MIP stands...again

[stu]

First off and apology - I know this question has done the rounds in the past:oops:but...

I'm lurking at the moment and am putting together various lists of components and plans to get my pit started. One of the biggest hurdles I'm facing is working out how to build a good MIP stand - there doesn't seem to be any one particular way of doing it (half the fun of the self-build right!).

I was wondering if anyone out there had a good set of plans for a 737 MIP stand. Mike Latham very kindly sent me a set of plans last week which I think were originally posted on the 737ng.bg site - but even they require the builder to improvise a touch in order to get things put together (I'm not that good unfortunately :(). So what's required is a bit more of a "MIP stands for dummies" type of plans. I realise that this might be a big ask - most of you have invested many hours putting your stands together - so I would understand if you were reluctant to let me have them (no hard feelings either!).

One thing I've also noticed with the stands available from the major manufacturers is that they don't always get the lower panel angle and shape quite right - I think this is due to the fact they are working with sheet aluminium rather than MDF. This has put me off buying - at least for now.

Finally, does anyone know of any self-builders using this forum located in Scotland - near or thereabouts to Glasgow?

Thanks all

[Trevor Hale]

Hey Stu.

I think you will see a common look at everyone's MIP Stand. The funnies part is, we all build the mip stand as if it is going to hold CRT monitors, even though most of us are using LCD's. (except Gwyn) LOL But even though I am using LCD's my Mip stand still can carry 2 17's and a 19" monitor.

I have built my Mip stand to accommodate the correct slops of the Dassault falcon, with measurements from tht real aircraft foot wells etc. However, the principal is the same.

All that being said, what I am getting at here is this.

If you are going to BUY your MIP Panels, purchase them first. The reason I say this is every manufacturer is a little different, and you will need to see where on your MIP stand you can hide the uprights behind your MIP, and this will also depend on your monitors.

Generally the plan is this.

17" LCD for Pilot and FO, and a 19" on it's side for the Standby and EICAS.

So once you have your monitors, and your MIP, then you can get your own dimensions from that setup to build the "shelf" for lack of a better word to hold it all.

Does that make sense?

Trev

[ozziesim]

Im Not sure if you were refering to this site http://users.pandora.be/b737ng/overv.htm

i based my base on this and it seems to work pretty well so far, with some of my own adjustments.

Unfortunately, and i dont mean this in a nasty way, there is no how to for dummies when it comes to this hobby, i wish there was.

like the others have said you really need to decide first if you are going to buy MIP kits first. The big mistake i made, being eager to get started was build the MIP stand first, and then find i had to pull it apart to suit the MIP i purchased.

If you are not too good with the cutting you can always go and get your local cabinet maker to cut them up, they have the tools to do this and it will be worth the money and less frustration for yourself.

This is the thing i love about this hobby, there are really not too many rules or boundaries, each builder has there own unique way of making their sim suit and work. Its not the handyman type stuff you should be worried about, it really is up to your imagination.

Like Trev said each of the manufacturers products are slightly different so there really is no one set way of building the stand.

Just be careful if buying a prebuilt stand as it will pretty much only suit that manufactures type MIP and accompanying products.

[stu]

Guys - thank you

It does seem more sensible to hang fire and wait for the MIP before I decide on a stand option. I also agree that a home-made stand would give me more flexibility.

Cheers

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

g'day captain....
best i can offer you is what i found on my travels.
have a look at this document, it may help you out.
http://www.737ng.co.uk/B737%20measurements.pdf
good luck and let us know how you get on.
rgds ... ian

[stu]

Thanks Ian. I've looked at these on your site too - which is massively impressive by the way - I'm not jealous at all!

When I get stuck into my stand, I'll get some specs drawn up and posted. I've started to use the new Google Sketchup program which is pretty useful for that sort of stuff so hopefully it'll produce some decent graphic output at the end.

Noticed you're in Oswestry! I'm an exile from Shrewsbury (Longden in fact) having lived in Scotland for the past 11 years. The "Town" is still my home though, and I could drive to Oswestry blind-folded so if possible I would love to pop by some time and have a nosey at your set up?

All the best

Stuart

[Trevor Hale]

g'day captain....
best i can offer you is what i found on my travels.
have a look at this document, it may help you out.
http://www.737ng.co.uk/B737%20measurements.pdf
good luck and let us know how you get on.
rgds ... ian


This has to be the most complete set of measurements I have ever seen.

Wow, you truly are a champ.

Trev

[dnoize]

Trev,

The exact same file is in the downloads section of this site since the conception of IFSBI.org i think ;-)

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=11

come on Administrative Director :-) ;-)

As is Frank Bonds tutorial on which the stand seems to be based :-)

Stef

[Trevor Hale]

Trev,

The exact same file is in the downloads section of this site since the conception of IFSBI.org i think ;-)

http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=11

come on Administrative Director :-) ;-)

As is Frank Bonds tutorial on which the stand seems to be based :-)

Stef

LOL thanks Stef.. ummm, yeah... ummmm Just testing you all... umm... Would it help if I admitted to you all that I am not building a 737.. umm..

Ok yeah you got me. I guess I don't download our own files often enough.. :roll::roll::rolleyes:

[dnoize]

which doesnt change the fact that Ians site has a wealth of information btw !

Stef

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

first, trev..... i am humbled to recieve an accolade from someone 'up there' :o)

second, stef, thank you for your confidence and here's your bedtime reading for over the weekend. with pete dowson blowing the control of the PMDG overhead wide open by his mousetrapping technique, i have now removed the symulatory overhead and fitted my new one (albeit provisonally, needs slight 'adjustment'). so it allowed me to completely re-think the switching/connections.
as i was going along i kept lots of notes which let me document the whole process. this has now been uploaded to my website. there's a ton of info and circuit diagrams and suggested switching techniques. i am very pleased with the operation of the hardware/software overhead panel integration. it's about 95% accurate, but i already know how i can improve it. have a look at it and comment (good or bad, i can take it) or correct what you see wrong (i'm bound to have made a mistake somewhere).
http://www.737ng.co.uk/overhead.htm

third, stu, good grief man you're from shrewsbury! next time your home, put a blindfold on and drive to oswestry. i'm always available to have a captain fly the sim while i fetch the coffee. it's always a pleasure to have company from TOC to TOD :o)

finally, chris danker (the first mycockpits.org member to fly the new overhead. we have to be nice to him, he's a real KLM maintenance manager and he is going to teach me lots, but he doesn't know it yet)....
looking forward to seeing you saturday, bring your tool box.

thanks guys for your input, just boosts the 'enthusiasm' factor

regards to all...... ian

[Trevor Hale]

first, trev..... i am humbled to recieve an accolade from someone 'up there' :o)




LOL Ian.. did I detect some Sarcasm there???? :mrgreen:

[ian@737ng.co.uk]

no sir, not at all. it does no harm to suck up to the boss :o)