Thair

Throttle quadrant wood

This is the necessary stuff. A piece of MDF of 61x122cm and 8mm thick, wire ends of 8 and 10mm and rings and nuts of 8 and 10mm. I have cut the MDF into pieces.

I printed the drawings on a (color) laser printer. Not only ‘normal’ but also mirrored. This makes it possible to transfer this mirrored image to the MDF.

I first cut small strips of selfadhesive tape. I stuck those to the back of the paper on those places with no lines or text.

Take a piece of tissue or kitchen towel and a bottle of thinner. Take good care for enough ventilation, thinner isn’t a pleasant liquid to work with. Wet the tissue with thinner and rub the tissue over the back of the paper. You can now see where the lines and text are placed. Next take a little more thinner and apply pressure during the rubbing. This will transfer the toner to the wood. You can slightly lift the paper to see if you have applied enough pressure. If not, wet the tissue again and apply some more pressure.

If you have done everything correctly the toner will be transfered to the wood. Now you need to have patience. The wood has to be completely dry before you continue.

Here you can see al the panels on which the toner has been transfered. You can see which panel I did the last, the rest has already dried a little. Be patient, everything has to be completely dry before you continue.

Offcourse you can use a hand jigsaw or a (course) electrical jigsaw, but it work best with a (fine) electrical jigsaw as showed in the picture. You have the most control without having to put much pressure on the wood. This is very important if you have to saw small pieces (again see the photo).

All pieces are cut to size and await further treatment like drilling holes and sanding down the sides.

This afternoon I drilled, sawed and sanded the panels. When sanding you need to take a special order into consideration (due to the size and shape of the panels). The panels are mounted in this order. First panels 2 and 3 (slanted front), then panel 1 (round front), panels 10 and 11 (round top and backside) and then panels 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 en 9 (rest).

Then you need to glue some panels together. These are 4 with 5 and 9 with 10. Keep in mind that the panels are numbered from right to left! Because panel 10 has a very narrow piece I first put panel 6 on the wire ends for support. After fastening all nuts I added some glue clamps with protection panels on top. Now we just have to wait until the glue has dried up.

I found another error in the original drawing for the thrustlevers. It stated a length of 12cm and when I wanted to put everything togerther I found out that it had to be 15cm. I amended the drawing, printed it, transfered it to the MDF, sawed it and mounted it again (and all that twice).

After this I could mount the rest of the woodwork to get an impression of how it could look. Both thrustlevers still have some space, but that will be fixed in the future. I found out that you need not only measure the distances between the panels, but also the total distance. Now there is a difference of 2mm between the front and the back. What I also noticed is that the left and right thrustlevers are swapped.

First I made a spreadsheet with not only the thicknes of the wood but also the distances between the panels. Besides the distances between each panel. I also calculated the total distance from panel 1. On those places where there is room between two adjacent panels I also described what that would be used for. This will make the assembly easier and definitely clearer.

I not only put each panel in the correct distance, I also switched both thrust levers and put them between nuts and washers. During this (renewed) mount I also found out (also due to the spreadsheet) that some panels aren’t only glued to eachother, but also mounted together. Panel 3 is directly mounted against the combination of panels 4 and 5. I assume this is to install the flaps handle more easy.

So dry fitting everything has its advantages. A number of things are now a lot clearer to me. Now I will have to make a list for all the electronic components that I will be needing to put everything together.

Today I started making the trimwheel. You need two circles of MDF 19cm diameter. For filling up the edge you need eight quarter circles. The outsides will be cut straight and the inside in an angle of 45 degrees.

The table of the saw will first be placed in an angle of 45 degrees.

Then each quarter circle is cut on the inside. Because the wood is cut at an angle each abberation will be axtra visible, but that can be sanded away later.

After everything is cut and drilled the time has come to glue the circles together. Apply glue to one of these disc and put the backend of the drill to both holes to line the discs up. Then apply pressure by putting some glue clamps on the discs.

This is what the trimwheel looks like after it has been filled and sanded.

First I milled a number of panels and the indented wheel for the trim so the washers will be level with the MDF. This gives more room between the panels to mount things. I also shortened the middle wire end, this now ends directly after panel 8.

This makes it possible to mount the wire end for the trimwheel from the outside to directly after panel 9. By turning two nuts against eachother the wire end can turn without any space in panels 9 and 11. Because both the trimwheel and the indented wheel are mounted firmly on the wire end they can move freely.

To be able to mount the trimwheel, I had to move both outer wire ends so the surplus is now on the right side. The wire end for the trimwheel has it surplus still on the left side. All wire ends will be cut to length after everything is mounted as it should (but before mounting the finishing parts on the outside).

Today I turned the grips for (from top to bottom) the thrust levers, reversers and cut-offs. I drilled holes in the grips for the thrust levers for the wires of the auto pilot disengage switches. I drilled those holes a little slanted so they do not appear in the middle at the back side, there has to be room in the middle for the screw to attach the grip to the thrust lever. I also drilled a hole at the outside with a 12mm speed drill to be able to fit the switch.

Then I routed a slit in the thrust levers to guide the wires through. When the wires are attached, this slit will be filled again.

From 3mm multiplex I made some discs with a hole in it for the auto throtlle disengage switch. On this I glued a ring of 9mm MDF so the switchs is partly covered. After fitting the switches I taped some sticky tape to the switches so I can paint the wood without also painting the switch.

Today I have been busy with the thrust levers. Specially the hiding of the wires had my attention. I routed some grooves in those places where the wires would otherwise be visible. These grooves are very ‘crude’ so the wires will better stick in those grooves.

I also mounted the strips for the reversers. These strips will have to be bent into shape later. To be able to determine the place of the pivoting point I put the microswitches in their places before drawing the holes for the strips

Today I have been busy to finish the thrust levers and reversers as far as possible. First I assembled everything (as far as necessary) to be able to measure the distances. I need this to calculate in what angles I have to bent the aluminum strips for the reversers.

After this I guided the wires of the thrust levers through the holes and screwed everything together. Wires that are pushed into a groove have the habit of coming out again. To prevent this I twisted the wires a little. This makes them stay where I want them to stay.

After assembling the aluminum strips things are going to look good. During this assembling I noticed that I had swapped the knobs on the handles. This corrupts the wiring schedule I had made (black left and red right). No problemo, just document it and remember it during the connection to the interface.

I assembled the three central panels (6-8) on just the middle wire end. Now you can see how it will eventually look.

Only the springs for the reversers still have to be assembled. These needed to be measured first and that was only possible when all other things had been assembled.

Today I have been busy with completely different things. Nevertheless I still found some time to make preparations for the cut-offs amongst other things. I determined the pivoting point for the cut-offs. I also made blocks as a ‘stop’ for the thrust levers.

On both the front stops as the down position of the cut-offs will come a microswitch to be able to determine its position. It may be possible that the microswitch for the cut-offs will also have to be placed on a small block depending on the distance between the panel and the strip. I will also glue some carpetting againts the stops for the thrust levers to dampen the sound (and feeling) when they touch. I will have to take this thickness into account when placing the blocks against the panels.

168 thoughts on “Throttle quadrant wood”

  1. Krisztian

    Hi Theo!

    Nice job! Congratulations!

    I am now also starting to build a cockpit.
    Move from Go-Flight, Saitek stuffz to own build ones.

    I have seen your quadrant! Also nice job!

    Is it possible to send me the CAD drawings for the woodworks?
    I will try to laser-cut the parts and build my own one…

    Thanks,
    Krisztian, Budapest

    Reply ↓
    2. Laszlo

      Hello Theo,

      Really nice job.

      I would like to make this throttle, because it’s fantastic.
      Should you send me to CAD drawing?

      Thanks,
      Laslie

      Reply ↓
  3. Shoaib

    Really nice job.

    I would like to make this throttle, because it’s fantastic looks real.
    can you please send me CAD drawing? if possible in jpg or pdf formate.

    Thanks,
    Shoaib

    Reply ↓
  6. Harry

    hallo Theo,

    Complimenten!! ziet er geweldig uit. Ik ben al een tijdje bezig een 737 cockpit in elkaar te sleutelen. Ben nu aangekomen bij een Trottle Quardrant. Alle onderdelen zijn gereed, maar waar ik niet achter kan komen is de afstand tussen de delen 1 t/m 11. Kan jij mij daar aan helpen? Alvast bedankt, en veel suc6 met de bouw

    Reply ↓
    1. Theo Post author

      Hoi Harry,

      ik weet de originele afstanden tussen de panelen ook niet. Ik heb hiervoor de afstanden aangehouden die nodig zijn voor het plaatsen van de diverse onderdelen (servo’s en dergelijke). Dit heb ik echter wel in een spreadsheet gezet. Ik zal deze naar je mailen.

      Succes met de bouw,

      Theo.

      Reply ↓
  7. Declercq Dieter

    Hallo,
    zou ik de CAD drawings en pdf kunnen krijgen aub. Hebt u ook afmetingen van de throttle handles? zou deze ook draaien uit hout.
    mvg Dieter

    Reply ↓
    1. Theo Post author

      Hallo Dieter,

      ik heb de tekeningen (zowel in AutoCAD als in .pdf formaat) per e-mail naar je toe gestuurd. De maten van de panelen en hendels zijn in deze tekeningen verwerkt.

      Succes met de bouw.

      Theo.

      Reply ↓
  8. MARK

    Hi Theo,
    Could you please send to me the PDF drawings for the quadrant – its thanks to people like you that build components and prove the dimensions, saving us newbies from falling foul of problems. Inspiring stuff keep up the excellent work.
    All the best and take care
    Kindest regards
    Mark (From near Cardiff Airport,UK)

    Reply ↓
  9. MARK

    Hi Theo

    Thank you for the drawings – do you have any drawings for the metalwork for the thrust reverse, spoiler, flap and cut off levers?

    At the moment I am building my forward overhead – about 60% through the manufacturing stage using 3mm acrylic sheet.

    Mark

    Reply ↓
    1. Theo Post author

      Hi Mark,

      I have sent you the drawings for the metal parts of both the flaps and the cut-off and parking brake parts by email. I have also added these drawings to the .zip file for future requests.

      Greetings,

      Theo.

      Reply ↓
      1. Graham Cowling

        Hi Theo
        I would also like a set of drawings please. Been looking for a project like this for ages.. thanks in advance

        Graham

        Reply ↓
  10. Glen Woodman

    I’m very interested in getting your plans for the 737 Throttle Quadrant. Are you still around and can you send me a copy of the plans please?

    I have been interested in building a flight simulator for a long time and I’m trying to get together the necessary information to build one.

    Thanks!

    Glen

    Reply ↓
      1. Theo Post author

        Hi Glen,

        the mail bounced due to kind of filter on your mailbox. The message I got was “The sending IP address has been blocked by Cox due to exhibiting spam-like behavior“. I will send you the drawings again after you have informed me that this filter has (temporarily) been removed.

        Greetings,

        Theo.

        Reply ↓
  11. Chris

    Hi Theo,

    I’m also attempting this build. I’ve been using the CAD plans off Rudy’s website, however it looks like these differ to yours in several areas. Would you mind sending you CADs and/or PDFs through to me please?

    I also have a question regarding the thrust reverse levers. I understand that on the real 737 TQ these can be left in the ‘on’ position without being held. Do you intend to capture this detail, or with they be spring loaded to return to off? If yes I’m interesting in how you arrange the parts, there’s not much room inside those throttle levers!

    Thanks,

    Chris

    Reply ↓
  12. Steve

    Hi Theo

    As with many comments above I would also like a copy of the drawings in pdf as I am looking to build a TQ myself. I have other drawings but am looking at all available to ensure things look right.

    cheers
    Steve

    Reply ↓
  13. Roar Kristensen

    Hi,

    I am planning to improve my Saitek modified Throttle stand and came over your site. Good job. Could you please send me complete set of drawing to make the throttle.

    Thanks in advance

    Roar

    Reply ↓
  14. Roar Kristensen

    Hi,

    Thanks for drawings.

    Just some question re the drawings:

    1. Is the throttle levers drawing scale? When I print it out I do not get the throttle handle diameter to be 30 mm, but much less. Is this by
    purpose or what? I also compared the width of the handles and they sure are not as wide (52) as given in the B737 Measurement doc from
    Marcus (60).

    I have also attached some images that I really do not understand.

    1. Drawings vs images do not seems to be the same.

    2. Marcus drawing has totally different measures, i.e 320( Marcus) vs 275 ( your drawings)

    Now I have to say, I really do not know which ones is most correct.

    I just want to make the throttle up to as much scale I can.

    Any comments on this?

    Images are sent in a separate email.

    Roar

    Reply ↓
    1. Theo Post author

      Hi Roar,

      the drawings of the levers are NOT to scale (they won’t fit on an A4) so you have to adjust those to the sizes as mentioned on the drawing. The sizes of Marcus are the real sizes of a B738 cockpit, I had to size them down where possible because of the limited space I have for my cockpit.

      Greetings,

      Theo.

      Reply ↓
  15. Kenji Yamamoto

    Hello! I am really interested in your design of the throttle quadrant. Would u be kind enough to send me the CADDrawing file? PDF format would be fine too!

    Reply ↓
  16. Russ Gratton

    Hi, wow , just found you on google I am really interested in your design of the throttle quadrant. Would it be possible to send me the PDF format! the app for AutoCad is not that good, but I could try if thats all you have, added your page to my favorites, Many Thanks Russ

    Reply ↓
  18. Marco

    Hi,
    Contratulations for the great job!!!
    I’am really interested in your design of this throttle quadrant.
    Would it be possible to send me the PDF format?
    If do you have any drawings for the metalwork for the thrust reverse, spoiler, flap and cut off levers would be great too!
    Thanks

    Reply ↓
    1. Theo Post author

      I used 10k liniair slide potmeters. The size is about 8-10cm long as I remember correctly, but that is not that important. You will have to find out where on the levers you will have to fix the bolt for operating these potmeters in your own throttle. That is the only way you can take care of not pushing the operating rod too far and hence damage the potmeters.

      Greetings,

      Theo.

      Reply ↓
  20. jaehwan

    Hi!

    You saw the 737 well-throttle.
    I called the shin living in South Korea.
    Using Google translate, leaving the post.
    Excuse me, can there any ever let me give an AutoCAD file?
    I would like to see made to the throttle 737.

    shin….

    Reply ↓
  23. Stephen P

    Great job!
    Thanks for your willingness to share your design. If possible I would like both the cad and pdf versions. Greatly appreciated!

    Reply ↓
  25. Kev Townsend

    Hi Theo
    Great workmanship. I too am building the 738. I’m basing my electronics on Peter Jongens work https://phpjj.wordpress.com
    Would you kindly let me have a copy of the throttle plans too please.
    Both CAD and PDF would be appreciated.
    Good luck with the ppl.
    Best wishes
    Kev

    Reply ↓
  26. Robert

    Hi Theo,

    Great job! I am starting my own build, would you be willing to let me have a copy of the plans? CAD and PDF would be great.
    Best wishes,

    Rob

    Reply ↓
  28. Ola

    Hi!

    I’m in the process of building a 737 cockpit, mainly with parts from Opencockpit/Cockpitsimparts. Looking into diy motorized throttle led me from buildaboeing to minicockpit.wordpress.com, and from there to your exelent throttle build.
    My question is the same as the other 737-enthusiasts; any chance I could get a copy of your drawings?

    Regards

    Reply ↓
  29. Kresimir Sekulic

    HI, i just saw this and would like to make it. Can you send me pdd and cad drawings on xxxx

    Thank you.. and wel done

    Reply ↓
  32. gerardo lizardo

    Hi sir, excellent job. Im starting my b737 Project and need some help to get CAD files and start building, any help will be apreciated. thanks im from venezuela

    Reply ↓
  33. Martin Bunjes

    Hallo Theo,

    fantastisch stuk vakmanschap. Zou je me misschien het ontwerp kunnen sturen ?
    Ik volg met spanning je verichtingen!

    Reply ↓
  34. Frank Mulder

    Hi Theo.

    You did a fantastic work. I want to build your throttle. Could you send me ylur drawings in PDF format?

    Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  35. Frank Mulder

    Hi Theo.

    You did a fantastic work. I want to build your throttle. Could you send me your drawings in PDF format?

    Thanks!

    Reply ↓
  36. Lars

    Hi Theo!

    I’m reading your articles for hours now and have to congratulate you on your work – it’s fantastic! You have done a really good job!
    I especially like your work on the Throttle Quadrant. And because I’m also trying to build a home cockpit I want to ask if you would send me CAD files for the throttle too?
    Thanks in advance and all times a good “flight”

    Lars

    Reply ↓
  38. Silviu

    Hello.
    I’m interested in building a wood throttle quadrant and i wonder if you could send me the pdf drawings for your build.
    Thank you
    Silviu

    Reply ↓
  39. Ed Da Silva

    hi mate!

    im impresion in your project ´cauze i was building my 738 cockpit but i had problems with the sizes about the pedestal and trottle, could u share me ur files please? im so interest it. About ur project its looks very great! you finished all the cockpit?

    Reply ↓
    1. Theo Post author

      Hi Ed,

      I have sent you the drawings in both .pdf and .dwg format. The B738 cockpit is not finished yet (when will a cockpit ever be finished) because I am also building a Baron B58 cockpit / MIP for low-and-slow flying and also a racing simulator. It gets quite cramped in my simroom so I have to decide which sim I want to operate and then move the other sims out of the way (apart from the B738 which can’t be moved.

      Greetings,

      Theo.

      Reply ↓
  42. diego

    Great job & very inspirational.
    I’m about to build my own throttle as well.
    Can I have a copy of CAD drawings please?
    Regards,
    diego

    Reply ↓
  43. Nathan Radford

    G’Day Mate,

    Awesome Job with the TQ 🙂 ,I am thinking about replacing my Saitek TQ with a b737 Replica .Could you please Mail me the files in Corel format & Pdf .

    Keep up the great work ,also what sort of time frame did it take to to make the TQ, Just curious as i plan on using a leo bodner button card .

    Kind Regards,
    Nathan

    Reply ↓
  44. Lucas Lerch

    Hello,
    I have been searching for a drawing of the wood panels for a while now too. Aeesome project you have. Is it possible you could send me the files/ drawings in CAD (dwg or dxf) or pdf?

    Regards, Lucas

    Reply ↓
  45. Martins O

    Hello Thair
    good job with your design and I would like to replicate it.
    Can you please send me your PDF working drawings of throttle design and autoCAD files if possible.
    I can import the files in to NX11 and make adjustment to fit my cockpit. Thank and looking forward to you response.

    Reply ↓
  46. Ricardo Heatherly

    Once I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any approach you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!

    Reply ↓
    1. Theo Post author

      Hi Ricardo,

      I’ve searched the internet for you but I can only disable notification to myself (which I obviously do not want to do) and nowhere can I find anything about controlling notification for users. So I guess you will have to tackle this “probem” yourself. I suppose you have tried to get back to the original page where you created the notification and tried to alter that set-up? In case that doesn’t help, you can always block these mails in your e-mail client.

      Greetings,

      Theo.

      Reply ↓
  47. mohd fazli sharudin

    hi sir. nice job
    i want make own thorttle like u.
    but not drawing for cutting wood.
    can u share with me

    Reply ↓
  49. Maciej

    Hello,

    Would you mind sharing cad file with me for thr throttle quadrant?

    Just starting my journey with cockpit build again after few years and want to start with TQ.

    Thanks
    Maciej

    Reply ↓
  50. William Sandford

    Dear Theo,

    Amazing work on this throttle quadrant. I am building one myself and I would love it if you could email me the files for the plates, handles, etc.

    Many thanks,
    Will

    Reply ↓
  51. William Sandford

    Theo,

    I’m not sure my previous comment got through, so I’m posting again just to be sure.

    Would you please share the CAD design with me?

    Great work,

    Will

    Reply ↓
  54. William

    Theo,
    I am attempting a build like this, so I would be grateful if you could share with me the plans for the quadrant, handles, levers, etc.
    Many thanks,
    Will

    Reply ↓
    1. Theo Post author

      Hi William,

      it seems like you are a little impatient. One request is enough. I normally look only once a day for these kind of requests. I have sent you the desired TQ drawings by email.

      Greetings,

      Theo.

      Reply ↓
  55. Galleri Patrick

    Dear friend
    you would be able to send me the plans of the throttle quadrant wood in pdf.
    your site is perfect in that it will help me enormously for my construction project.
    Best regards
    Patrick

    Reply ↓
  58. Willibald Heilinger

    Hallo Theo
    Ich habe mir deinen bericht angesehen und muss sagen ein Kompliment
    sehr gute Arbeit.
    Ich würde sie sehr gerne Bitten mir die CAD-Dateien zu senden.

    Herzlichen Dank im Voraus
    Willibald

    Reply ↓
  59. Deniz Gunes

    Hi Theo could you send me the dimmensions and spacing for the throttle quadrant pls.
    Ty very much. Also the drawing for the speed brake parking brake and cuttof would help me alot.
    Im 14 years old and im trying to build one like yours.
    Keep up the good Work

    Reply ↓
  61. Chris

    Hi Theo,

    Iam looking for the cad/3D drawing of the thrustlevers. Any chance that have them, if so could send them to me. Much appreciated.
    Thanks for a very inspiring page by the way.

    Regards, Chris

    Reply ↓
  64. Rohan Lorian

    Hi, what an excellent build. would I be able to get a copy of the drawings to have a go at building my own
    quadrant. Thank you

    Rohan

    Reply ↓
  65. Denny

    Hello Theo,

    I’m building my own 737. Looking on the internet how others are building there own.
    Nice to see this Throttle quadrant designed by you! Nice job.
    If possible can you send the ACAD drawings of the TQ? Much appreciated!

    Many thanks.

    Denny

    Reply ↓
  66. redcubie

    Hi Theo,
    I like your design, it’s better than others I have found online because it is newer and doesn’t require parts from a flight stick throttle module.
    I’m interested in building a 737 TQ.
    Can you please send me the CAD drawings in the standard CAD format and PDF?
    I’m not sure yet, if I’m going to be laser cutting or hand cutting the pieces.
    Thanks in advance

    Reply ↓
  67. Tore

    Hi Theo,
    I am in the process of building my 737 home cockpit using the best DIY pieces already invented. I really like your 737 TQ, and would really appreciate the PDF drawings if you still want to share.
    Thank you very much in advance!

    Reply ↓
  74. Resul

    Hi Theo,
    So beautiful. I was inspired while watching you. I want to try it this way. Can you send me Cad Drawings or PDF files?
    Thank you so much.
    Ankara / Turkey

    Reply ↓
      1. Resul

        Hi Theo,
        I am starting to work with great excitement. I will try to do this first. Thank you very much for your help. Good bye…

        Reply ↓
  76. Mick Dewhurst

    Hi Theo

    I’m looking forward to beginning work on my throttle quadrant. Please could you send me the CAD and PDF Drawings?

    Many Thanks

    Great work

    Regards

    Mick

    Reply ↓
  77. Matthew

    really compliments beautiful job, I admire you very much for what you have been able to build, I can ask you for the technical drawings, I am also trying my hand at building a home cockpit

    Reply ↓
  79. Neil Holloway

    Hi Theo,

    Please can I trouble you for the CAD drawing(s) for the wood?

    Best wishes and thanks in advance.

    Neil

    Reply ↓
  80. Stephan Kalis

    Hi Theo,

    If not too much of an issue for you, could i please also get all necessary drawings in order for me to have a go at building it?

    Very much appreciated in advance!

    Cheers and best regards,
    Stephan

    Reply ↓
  81. Nirrengarten Etienne

    Hi Theo!

    Great job , congratulations!

    I am starting to build a cockpit.
    I have seen your quadrant . Whoa !

    Is it possible to send me the CAD drawings for the woodworks?
    I will try to laser-cut the parts and build my own one…

    Thanks,
    Etienne , France

    Reply ↓
  82. Miloslav Lnenicek

    Hey Theo excellent job. Can i ask you please for the cnc drawings for cutting?It is awesome.
    Thank you.
    Miloslav from Czech Republic

    Reply ↓
  83. Alperen

    Hi Theo,

    Congrats, it is very detailed work.
    I will be very pleased if you could share your plans.

    Best regards,

    Alperen

    Reply ↓

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