Community Event / Creation The C-Pod: A DIY Command seat (build log)

[ThereIs0nly0ne]

I've re-sized and refitted the padding on the primary seat panel and cut the piece which will provide a degree of 'bucket-seatness'. I will cover this in firm foam which will be my next task. Hopefully it will work out.

Bucket seat piece:



Chamfered to facilitate easier foam application:



Location of section with re-sized main panel:

 

[ThereIs0nly0ne]

Ive completed the rounded piece and am very please with how it turned out. I used double sited tape to ensure that the foam stayed in place throughout the covering process. This whole piece will sit on a platform to raise it and accentuate the effect.

Firm foam stuck to the shaped piece with the initial loose stapling done. The white strip is double sided tape waiting to have the backing paper removed:



In-place (above):



In-place (side):



In-place (front):

 

[Winterwalker]

It's difficult to comment .. on a quality of build .. we're coming to expect =D

edit: actually, no it's not .. great job!!

 

[ThereIs0nly0ne]

It's difficult to comment .. on a quality of build .. we're coming to expect =D

edit: actually, no it's not .. great job!!

Thanks Winterwalker, I appreciate the on-going feedback, it really helps to motivate

I've re-cut and re-covered the front pads. After sitting in the seat for a bit, it seems the rounded section is at about the correct height so I wont be adjusting that any further. I've created a couple of risers for the front pads but they're still a little low. I need to add some 6mm sheet to get them to sit flush. The centre console section is just rammed in at the moment, it's a very tight squeeze.







I may need to re-size the centre console section ...

Edit: I'm done for the weekend. Feedback, comments etc always welcome.

 

[Snakebite]

Of course for those who don't have the time or skills to build their own, then there is always the kit option.
http://elitegaming.org.uk/shop/GameCab/GameCab_Accessories/Elite-Dangerous-Cockpit-Set

 

[pigfumbler]

Thanks Winterwalker, I appreciate the on-going feedback, it really helps to motivate

I've re-cut and re-covered the front pads. After sitting in the seat for a bit, it seems the rounded section is at about the correct height so I wont be adjusting that any further. I've created a couple of risers for the front pads but they're still a little low. I need to add some 6mm sheet to get them to sit flush. The centre console section is just rammed in at the moment, it's a very tight squeeze.







I may need to re-size the centre console section ...

Edit: I'm done for the weekend. Feedback, comments etc always welcome.

Looking good, sir! That centre section is a great fit, IMO. Will the centre up section just be a slot in or a fixed piece? Also if your going for a Tablet Roccat system will the tablet be powered in situ or charged when removed? Casting for ideas as you can guess

 

[Snakebite]

The C-pod seat looks terrific, what type of foam are you using to pad it ?

 

[ThereIs0nly0ne]

Looking good, sir! That centre section is a great fit, IMO. Will the centre up section just be a slot in or a fixed piece? Also if your going for a Tablet Roccat system will the tablet be powered in situ or charged when removed? Casting for ideas as you can guess

Thanks pigfumbler. The centre 'pole' will be movable so it doesn't get in the way when getting in and out of the seat. I'm figuring out how best to keep it in position - there's some magnetic latches which may do the trick. I posted a picture earlier but here it is again:



I may change the shape of this and run some different cabling up to the mount point where the tablet or other controls attach.

The C-pod seat looks terrific, what type of foam are you using to pad it ?

Thanks Snakebite. I've used 2 different types of foam. Very firm material from a thick exercise mat for most of the sections with only the main seat panel having this and also 25mm firm upholstery foam fitted. The latter isn't that firm tbh but is comfortable in this configuration.

 

[Winterwalker]

Perhaps (don't) the C-Pod could have a name change ...
to the C-Elite Dangerous-Pod (Mostly Harmless) or something ...
to help with marketing
(as I say .. don't!)

Spoiler

Of course for those who don't have the time or skills to build their own, then there is always the kit option.
http://elitegaming.org.uk/shop/GameCab/GameCab_Accessories/Elite-Dangerous-Cockpit-Set
View attachment 1640

C-Pod / Svadlifie / Ven's / the Pigfumber, are all destined to be prettier imho ...

Perhaps I should rename to Frontier Enterprises Commander Tags ;p ;p ba-ha-ha
(and if DBOBE feels like ordering one .. he can have it for nothing )

 

[Enride]

Love what you did with the front tioo, and with the center stand one can start getting an idea of how it will look
Great work!

 

[Olthepol]

Extremely impressive work, your projects rival and in some cases better what's commercially available. Blown away by the design work you've done and the finished past set-ups. Keep up the good work.

Oli

 

[Armante]

Of course for those who don't have the time or skills to build their own, then there is always the kit option.
http://elitegaming.org.uk/shop/GameCab/GameCab_Accessories/Elite-Dangerous-Cockpit-Set
View attachment 1640

My god that thing's ugly. The C-Pod looks much better!

 

[ThereIs0nly0ne]

I guess the EliteGaming GameCab is functional and relatively cheap but it sure does look like a seat fitted between some boxes! Not my cup of tea particularly but I couldn't argue with anyone wanting a simpler setup at what looks like a very reasonable price. I'm sure it could be modified quite easily to make it look muck better if required.

Name-wise, I have to think of something fairly short, snappy and space-agey. I think I'll be plumping for 'CP-1' (Command Pod 1), not that there will be a MkII or anything I'm thinking of how effective N7 was for Mass Effect.

Thanks very much for the positive comments Winterwalker, Enride, Olthepol and Armante. As always, it's very much appreciated

 

[Voyager_NL]

I guess the EliteGaming GameCab is functional and relatively cheap but it sure does look like a seat fitted between some boxes! Not my cup of tea particularly but I couldn't argue with anyone wanting a simpler setup at what looks like a very reasonable price. I'm sure it could be modified quite easily to make it look muck better if required.

Name-wise, I have to think of something fairly short, snappy and space-agey. I think I'll be plumping for 'CP-1' (Command Pod 1), not that there will be a MkII or anything I'm thinking of how effective N7 was for Mass Effect.

Thanks very much for the positive comments Winterwalker, Enride, Olthepol and Armante. As always, it's very much appreciated

You could call it a MK-III then. There's only one obvious and fitting reference. No mistakes!
Owh.. love your work! I've been a general lurker to this thread for a while now. Really awesome work man!

 

[ThereIs0nly0ne]

You could call it a MK-III then. There's only one obvious and fitting reference. No mistakes!
Owh.. love your work! I've been a general lurker to this thread for a while now. Really awesome work man!

Hmmm ... MK-III ... there's a thought. Now I have to build 2 more iterations of this ... my wife would kill me at this stage methinks. Interesting tie-in to consider and thanks for the feedback Voyager

 

[Enride]

My god that thing's ugly. The C-Pod looks much better!

I dunno….I kinda like it

 

[ThereIs0nly0ne]

Just looking around at materials. This perforated aluminium sheet looks nice and would look good with some coloured vinyl underneath. Shame it's not black though:



As do these LEDs with a bezel. Might look to include a few of these:

 

[pigfumbler]

Just looking around at materials. This perforated aluminium sheet looks nice and would look good with some coloured vinyl underneath. Shame it's not black though:



As do these LEDs with a bezel. Might look to include a few of these:

Those look nice, looking forward to see what you do with them. Thanks for the reply about the centre pole attachment, I'd seen the picture but must have missed the magnetic mention. Shall wear my glasses a bit more when reading

 

[ThereIs0nly0ne]

Those look nice, looking forward to see what you do with them. Thanks for the reply about the centre pole attachment, I'd seen the picture but must have missed the magnetic mention. Shall wear my glasses a bit more when reading

No problem pigfumbler.

I just ordered 10 of the 3mm red LEDs. This is one of the locations I'm considering:



I'll use a line of 3 LEDs on the downward sloping face of the side pods. I'll probably separate by about 5 cm or so but will experiment to determine the best look.

 

[Bounty]

Can't wait to see this finished