737 Panels, Build your own, Can anyone help?

[Spoceto1003]

I want to build a 737 Sim, I am planning the overhead panel. I don't need the switches to work, but I want toggles switches and knobs in the right place, so it looks right...but I don't want to buy each panel for around 25 Euros from places like Cockpitsonic shop, unless there is no alternative,
I was hoping that there was a way of printing off images from my PC which I could them fit behind acrylic.
Is there anyone who has come across a similar problem, I want to be proud of my own sim knowing that I made it, as opposed to just piecing the bits together.
Thanks in anticipation

[Mike.Powell]

In fact, some people have done just that. There are many variations on that theme.

One option is to buy a procedures training poster and mount it on some sort of backing. You can then cut holes in the appropriate locations and mount switches and lights. The poster provides the various markings and panel color.

Another option is to use a drawing program to create an image of the overhead and have a printing firm print the image in color, full size.

You can even create back lighting. If you use "lighting white" acrylic sheet plastic, you can embed LEDs in shallow holes drilled into the back of the acrylic. A paper overlay with white markings on color background will light up slightly. It will take some experimenting to find the correct combination of paper opacity and number of LEDs. I've been experimenting with 5mm high output, wide angle LED from one of the Ebay vendors with promising results.

[Spoceto1003]

Thanks for your advice, I have looked at other forum threads and 737 Gez has e-mailed me CAD drawings, You mention training posters, that sounds interesting? do you know where you can get these from? and for how much?

Thanks again for your advice Spoceto1003

[Geremy Britton]

It's ended now, but that was listed on ebay a couple of weeks back. That would be ideal for you i guess.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AIT&viewitem=

That gives you an idea of cost too.

Keep a look out for at least the posters, they're on frequently.

Otherwise you can modify the CAD file i sent you to include colour and get it printed at a local print/architects office for 30 quid ish for the overhead at 1:1

Hope that helps - and good luck with the up and coming building by the way!

...

[Mike.Powell]

Thanks for your advice, I have looked at other forum threads and 737 Gez has e-mailed me CAD drawings, You mention training posters, that sounds interesting? do you know where you can get these from? and for how much?

Thanks again for your advice Spoceto1003

I was thinking about Avsoft (www.avsoft.com). However, after taking a fresh look at the site, I don't think the affordable posters are printed to scale.

[phil744]

if you was to make your panels induvidually then you can use a normal A4 printer to produce the artwork and it will give more detail aswell.

[Shawn]

I want to build a 737 Sim, I am planning the overhead panel. I don't need the switches to work, but I want toggles switches and knobs in the right place, so it looks right...but I don't want to buy each panel for around 25 Euros from places like Cockpitsonic shop, unless there is no alternative,
I was hoping that there was a way of printing off images from my PC which I could them fit behind acrylic.
Is there anyone who has come across a similar problem, I want to be proud of my own sim knowing that I made it, as opposed to just piecing the bits together.
Thanks in anticipation

I have been experimenting with exactly what you described. Printing homemade images on my inkjet printer and mounting them to the back of a piece of plexiglass with a spray on adhesive. On my first attempt I only sprayed the adhesive to the plexiglass and you could see areas that didn't bond as well as I would have liked. I'll be making a second attempt this weekend and will post some pics if it works out. This is an example of one of the panels I am building. I only use the autopilot so I can go to the bathroom or get another beer, so it's functionality is pretty limited.

[Bob Reed]

I too was looking at doing the OH this way but... How do you cut all those square holes in the plexi?

[Michael Carter]

The question begs to be asked, so I will.

Why would you want to have an overhead that looked like an overhead, had all of the switches, but didn't work?

There's really no point in going to all of that sort of trouble and then not hooking it up to an input card.

Just a curious observation.

[Spoceto1003]

Michael,
thanks for your post, however we don't all have the technical expertise to be able to build a fully functioning overhead panel, but I would like to be able to have my own sim, that I can enjoy with the look and feel of a 737,
If I had the electrical knowledge to do it all, then I would, but I don't.
Different folks like different strokes....
It is good that we are all not the same...