Random Pics Of My GA Build

[Tom_G_2010]

Looking Great!!!

I managed to snag the actual flap lever and knob out of a 172 so I'll be adapting the two gears you sent me to that. My original design used a slide pot but the gears you sent me will allow me to use a rotary pot and that will work far better. Other than the original slide pot the control and position indicator that I am working on looks very similar.

Flap Control.jpg

The Garmin project is shaping up nicely as well! Looking forward to more progress and pics.

[Louie Mendez]

Whoa! very nice. How did you make the slider work in a horizontal position?
Folding the sheet metal in a U-shape is a bit of a challenge specially with very little space to work with. I had to make my own V-block and press break die so it doesn't harm the mounting ears. Thank god for FloJet, sim-building and tool making got easier.

[Louie Mendez]

[Tom_G_2010]

Whoa! very nice. How did you make the slider work in a horizontal position?
Folding the sheet metal in a U-shape is a bit of a challenge specially with very little space to work with. I had to make my own V-block and press break die so it doesn't harm the mounting ears. Thank god for FloJet, sim-building and tool making got easier.

I use Google Sketch-up for my drawings so some things are a pain to draw. But free is good so Sketch-up it is.

Not shown in the drawing, for that reason is a linkage between the top of the flap control arm and the slide pot. Because the pivot point sits so far below that it moves the slide reasonable well. However, I think the gears you sent me may work much better so I'll be trying that with a rotary pot.

As for the bends on the bracket, my efforts so far have all been done in a temporary bench jig. I have not yet figured that out how to get those two very close bends at the back of the bracket. I don't have ready access to a sheet metal brake so my sheet metal work is done in a rather primitive way using a combination of a bench vice, anvil, wood blocks, and a hammer. I get fairly good results, but I'm too much of a perfectionist so it's a real pain. I was contemplating moving to a two piece bracket if I could not manage the bends any other way.

[Louie Mendez]

I have tried 2 piece brackets but it tends to sway the flap lever bracket as I shift the handle. I'm pretty sure there's a solution to that problem. One solid frame is far more stable like what you said it's a pain making things perfect =).

Update: I found a solution for the 2 piece brackets

[jollive]

Louie: Thank you very much for sharing these photos. I would like to ask how did the knobs and buttons of Garmin 430.

[Louie Mendez]

Louie: Thank you very much for sharing these photos. I would like to ask how did the knobs and buttons of Garmin 430.

I had to mold them from the actual knobs and buttons. They are primed, painted and laser etched.

[Louie Mendez]

[Louie Mendez]

Oh man I need a break. I'm gonna go to Frisco tonite and hit up a lounge. Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!

[No Longer Active]

Hey Pal,

Congrats on the excellent work, you indeed look like you need a well deserved drink, go and take a flight somewhere and enjoy the fresh air!

Congrats on your progress, excellent work!

Thanks for sharing.

Alex