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Hobnobs

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  1. Very simple to make. Takes about an hour. I wrote this as a "dummies" guide. It is not my intention to partonise anyone with these skills already, I'm just to trying to help if you don't have any experience working with wood. DISCLAIMER: Use at your own risk. I won't be responsible for any damage, fires or wild animals running through your simpit as a result of this guide. I strongly suggest you seek approval from your partner (wife or husband) before proceeding to save any marital problems. You have been warned. Materials and tools required: A jigsaw. You can use a handsaw as an alternative but be ready to sweat a bit! A drill. A battery one that doubles as a screw gun works best. Tape measure, pencil and either cross-head bit for drill or hand cross-head screwdriver. A 2mm wood drill bit to drill pilot holes for screws. Assorted wood screws of varying lengths. 3 to 4 metres of 140mm x 15mm timber. I used some wood left over from a children's climbing frame. 1 metre of 45mm x 10mm timber. Method: I have labelled the parts of the frame. Use in reference to photo below. Place chair in position where it needs to be a comfortable sitting position and rotate casters until two of them are straight. Measure distance from wall to rear side of casters. This measurement will be the length of your frame. Mine is 1260mm. Measure your rudder pedals across the width. This will be the width of your frame. The Saitek Cessna rudder pedals I have are 400mm. Cut two lengths of the 140mm x 15mm timber to the length of frame you have - A and B Cut a piece of 45mm x 10mm timber according to the width of the frame. This will be the brace (C) for the rear of the frame that goes against the wall. This is just to help make the frame rigid. Cut another piece of 45mm x 10mm timber again the width of the frame. This will be the caster brace for the chair (D). Use the jigsaw to cut out the wells for your feet in A and B so they can rest directly on the floor if you aren't on the rudder pedals. Mine are 330mm length by 110mm width. This enough for someone with size 10 feet wearing shoes. Cut your wells according to what you need to rest your feet on the floor comfortably. Drill pilot holes in A and B at the back end for 4 screws to fix C to A and B. Drill pilot holes in A and B at the chair end for 4 screws to fix D to A and B. Note that D will stand up on its edge and not lie flat. This is to ensure that the chair cannot run over D when back pressure is applied as a result of you pushing the rudder pedals. Note that pilot holes are required not to split the wood when you screw into it! When everything is screwed together lie the frame down against the wall and lock the casters behind D. Now place your rudder pedals on top of the frame and position so that you will be comfortable with the distance between the pedals and the chair. Screw the rudder pedals to the frame taking care that the length of screw you use doesn't go all the way through the base (I won't be responsible if you damage your floor or your rudder pedals!). I used 4 screws in the back of the rudder pedals only. This is sufficient to stop any movement. The Cessna pedals conveniently have holes for this purpose. If you are using other rudder pedals you will need to adapt as required. Time to test. Sit in the chair and work your rudder pedals. There should be minimal movement in either if you have secured everything correctly. Go flying!
  2. Ok, here goes: This works best if your desk is against a wall but in theory the locking motion should work providing you put some rubber feet under the wood to create some friction. As you can see I created a frame to lock both rudder pedals and chair into a fixed position. You have to measure your own distance. I did create a plan for this and I'll upload it in a separate post. I just don't have it to hand. If there is enough interest I can create a thread in Tips and Tricks which shows the process from start to finish and then you guys can help me refine it. The cost is less than $10/£5 and one hour of time. Pushing the rudder pedals creates an equal and opposite reaction against the chair (Newton's third law) and tada! No more skating across the floor into the kitchen.
  3. I had to fashion my own frame for that. Works well, pushing against the rudder pedals actually locks the chair into position. I'm on version 2 with further adjustable refinements to come. All you need is some spare wood and a jigsaw.
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