cm (information from Monstertech's website), also he is guessing the screws and nuts, which can be seen in the last post.

 

Profiles can be really similar, also she slot size can be different between same profiles, I haven't seen this particular video though, so I will give it a shot, as it might contain some valuable information. 

Currently with the power of math I calculated that the slot is 8.09mm, so probably it is slot 8, that would mean i just need to mounting plates dimensions and screws/nuts used.

 

Since I am not in a hurry as I will not have my stick for some time, I am trying to gather exact information to copy the design as closely as I can, to check the price difference : )

Edited July 21, 2019 by TrueGrey

[jaygee485 72]

On 7/20/2019 at 12:15 AM, TrueGrey said:

if you have warthog stick would be nice to get plate's length.

 

 If you're mounting the stick, It's best to remove the base plate, which is designed to be large and heavy to provide a stable base for use on a desk.

When removed from it's base plate, the stick base is circular, roughly 110 mm diameter. (An exact fit for the end-cap of 100 mm PVC pipe, as I used)

The 4 mounting screw holes are arranged in a square, 60 mm apart.

Diagonally, the distance between the holes is 85 mm.

Edit: To answer your question though, base plate is 270 mm x 230 mm, with mounting holes 255 mm & 190 mm apart

Edited July 22, 2019 by jaygee485

[TrueGrey 63]

@jaygee485

 

Thanks for the post, however I meant the base plates for Warthog hotas from Monstertech, like these www.monstertech.de, which I believe have different dimensions (length, thickness, screws). 

[jaygee485 72]

Ok , I misunderstood.

If you can't get those monstertech base plate measurements though, to fabricate your own mount you really just need the dimensions of the stick base and screw holes.

You can use the supplied WH screws for attachment.

I omitted to mention that the WH base plate is 3 mm thick.

Sounds like a good project. We hope to see pics of the completed article...  

[TrueGrey 63]

@jaygee485

 

I was more talking about the screws to attach the plate to the mount, as the ones used by Monstertech seem to be kinda universal as they are using one type for all throttles/sticks plates, probably they are using the biggest you can fit into 8 type slot, this is what I will eventually do if I will not find official size.

The plate has small contact area with the mount so I believe it can't be too thin, from what I have managed to gather they are using 4 mm thick base plates and if I will not get better information I will also use 4mm.

 

Sure I will post pictures with total cost and comparison to buying it off the original producer. I am already trying to find best supplier for the extrusions, who can also tap/cut them, as I don't have the means to do it myself.

[SevenFifty 7]

Don't try to copy Monstertech nut to nut, they are really well engineered and you will struggle to do the same with hand tools.

Just eye ball it and adjust to your desk or sim pit, this is mine:

 

 

Cost me less then £40 and few hours of my time, although I already had some screws and metal plates. The clamps Monstertech are using alone are about £30 each, mine are £10 for 2. And their mounting screws perfectly fit the  slots in 6020 profile I have used.

 

Edited July 23, 2019 by SevenFifty

[Raptorattacker 2427]

52 minutes ago, SevenFifty said:

Just eye ball it and adjust to your desk or sim pit, this is mine:

Fair play to ya! The art of bodging, a fine and noble art that is much - maligned and looked down upon!! I'm a fan of it meself also and it's caved me a fortune over the years.

Rap's Throttle, under the desk, next to the printer, held on by zipties. Not 'pretty' but who's looking and, more importantly, who cares?!!

Edited July 23, 2019 by Raptorattacker

[SevenFifty 7]

Haha, mine throttle is fixed using zip ties as well (not visible on the picture). The plate was cut to accommodate X-55 throttle but recently I have rebuilt TQS, still work in progress so it's not permanently fixed yet. 

[TrueGrey 63]

3 hours ago, SevenFifty said:

Don't try to copy Monstertech nut to nut, they are really well engineered and you will struggle to do the same with hand tools.

 

Well the design is nice but it's really simple, there are only two/three things requiring more than hand tools and that is tapping, cutting the extrusions, drilling the holes for universal connector, that's it, once you have it you can do everything on your own (except nice looking base plates ; ) ).

 

I am trying to keep it as close as I can to the original design, as I am using Warthog hotas which weights a bit, I am trying to avoid future damage, also I am curious about the price difference, if it will not be significant I will simplify the mount.

 

@Raptorattacker

 

Guess my wife cares,  I am glad she's not complaining about all the peripherals I have on my desk already, as everything is open for visitors eyes and making good looking "workplace" is fair easier/faster and entertaining than refurbishment

[TrueGrey 63]

Little update.

 

I could copy Monstertech's solution more or less with my current aluminium extrusion supplier (I would have to change universal connectors for angle connectors and that's it I guess) and that would cost me (shipping/tax included):

 

• 2 clamps (same as Monstertech) - 46.49€
• 4 aluminium plates - 8.24€
• Aluminium extrusions + accessories - 63.88€

Which in total gives us 118.61€ for a pair, so less than a half I would need to pay when buying from Monstertech (241.57€).

 

But since I am waiting for the second extrusion supplier's offer I decided I might pay little bit more (5.54€) to my plate supplier and he will provide me with additional steel plates (5mm thick), which I could use to build less adjustable but much cheaper mount, I would use bessey clamps (46.49€) + hotas aluminium base plates, which in case of hardware chance could be replaced (6.57€) + steel plate mount (5.54€) + 12 screws (2.5€), which would give us total of 61.1€, which is two times cheaper than my extrusion build and four times cheaper than original Monstertech solution.

 

So since I need the clamps and plates in both solutions I will order them now and check the steel mount if it will work and look ok, I will stick to it saving lots of money, if not I will proceed with the extrusion build, which still is way cheaper than buying it from the shop. 

 

 

[TrueGrey 63]

Update.

 

I am kinda struggling with plate cutting, as every company I ask requires drawings in .dwg/.dxf format, since I am not cad user and never have been, I need to ask around for it (maybe there is someone here who could help?), if will not find anyone who could make those for me I will need to cut those myself (with basic tools, thus worse effect) but guess that will be much faster than learning the software.

 

[TrueGrey 63]

@Sokol1 @jaygee485 @SevenFifty @Raptorattacker

 

Ok, took me longer than I thought but finally have finished it! Thank you guys for the support : )

I had some major problems with extrusions, I had to wait for four separate shipments as every time I received one there were some problems with it...

 

At some point it appeared that I will need additional clamp spacer so I used piece of beech wood (additional 2x10€ saved). Here are the photos:

 

 

Edited September 3, 2019 by TrueGrey

[jaygee485 72]

8 hours ago, TrueGrey said:

finally have finished it!

 

Very impressive creation, looks fantastic.

Well worth the effort.

[TrueGrey 63]

6 hours ago, jaygee485 said:

 

Very impressive creation, looks fantastic.

Well worth the effort.

 

Thanks, I am also very happy with the results, plus I saved almost 50% (141.92€ to be precise) comparing to the original price.

[CeeToo 0]

Hi @TrueGrey,

I searched a solution to create some DIY mounts for my Thrustmaster setup for Star Citizen and found your amazing work.
Can you maybe share with me the supplier you used or a summarized list of your used pieces.
In germany it seems a bit more difficult to find a good online store.

BG

[TrueGrey 63]

@CeeToo

 

Hi, you shouldn't have many problems to get everything in Germany, as most of the stuff I bought from the German company  , here is my "standard" answer to this question:

 

 

Quote

 

I'll try to help but I'm not sure if it will be of much use.

1. I ordered the aluminium plates (top ones and the ones underneath hotas) from a local company that works with metal, just sent them the drawings of what I want (you can easily google the design, they also should be available at Thrustmasters website).
2. Clamps I have found on local eBay like website.  The model of the clamp is Bessey STC-IHH 25 mm.
3. The rest (aluminium extrusions 4080, universal connectors, extrusion covers, grooves (V8 M5 and 8 M8), screws (cylindrical M5x12 and M5x22 and countersunk M8x14)) pretty much I bought from German company item24, they offer their products around the globe, so there is probability you will be able to use them as well.

 

1.  

Edited November 2, 2020 by TrueGrey

[Yardstick 142]

Timely bump. 

 

I have a recently extended my MTech joystick centre mount and switched to a WarBRD, so have a vertical section, mounting plate and horizontal mounting section spare.  If I can fix the play in the bearings on the Cougar U2:NXT, I will source the necessary hardware to have another mount (top plate, clamp and some fittings).  I then have the option to use the Cougar side mounted for space sims or jets if I ever get the inclination to try DCS seriously.   

[CeeToo 0]

@TrueGrey Thank you very much for your fast answer. I guess I then know have another weekend project hehe

[TrueGrey 63]

@CeeTooYou are welcome, wish you good luck and have fun : )

Edited November 4, 2020 by TrueGrey

[Dagwoodyt 106]

These metal mounts all look very impressive. When I got my Gunfighter Pro with extension I considered them but realized that I could fabricate a mount from wood that would sit on the floor at my desk and be positioned and moved as needed.

[TrueGrey 63]

@Dagwoodyt

 

I was considering similar solution but it would be harder to "hide" such a mount, when it's not needed (unfortunately I don't have a designated place just for flying )

[SharpeXB 1067]

Nice DIY work 👍

but WOW does stuff in Europe cost so much more than in the US!

A monstertech stick mount here costs $99 which would be 83.37 Euros

You're paying 250% of what we would pay here. So I personally would not see the product as “overpriced” rather you’re overtaxed 😬

Hey it all works out in the end, I’m sure you get free University or whatever. 

 

[TrueGrey 63]

Thanks : ) 

 

Well I've never been into US tax system but probably you are right, and yeah with higher taxes there are some benefits like mentioned free universities or health care, just to mention the most obvious  

 

But if you compare the Monstertech mount to other stuff you could get here for 250€ (~ price for both mounts without shipping) it seems pricy. 

[SharpeXB 1067]

57 minutes ago, TrueGrey said:

Thanks : ) 

 

Well I've never been into US tax system but probably you are right, and yeah with higher taxes there are some benefits like mentioned free universities or health care, just to mention the most obvious  

 

But if you compare the Monstertech mount to other stuff you could get here for 250€ (~ price for both mounts without shipping) it seems pricy. 

Is it 212 € for both the stick and throttle mount? That seems more reasonable although still more than US$

[TrueGrey 63]

1 hour ago, SharpeXB said:

Is it 212 € for both the stick and throttle mount? That seems more reasonable although still more than US$

 

It is 126.44€ (VAT included) per black mount, so stick and throttle combined sums up to 252.88€, without shipment of course. It is worth noting that the color makes quite a difference in price, as silver mount costs 103.24€ (VAT included).

[SharpeXB 1067]

21 minutes ago, TrueGrey said:

 

It is 126.44€ (VAT included) per black mount, so stick and throttle combined sums up to 252.88€, without shipment of course. It is worth noting that the color makes quite a difference in price, as silver mount costs 103.24€ (VAT included).

Ok that’s not so different after all. I have a set of the Monstertech mounts. You did a really nice job on the DIY 😉