Yet another buttonbox build

[A_radek]

Nothing really new here. Another dyi buttonbox based on leo bodnars controller. But as I've been documenting progress on this project in our squad discord I thought I'd share here also. Some parts of the build might inspire someone.

Flying with a CH fighterstick for nearly 20 years now, an upgrade was deserved. My mancave/home office is compact. And for any flying to get flown at every opportunity between work and kids, I don't want to spend time mounting or stowing away chunky throttles or table mounted sticks. So, a traditional desktop all in one joystick/throttle that easily puts away to a corner of the table was my idea of a minimalist setup. An all in one compact unit much like entry level sticks. But didn't want the entry level, I wanted a vkb gunfighter. Ordered that and made a piggyback throttle for it. Here's how:

Bought a plastic enclosure from Hammond. It's a glorified plastic box. You could use any soapbox, shoebox, whatever. And started drawing lines in photoshop while googling buttons/switches. Once happy with a layout (this took some thinking) I printed that out on self adhesive printer paper. Yes to my own surprise such a thing exists.

 

 

Now this first print serves as a drilling guide. The paper is as adhesive as masking tape so not very. But, several hours of dremeling cussing and plastic dust everywhere later I could start test mounting the switches.



-The buttons are GQ12B:s. Metal collar and great feel, highly recommend. 
-The momentary two way switches are knitters. A little stiff for my liking but perhaps they'l wear in.
-45mm slide pots for throttle and pitch are Mouser, great feel and rather cheap.
-And on the side I'm using 5x p261p potentiometers sold by Leo bodnar. also highly recommended.

 

Next step was electronics. Time consuming but find it rather therapeutic sniffing those fumes in the evenings.



You can spot the Leo bodnar controller card, sandwiched with his matrix card. A hat switch also from leos and a small voltage stepdown
to go from 5v usb to 2.5v for the slider leds. 

Next step was to print out a nice top sticker, and for durability I sandwiched it with some transparent and self adhesive car protection film.
Now connected and working, You can see the sliders glow ? I love things that glow. Unless its a pc. pc's that glow are for kids. Much like jets.



All done now. And to share my view from the home office /aka cockpit:
 

Well, it spartan, but that was the point and I'm a VR only guy. More Importantly as easy to stow away or setup as it gets. Without using entry level mechanics or components.

Hope you enjoyed.

Edited March 24, 2022 by SvAF/F16_radek

[FTC_horsky]

Great work as always @SvAF/F16_radek Superbly done!

 

[J2_Seya]

Wow that is incredible. Amazing box. I hope to one day build myself one.

[Vig]

Beautiful!  Hmm, I'm still using a CH Fighterstick too....

[A_radek]

3 minutes ago, Vig said:

Beautiful!  Hmm, I'm still using a CH Fighterstick too....

And while the CH still is perfectly adequate for competitive mp flying. I bought the gunfighter more to treat myself rather than thinking it would do much for my flying. To my surprise the difference is staggering. In comparison precision and connection to game input feels almost neural. 
 

Not as linear in stick resistance though, even with weakest springs and linear (space) cams. So will likely take a few sessions getting used too.

[kissTheSky]

Very nice work! And if I may say so excellent soldering skills! My solder joints as big as the base of the potentiometers usually ?

[Zappatime]

Lovely build and design ?