First simpit Part 9- tray, vent, shell frame

[beaky]

Sort of forging ahead now... Still have to mount the keyboard drawer in the nose box, but I did finally fab a decent tray for all the interfaces, etc... and I love this aluminum vent I found at my local hardware store. I've got another one that will go on the rear wall of the shell.
Not sure exactly why I painted the nose box so soon... obviously, it will need a few more coats. And maybe some clearcoat so it matches the raw aluminum skin better.





Finally started cutting up the aluminum... the right side of the shell is coming along. The plastic sheet will get trapped between the frame and the skin. The gussets on the outside will be covered by the skin, that's why they look pretty bad.

Not sure yet what will happen at the bottom here... I want to see how much aluminum I have left after I fab the important stuff, like the door on the other side. My sheet aluminum will come up a few inches short on the bottom, so I may make a wood kick-plate and paint that silver.




A view from inside... the frame and the inside of the skin will be painted a light green (like zinc chromate primer); I may create some sort of strip to fill the void between the inside of the frame and the window plastic; might look better. This is still quite rough- some trimming and de-burring to do yet.

I'm enjoying my pop-rivet gun; most funnest tool I've bought in a long time.

The roof will be framed with aluminum and most likely skinned with thin Masonite, with several vents and a baffle arrangement to keep too much light from getting in.

[Jakemaster]

That looks like its coming along!  Can I come over when you're done?

I need to make myself a keyboard drawer, I have to reach over my yoke to get to the keyboard now...

[beaky]

That looks like its coming along!  Can I come over when you're done?

I need to make myself a keyboard drawer, I have to reach over my yoke to get to the keyboard now...

At the rate it's going, I may have to leave the uncompleted project to you in my will...


My plan for the keyboard tray is just a coupla inexpensive drawer glides and some plywood: the pre-made jobbies are a ripoff, considering what you get.

[Jakemaster]

[quote][quote]That looks like its coming along!

[beaky]

That looks like its coming along!  Can I come over when you're done?

I need to make myself a keyboard drawer, I have to reach over my yoke to get to the keyboard now...

At the rate it's going, I may have to leave the uncompleted project to you in my will...


My plan for the keyboard tray is just a coupla inexpensive drawer glides and some plywood: the pre-made jobbies are a ripoff, considering what you get.

My problem is I have a really odd desk.  Its got these two slide out thingies on the corners, leaving very little room in the middle for anything.  Yesterday I tried to sorta make a cardboard keyboard drawer, but just could not find a way to fit it in right.  So I gave up, and I put the keyboard on my lap

I did do something to help my overall experience however, I moved my monitor so its at eye level and closer.  Makes flying much better 8-)

Everybody has a peeve: I"ve realized I made a mistake buying a cheap chair for my desk. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I need a good chair... ouch.

[zeberdee]

Re the chair: I used a drivers seat out of a Renault 21 Savana that I scrapped mount it on a wooden box it will give you adjustment forward/backward, lumber adjustment and seat back adjustment it has a head rest and is comfy

[beaky]

Re the chair: I used a drivers seat out of a Renault 21 Savana that I scrapped mount it on a wooden box it will give you adjustment forward/backward, lumber adjustment and seat back adjustment it has a head rest and is comfy

I was talking about my regular desk chair (for my workstation, where I currently "fly")... my simpit is built around some sort of Saab seat, similar to what you describe. Can't wait to do some flying from that seat; very comfy.

But maybe I should get another car seat for my workstation... hmmmm...

[Jakemaster]

Re the chair: I used a drivers seat out of a Renault 21 Savana that I scrapped mount it on a wooden box it will give you adjustment forward/backward, lumber adjustment and seat back adjustment it has a head rest and is comfy

I was talking about my regular desk chair (for my workstation, where I currently "fly")... my simpit is built around some sort of Saab seat, similar to what you describe. Can't wait to do some flying from that seat; very comfy.

But maybe I should get another car seat for my workstation... hmmmm...

Sometimes I think it would be cool to go out to some of these airplane scrap yards and just find some cheap stuff.  You might get lucky and get a real pilots chair, or at least come away with a yoke or a knob or a switch or something.  Even if its just to have a little trinket to decorate the house, it still seems like it would be a fun day...

...FIELD TRIP!!!

[beaky]

Sometimes I think it would be cool to go out to some of these airplane scrap yards and just find some cheap stuff.  You might get lucky and get a real pilots chair, or at least come away with a yoke or a knob or a switch or something.  Even if its just to have a little trinket to decorate the house, it still seems like it would be a fun day...

...FIELD TRIP!!! :D

I'd like to find one in this area... but for now, eBay will do.
Check out the eBay Stores> Aviation Parts listings sometime- some neat items in there, and not all pricey collectibles or airworthy parts.