To the PIT! To the PIT! Add more "stuff" to the PIT.

 Added the followings:

  • Two front posts.
  • A sliding keyboard tray.
The original idea was to add the two front posts, and then hang two horizontal bars between the two posts. The top bar was intended to hang TM Boeing Yoke, or a driving wheel. The lower bar was intended for hanging a sliding keyboard tray, preferably slightly above the lap, and moveable so to facilitate ingress and egress.

Basically, create a "gate" to hang stuff.

Eventually the build progressed to erect the two posts... Hmmm... very sturdy. They alone would stand fast and steady, the horizontal bars are not structurally required.

So, on the left post, I hung a small arm tray... for a keypad (for FPS), and the lower post hung a longer arm for keyboard. This almost reached the ideal lap position...

On the right post, currently I hang a small arm tray, intended for a mouse pad.

Then, instead of constructing the horizontal bars, I decided to hang the sliding keyboard tray under the hefty table. This is a sliding keyboard tray that I specifically selected for a long sliding out distance. The vendor supplied keyboard tray is not deep enough to hang the TM Boeing Yoke -- not enough spare space for the "clamp" under the tray. So, currently, I have a 3/4" thick 24" x 12" plywood for it. But, I have a 1" thick African Mahogany board on order to replace it. It worked out much better than I expected.

The long sliding out distance is great. It reached my lap at ideal height -- very comfortable for playing FPS, but also great for flying even F16, like a giant knee board. The sliding out, and the tilting up is great for getting in and out of the PIT, as you can see in the pictures.

Note that, this doesn't mean I cannot hang a horizontal bar. I can still hang one if I want to and hang more stuff. But seriously, I am running out of stuff to hang! So, unless I build panels and gauges, there is not a lot of stuff to hang anymore.

However, the flexibility of the 80/20 quick build stuff is great for future expansion and design/build. I have a pre-order TM F16 Viper throttle incoming, and my own design of stick/throttle/rudder with force generation incoming (if ever). Even for my own design, I don't have the dimension for them. The quick build stuff can accommodate them all.

 














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