Picture of Flightstick Gimbal mechanism

[chshrkt]

Howdy all,
I am in the process of gathering parts to build my simpit and I want to have a floor mounted stick rather than a regular joystick mounted at lap height.

To that end, I have been looking at the Gimbal mechanism - Flightstick Pro USB (http://www.chproducts.com/shop/parts.html) to be the starting point, but the thumbnail is just that, too small for any real details.

Does anyone perhaps have any closeups from different angles so I can see what the whole contraption looks like before I drop the US $20?

I know that is not a lot of money, but I just like to avoid spending money on possibly worthless parts...

Free worthless parts however, I have a garage FULL of those! :rofl:

CHeers

[snomhf]

My advice would be to find a gameport version of the FighterStick, CombatStick, or FlightStick on E-bay. If you are a skilled bidder, you can grab one for $15 or less. You will get the gimbal assembly as well as bunches of buttons, pots, etc. IMO, that is the way to get spare parts.

Be careful, if you get too old a stick (eg. F-15 stick), the "post" that fits into the base of the stick is 1/16" smaller than the newer ones. Except for that, most of the parts are identical.

I can show you a closeup photo of the actual gimbal assembly later. I'll pull one out and photo it for you.

Good luck.
-mark

You've probably seen these already.

Here are some pictures that show the gimbal assembly on an FX stick (which uses the identical assembly as the FighterStick).

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/FrankenForce/wiring/YpotHookup.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/FrankenForce/wiring/motorPigTailPlacement.jpg

[chshrkt]

Be careful, if you get too old a stick (eg. F-15 stick), the "post" that fits into the base of the stick is 1/16" smaller than the newer ones.

Thanks for the photos Mark.

I kind of wanted to find a new gimbal assembly, for various reasons, rather than having to tear apart an old one. I will be using the grip from an existing TM F16 FLCS, but am chosing not to use the gimbal, since I can see stress fractures in the plastic (using a magnifying glass).

I will be using an underslung counterwieght system for RTZ rather than springs, so I wanted to start with either a custom manufactured gimbal (many $$$), or the one I see on the CH parts page, if it is appropriate for my construction plans.

[snomhf]

Ok, here are a couple more pictures of the CH gimbal assembly.

Trust me, finding sticks on ebay is by far the cheapest way to get these parts. I just bought a gameport FlightStick for $8.46 including shipping and it looks like it has never been used. For that, I got three pots, an 8-way hat, 4 switches, and the gimbal assembly plus the handle.

But, you can certainly pay $20 for just a gimbal stem if you so choose.


http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/gimbalStem.jpg

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n199/snomhf/gimbalmount.jpg

[chshrkt]

Ok, here are a couple more pictures of the CH gimbal assembly.

Trust me, finding sticks on ebay is by far the cheapest way to get these parts. I just bought a gameport FlightStick for $8.46 including shipping and it looks like it has never been used. For that, I got three pots, an 8-way hat, 4 switches, and the gimbal assembly plus the handle.

But, you can certainly pay $20 for just a gimbal stem if you so choose.

Thanks for the additional pictures!

I can see what I believe will be a problem.

The bottom side of the gimbal, which is the extension of the shaft for the stick, is blocked by that arc of plastic. I need the stick shaft to go all the way through the gimbal so I can hang weights off the bottom end to provide a centering action.

To your note about ebay, I have also been watching ebay off and on for the last 6 months, but all the old sticks I have seen have had shipping charges that would raise the final price to around $30, not worth the price of admission to me. I am going on the cheap here, remember... ;)


http://JoeJohnson.smugmug.com/photos/247454761-S.jpg (http://joejohnson.smugmug.com/photos/247454761-XL.jpg)

I just opened up another one of my TM FLCS and looked at that gimbal (above), and it appears to be fine with no cracks in the plastic. I guess I will use the gimbal from this TM stick.

http://JoeJohnson.smugmug.com/photos/247453347-S.jpg (http://joejohnson.smugmug.com/photos/247453347-XL.jpg)

Now I just need to put together a plan for removing the pc board and organizing/routing this spaghetti of wires through the handle shaft... :huh:

[jayhigh]

i built my gimbal using skateboard bearings, electrical fittings and other stuff i was able to incoporate from supplies at home depot

http://www.ch-hangar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5345

[chshrkt]

That is awsome!
Your implementation of conduit and pipe for the stick is what I myself have been drafting out after several planning trips to Home Depot.

Do you perhaps have any close-ups of the gimbal itself?
And dare I ask... drafted plans?

[WildWillie]

Yes Nice start to a custom pit. I am also starting down such a path. I build a trim box that sits outboard of my pro throttle, but still need the center floor mounted stick.

What did you use for Pots (?) I've been looking for a good 90degree(1/4 turn) pot to use but haven't come up with anything except the Hall pots that they use as an upgrade to the Cougar HOTAS(Which I think are quite expensive).

WildWillie