Progress Update
12/10/09
Making the 737 throttle handles: Have now acquired all the measurements to start my Throttle knobs, these measurements have been taken from a real Boeing 737Ng throttle (will post shortly) have not made an update last week, have been spending to much time on the handles but progress is good and I am nearly there. I have chosen them to be white in colour with black engraving. They cosist of 2 x throttle knobs, 2 x fuel cutt off, 2 x reverser, 1 x speed brake and 1 x flap. I may coat them with a resin spray but am not sure yet.
The handles are nearly there, most people paint their engraving, but the real 737 knobs are whats called colorfilled engraved, this is a process of swiping the the engraved letters with black paint allowing the paint to dry and then removing the exess paint with thinners. Its acually quite easy to do and the result outstanding, the letters come out clear and full. I tried painting but found it to be to time consuming, and the result wasn't that great either, the handle on the far right hand picture was my first attempt at colorfill engraving and it was far better than any of my hand painting trials. I hope in about three weeks i will have the finnished article, i have also made 737-200 style handles with just the numbers engraved just to see if i like them better, i will go into engraving shortly, and you will be pleased to know that it is not that difficult.
22/10/09
Handles nearly complete: They have taken quite some time to texture finish, but in the long term i think that it has been worth it. The real Boeing 737 throttle handles have a very good finish so they need to be good. The sizes are correct and i am happy with the overall appearance. Pictures and measurements coming soon.
14/11/09
Have made 10 sets of 737 throttle knobs, will post details shortly. I have been looking at paint filling the engraving, i have found the best way now and i will post the method on a separate page. What seemed to be imposible has turned out to be very easy.
I have found a company that sells real 737 parts including the throttle. i have contacted them and hope to be able to display them on this site for anyone who is lucky enough to be able to afford the real thing.
Slow progress at the moment, but Rome was not built in a day
23/11/09
Am looking at the different handle designs, both the real and the simulated style, The design of the 3 x Plate/layer simulated style seems to be the way to go.
Handles are looking very good . Can't wait to get them on a handle/lever, Also looking at the TOGA button and AT disengage, just to look ahead for the wiring aspect. Even if I am not motoized to begin with i would still like the TOGA and At Disengage to work.
8-12-09
My son Will Bryant born 01.05 hours, love you son.
9/1/10
First update for 2010 . Have cut a set of handles to see what they look like ( will show some pictures). I am leaning towards the box lever style but i need to have a think. I will probably make both.
I have taken a good look at these handles, and am going back to the drawing board. I found a set of CAD drawings on the net, I know a few guy's that have used them but there are a few dimensions that need to be changed to make them look real but still practical to make................... I have an idea !
4/2/10
Have cut out a set of handles using my new design they look pretty good, I have also made the flap and speedbrake lever, will post some pics soon
10/4/10
A set of throttle plates has arrived from a fellow throttle builder. I did an exchange on some throttle levers and handles. I am now looking at the real measurements and setting out the throttle plates to get an idea of what they look like.
12/4/10
Flaps lever has now been made and looks good, am going to look at how to start attaching bits soon but want to get the overall look correct to the eye
24/8/10
Have bee looking at the main throttle body dimension and have noted some big differences with my throttle body plates sizes., so i will be changing them. I have also been learning to use CAD so I will be able to up load the drawings to the site for you guys to download if you want. I also going back to the drawing board with the throttle levers. I am still not happy with their shape. also I have cut the flap lever down to 150mm.
Next up........... Flapgate, flapgate decal, new levers, fuel cut off levers and reverse levers.
27/8/10
Ok been a while since i last reported. Have been studying and thinking about the Boeing 737 home cockpit. I have looked at so many home sims over the past few months to get ideas.
Now one question has has raised its head is do I make my throttle motorized or not. But the real question is can I motorize it after. I think that there will be a few things to do before to prepare for this
One very important building tip.
LEAVE AS MUCH OF THE MIDDLE OF THE THROTTLE FREE AS YOU CAN
There is a very good reason for this, if you don't forget motoizing the throttle most of your throttle middle will be taken up by bolts.
So what am I going to do I hear you ask , well I am going to thread bolt the throttle plates through the front and back like many other throttle builders have done.
I have also made some calculations as to the size of the plates and I have found that most of the throttle plate CAD drawings are out to some degree so I will be adding on and taking off a little bit here and there . It's not really that important as the mock up will be covered and the main shape will be covered in a material ( not decided yet ).
So back to the question motorized or not.
I think for the first part of my build probably non motorised. I am not experienced at all with electronics so to start with non motorized will be the way to go. Also to keep cost down so we can all ahve a decent looking throttle for not a lot of money. I am still looking for the throttle to cost somewhere in the £ 200.00 region.
I am not an engieer but I am looking forward to having a go and for the first time interfacing the throttle with the computer. Many of you guys out there a far more advanced tham me as far as the electronics and engineering goes so mabe I will call on you when the time comes. At this point I will start a forum so we can all dicuss and come up with some cheap and great ideas for advancing the throttle.
For now I am going to concentrate on how the throttle looks and I will have some new pictures soon .
You can see here why you need to keep the middle of the throttle clear
