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Gimbal Project: Difference between revisions
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<br/>Jentron's design is perfectly usable in it's configuration, but I needed | <br/>Jentron's design is perfectly usable in it's configuration, but I needed | ||
to modify it for use with the DIY Cockpit Project.<br>Besides, I'm a geek and | to modify it for use with the DIY Cockpit Project.<br>Besides, I'm a geek and | ||
no self respecting geek can resist fiddling with things. :)</ | no self respecting geek can resist fiddling with things. :)<br/> | ||
Below is instructions on how you can construct this gimbal for use in your | |||
cockpit!<br/> | cockpit!<br/> | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
<hr> | <hr> | ||
Here | Here's information on how my version of the Jentron Gimbal Mk II was built | ||
and how you can build your own. | and how you can build your own. | ||
<br/>One important thing to note - the gimbal is designed to be mounted underneath | <br/>One important thing to note - the gimbal is designed to be mounted underneath | ||
the cockpit floor. This is what it looks like from above, in the | the cockpit floor. This is what it looks like from above, in the | ||
"operating" position:</ | "operating" position: | ||
<br/> | |||
[[file:jentron_mk2-3.jpg]] | [[file:jentron_mk2-3.jpg]] | ||
<br/><br/> | <br/><br/> | ||
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This article will only cover the ins and outs of the gimbal itself. The | This article will only cover the ins and outs of the gimbal itself. The | ||
reason for this is that your application may be a bit different and you'll need | reason for this is that your application may be a bit different and you'll need | ||
to adjust other parts of the design to fit your situation.</ | to adjust other parts of the design to fit your situation.<br/> | ||
<br/>Two "fancy" tools are going to be required to build this project. | <br/>Two "fancy" tools are going to be required to build this project.<br/> | ||
* 1 Step Drill. This is used to enlarge the end holes in the single-gang extender box. | * 1 Step Drill. This is used to enlarge the end holes in the single-gang extender box. | ||
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<br/>A cheap 1" Step Drill can be had for less than $30. In case you're not | <br/>A cheap 1" Step Drill can be had for less than $30. In case you're not | ||
sure, a step drill looks like this: | sure, a step drill looks like this: | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
[[file:step_drill.jpg]]</ | [[file:step_drill.jpg]]<br/> | ||
<br/>Here's a list of some other common tools you're going to need:</ | <br/>Here's a list of some other common tools you're going to need:<br/> | ||
* Hacksaw -or- a pipe cutter. Pipe cutters work better for cutting EMT. | * Hacksaw -or- a pipe cutter. Pipe cutters work better for cutting EMT. | ||
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* Vice or vice-like device | * Vice or vice-like device | ||
<br/>Materials needed to build the gimbal box:</ | <br/>Materials needed to build the gimbal box:<br/> | ||
* 1 each single-gang electrical extension box | * 1 each single-gang electrical extension box | ||
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in the electrical box and then drill out the ends using the 1" Step Drill. | in the electrical box and then drill out the ends using the 1" Step Drill. | ||
The hole needs to be large enough to accept the threaded portion of the 3/4" EMT | The hole needs to be large enough to accept the threaded portion of the 3/4" EMT | ||
connector. When you're done, the box should look like this:</ | connector. When you're done, the box should look like this:<br/> | ||
<br/><br/> | <br/><br/> | ||
[[file:prepped_box.jpg]] | [[file:prepped_box.jpg]] | ||
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Next up, you're going to have to use your vice grips (2 pair if you have | Next up, you're going to have to use your vice grips (2 pair if you have | ||
them!) to position the 3" "T" bracket on the side of the extension box. | them!) to position the 3" "T" bracket on the side of the extension box. | ||
The best way to do this is to measure 1-1/2" in from the end of the "top" of the | The best way to do this is to measure 1-1/2" in from the end of the "top" of the | ||
T brace and draw a centering line. Measure the electrical box along its | T brace and draw a centering line. Measure the electrical box along its | ||
long axis and mark the center of it. The centering lines ensure that | long axis and mark the center of it. The centering lines ensure that | ||
you'll correctly position the "T" bracket on the side of the box.</ | you'll correctly position the "T" bracket on the side of the box.<br/> | ||
< | <br/>Position the box and T-Bracket like this:<br/> | ||
< | <br/> | ||
<img alt="Illustration showing the correct placement of the T-Bracket" src="t-bracket_position.jpg" width="400" height="307" /></ | <img alt="Illustration showing the correct placement of the T-Bracket" src="t-bracket_position.jpg" width="400" height="307" /><br/> | ||
<p>With the vice grip(s) holding the t-bracket in place, put the box in a vice | <p>With the vice grip(s) holding the t-bracket in place, put the box in a vice | ||
to hold it down. You're going to use a 1/4" drill bit to drill holes in | to hold it down. You're going to use a 1/4" drill bit to drill holes in | ||
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with one another. The portion of the bracket that sticks out will be the | with one another. The portion of the bracket that sticks out will be the | ||
support for the stick stub. It's got to be as close perfect as you can | support for the stick stub. It's got to be as close perfect as you can | ||
make it. In the end, you should have something that looks like this:</ | make it. In the end, you should have something that looks like this:<br/> | ||
< | <br/> | ||
<img alt="Illustration showing both "T" brackets in place" src="both_brackets_mounted.jpg" width="400" height="307" /></ | <img alt="Illustration showing both "T" brackets in place" src="both_brackets_mounted.jpg" width="400" height="307" /><br/> | ||
< | <br/>You'll notice in my drawing that I'm using screws to hold the brackets in. | ||
This was done because I didn't want to take the time to draw a reasonable | This was done because I didn't want to take the time to draw a reasonable | ||
looking pop rivet. :)</ | looking pop rivet. :)<br/> | ||
< | <br/>The last step is to mount the 3/4" EMT fittings. These hold 3" sections | ||
of 3/4" EMT conduit that act as the pitch bearings for the box. It's | of 3/4" EMT conduit that act as the pitch bearings for the box. It's | ||
important to get these as tight as you can. They'll take all the force of | important to get these as tight as you can. They'll take all the force of | ||
the stick moving fore and aft. I recommend using a pair of Channel-Lock | the stick moving fore and aft. I recommend using a pair of Channel-Lock | ||
pliers and a vice to make sure those fittings are as tight as you can make them. | pliers and a vice to make sure those fittings are as tight as you can make them. | ||
<br/> | |||
If you're paranoid and have a welder, it couldn't hurt it to weld them in place. | If you're paranoid and have a welder, it couldn't hurt it to weld them in place. | ||
With it all assembled, it should look like this:</ | With it all assembled, it should look like this:<br/> | ||
< | <br/> | ||
<img alt="Completed gimbal box" src="complete_gimbal_box.jpg" width="400" height="307" /></p> | <img alt="Completed gimbal box" src="complete_gimbal_box.jpg" width="400" height="307" /></p> | ||
<p>I didn't include the nuts that go to the EMT connectors on purpose. | <p>I didn't include the nuts that go to the EMT connectors on purpose. | ||
They MUST be used. :)</ | They MUST be used. :)<br/> | ||
< | <br/>Here's an exploded diagram that shows you how it all goes together:<br/> | ||
< | <br/> | ||
<img alt="Exploded illustration of the gimbal box" src="gimbal_box_exploded.jpg" width="400" height="307" /></ | <img alt="Exploded illustration of the gimbal box" src="gimbal_box_exploded.jpg" width="400" height="307" /><br/> | ||
< | <br/>The last part of this assembly is the stick stub. The stick stub is | ||
made from a 7" long piece of 3/4" EMT that has had two holes and a notch cut in | made from a 7" long piece of 3/4" EMT that has had two holes and a notch cut in | ||
the bottom.</ | the bottom.<br/> | ||
< | <br/>A PDF file of the part drawing is available | ||
<a target="_blank" href="stick_stub.pdf">here</a>. The completed stick | <a target="_blank" href="stick_stub.pdf">here</a>. The completed stick | ||
stub should look like this:</ | stub should look like this:<br/> | ||
< | <br/> | ||
<img alt="Completed stick stub" src="stick_stub.png" width="640" height="491" /></ | <img alt="Completed stick stub" src="stick_stub.png" width="640" height="491" /><br/> | ||
<p>The stick stub is just that - a stub. Your flight grip and lower stick | <p>The stick stub is just that - a stub. Your flight grip and lower stick | ||