Hardware & Technical T-Slot Hotas Mounts

Hey All

I was a founder as I wanted to support the game but stopped playing after a few hours as I wanted to let the game mature and flesh out a bit before dedicating too much time and getting frustrated as I knew I would. Now the game seems to be well on track and there seems to be a lot more to do though still very much a work in progress I thought I might stick my oar back in the water.

I wanted to start as I mean to continue so bought an X55 for £119 and an X56 for my son who wants to play for £116, both great deals thankfully as I am always short on cash as I imagine many of us are. I also want a nice hotas mount for my desk and as I have 3D printer I thought I might be able to print some but it just flexes too much no matter what design I try within reason, I dont want something 50mm thick.

Then while using my 3D Printer I thought about how my printer is made with aluminum extrusion, it's fairly cheap and goes together easy so I started designing some mounts. In the process of the design, I did some web searches to see what other might have done and came across the Monstertech Mounts which were for the most part exactly like mine with a few minor exceptions. I was using a cheap chinese push pull clamp for the clamp and I wasn't using a mounting plate for the hotas but instead was using extrusion in place of the mounting plate. Their design looked nicer with the base plate so I decided to replicate it and I liked the Bessey push pull clamp so incorporated that also though it is a large chunck of change.

I could just buy their Mounts and I would if I could afford to, but I need 4 of them for me and my son which works out to over £400 so it's sweat equity over a fat wallet I am afraid.

It works out to less than £48 each so less than half the price. I also used this as a learning tool and designed base plates for several other Hotas models which I can post DXF files for if anyone is interested in having them laser cut or cutting them themselves. I have them for the Warthog Joy Stick and Throttle, the X 55/56 Joystick and Throttle, The x52 Joystick and Throttle, the T1600M FCS Joystick and TWCS Throttle and the CH Products Joystick and Throttle. I could also do any others if supplied with the mounting hole and L x W dimensions of the base.

x55-x56.PNG

The price list for 4 mounts works out to
PartSupplierCostQTYTotal CostShipping
40x80L Extrusion 250mm http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/acatalog/40x80L-Aluminium-Profile-KJN993130.html£4.724£18.88
40x80L Extrusion 100mm http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/acatalog/40x80L-Aluminium-Profile-KJN993130.html£2.344£9.36
D17 Bolt Connectorhttp://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh001001.cgi?WD=bolt%20d17%20connector&PN=D17-Bolt-Connector-3842535619%2ehtml#SID=12£2.478£19.76
40x80L End Caphttp://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk£1.318£10.48
M5 T Nut (10pk)http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk£3.002£6.0012.49
M5 X 16MM Socket Countersunk Screws 50 Packhttp://www.screwfix.com/p/socket-countersunk-screws-a2-stainless-steel-m5-x-16mm-50-pack/65156£1.891£1.89collection
Aluminium Plate: 5083 'O' - 4.0 mm - 278mmx 184mmhttp://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk£3.704£14.80
Aluminium Plate: 5083 'O' - 4.0 mm - 278mmx 184mmhttp://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk£3.704£14.80
Aluminium Plate: 5083 'O' - 4.0 mm - 100mm x 160m2http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk£1.202£2.4012.49
Bessey Push/Pull Toggle Clamp - STC-IHH/25http://www.mytoolshed.co.uk/p1090345/Bessey_STC_Self-Adjusting_Push_Pull_Toggle_Clamp_16mm/product_info.html?utm_source=googleversafeed&vfsku=1090345&gpla=pla&gclid=Cj0KEQjwuZvIBRD-8Z6B2M2Sy68BEiQAtjYS3Nz8KuE_5e12HU7M_IGdAvfwJ7NLMpxLOUOEERhkJk8aAhb98P8HAQ£18.674£74.68Free
Sub Total£158.25
Shipping24.98
Total24.98£189.90£47.48 Each
 
Sorry to ask a daft question Cmdr, I own a Thrustmaster Warthog Hotas set up - these look identical
To the monstertech mounts.. at this point way out of my price range! Are you actually making these for sale? If so I would love a pair for the Thrustmaster Warthog Hotas. Anyway... it's worth a punt...if a don't ask etc...but if you are...and you could give em a total price for the two mounts (inc p&p) I'd be more than happy to part with a few bob if the price is right - and finally even if you're not selling em.....damn fine work bud...damn fine! o7
 
Sorry to ask a daft question Cmdr, I own a Thrustmaster Warthog Hotas set up - these look identical
To the monstertech mounts.. at this point way out of my price range! Are you actually making these for sale? If so I would love a pair for the Thrustmaster Warthog Hotas. Anyway... it's worth a punt...if a don't ask etc...but if you are...and you could give em a total price for the two mounts (inc p&p) I'd be more than happy to part with a few bob if the price is right - and finally even if you're not selling em.....damn fine work bud...damn fine! o7

Hi and thanks for the kind words.

I wasn't planning on making or selling these, the idea was for a cheaper DIY alternative.

If there was enough interest I could probably be persuaded to supply a DIY kit with all the hardware required to put it together but it would probably have to include a Universal Mounting plate with the mounting holes for all the popular Joysticks/Throttles rather than individual plates for each model to keep the cost down. I will look into the cost including packaging and shipping and if I think it still represents good value I will post something later.
 
Well I have done a quick estimate and I think I could do a complete kit with Water Jet Cut Plates for around £65 each/ £130 a pair plus shipping which for the UK would be around £16 if I could get commitment to 100 mount kits.

I haven't had a proper quote for the cutting so it could be more or less depending on how close I am with my estimate. I am not sure this represents a significant savings over the Monstertech :| which I feel probably have a better finish than I could achieve for the price because it looks like theirs are media blasted though I think the performance would be equivalent.

I could probably do a kit with unfinished plates rough cut to size with paper templates for each hotas setup for £45 but this would require you to finish the edges and drill your own holes. Alternatively I could probably sell just the Water Jet plates and required screws and t-nuts etc for £20 a set (one top plate and one mounting plate) or £40 a pair plus around £8 shipping and you could source your own 40x80 t-slot and clamps.

Would there be any interest in any of these options at these prices?

This is a mock up of the mount with a universal plate, the pros of this plate is you could change your Hotas components without changing plates [up], the cons are that it doesn't look as good IMO [down].

Universal.PNG
 
Hi, my name is Olsen. I am the owner of MONSTERTECH and the original designer of the mounts.

I know that our mounts are not the cheapest but we are putting every effort in to make the best mounts we can and I hope everybody that got our mounts can say that we never cheap out on quality.
If you have the means and time to build a copy of the mounts for yourself, that's of course perfectly fine. To build something with your own two hands is the best. Believe me I am happy that you can save money by making them on your own for yourself and your son.

But please note that we have put a lot of hours, dedication and money in to come to this final design of our table mounts. I would appreciate if you would not sell them.

If you want to contact me, you can reach me via Private Message

Kind regards
Oliver Rasche
 
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Hi Oliver,

To be perfectly honest I really have no desire to sell the mounts but there are many people like me who cannot afford your mounts which, lets face it, cost more than most of the Hotas setups themselves.

After pricing up the costs of the materials including the water cutting of the plates I have come to conclusion that your mounts, while seemingly expensive, are good value for what they are.

I think those that want to put in the effort can make their own for about €50 in materials and a few hours of their time so what I am going to do is make my plans and templates available for those who want to use them.

Regards
MM
 
We are currently working on a less expensive options, especially for cheaper HOTAS systems like the T16000 FCS, while still keeping the same quality standard.

The profit we make on the table mounts is really not big, every bigger company would laugh about that. But we love making them, so it's not an issue.
Also some of the finer details are not visible at first glance: for example we are using a very thin plastic layer, that is specially stenciled for us, under the top plates to protect the table and provide even more grip.

Kind regards
Oliver Rasche
 
MightyMouth that's some great work there. I too would love just just buy from Monstertech but I can't justify that expense right now sadly.

I understand your specs are for 4 mounts, so of course half all quantities for a pair, but why do you list the 5083 plate 278x184 twice totalling 8? Also the smaller plate you list 2, is this for the part that goes above the table and would'nt you need 4?

Also that base plate size is for the x55?

Many thanks!
 
Hi MightyMouth,

Please count me in. I am interested too.

I have been eyeing on MONSTERTECH's table mount for months, but cost of 2 mounts + shipping to Australia is just too prohibitively expensive.
 
I agree that the Monstertech product is expensive, however, I also have to say, as someone that has priced up a "DIY" version (mainly because I need to attach it to chair handles, as I have no desk), the reality is, once you take time into account, meisterolsen is right in that their profit margins would be fairly slim. As a business owner, I also appreciate the additional costs of actually running the company involves that most don't consider.

I'd like to commend you, Oliver, for being incredibly polite, huge kudos to you and your company!

On a side note, the real killer for Monstertech products, on my side of the world, anyway, is shipping. It's a shame that the sim market is so small, as it would actually be an interesting proposition to produce the Monstertech product under license for Oceania, though this would need 50-100 orders to be viable, I suspect, but would have the potential to make everyone happy.

Z...
 
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MightyMouth that's some great work there. I too would love just just buy from Monstertech but I can't justify that expense right now sadly.

I understand your specs are for 4 mounts, so of course half all quantities for a pair, but why do you list the 5083 plate 278x184 twice totalling 8? Also the smaller plate you list 2, is this for the part that goes above the table and would'nt you need 4?

Also that base plate size is for the x55?

Many thanks!

You know I posted that and never noticed, I think this one is accurate for 2 mounts. Yes, the base shown in the image in the first post is for x55 and x56 and the dimensions in the price list are for the same. I have linked below a download for the 3d files in OBJ format for all of the bases I have designed. You should be able to work out from there what dimension you need to order. I can post in other 3d format if necessary. Only the x55/x56 are from actual measurements, the rest are from information taken from manufacturers websites etc so I cannot guarantee the accuracy.

PartSupplierCostQTYTotal CostShipping
40x80L Extrusion 250mm http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/acatalog/40x80L-Aluminium-Profile-KJN993130.html£4.722£9.44Included below
40x80L Extrusion 100mm http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/acatalog/40x80L-Aluminium-Profile-KJN993130.html£2.342£4.68Included below
D17 Bolt Connectorhttp://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh001001.cgi?WD=bolt%20d17%20connector&PN=D17-Bolt-Connector-3842535619%2ehtml#SID=12£2.472£4.94Included below
40x80L End Caphttp://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk£1.312£2.62Included below
M5 T Nut (10pk)http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk£3.001£3.00£12.49
M5 X 16MM Socket Countersunk Screws 50 Packhttp://www.screwfix.com/p/socket-countersunk-screws-a2-stainless-steel-m5-x-16mm-50-pack/65156£1.891£1.89collection
Aluminium Plate: 5083 'O' - 4.0 mm - 278mmx 184mmhttp://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk£3.702£7.40Included below
Aluminium Plate: 5083 'O' - 4.0 mm - 100mm x 160m2http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk£1.202£2.4012.49
Bessey Push/Pull Toggle Clamp - STC-IHH/25http://www.mytoolshed.co.uk/p1090345/Bessey_STC_Self-Adjusting_Push_Pull_Toggle_Clamp_16mm/product_info.html?utm_source=googleversafeed&vfsku=1090345&gpla=pla&gclid=Cj0KEQjwuZvIBRD-8Z6B2M2Sy68BEiQAtjYS3Nz8KuE_5e12HU7M_IGdAvfwJ7NLMpxLOUOEERhkJk8aAhb98P8HAQ£18.672£37.34Free
Sub Total£73.71
Shipping£24.98
£88.45Each£44.23

Link to download OBJ File
 
Having thought about it I think the screws listed above are wrong, I think you need M8 x 12 and M12 x 16 Countersunk screws rather than the M5 screws listed and M8 T-Nuts rather than M5 T-Nuts, they were for an earlier design but I missed them when I updated it.
 
Thank you! Can you please provide the DXF files you mentioned for the X56? I assume these are long enough that the throttle won't hit the mount when pushing it forward?
 
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Hey All

I was a founder as I wanted to support the game but stopped playing after a few hours as I wanted to let the game mature and flesh out a bit before dedicating too much time and getting frustrated as I knew I would. Now the game seems to be well on track and there seems to be a lot more to do though still very much a work in progress I thought I might stick my oar back in the water.

I wanted to start as I mean to continue so bought an X55 for £119 and an X56 for my son who wants to play for £116, both great deals thankfully as I am always short on cash as I imagine many of us are. I also want a nice hotas mount for my desk and as I have 3D printer I thought I might be able to print some but it just flexes too much no matter what design I try within reason, I dont want something 50mm thick.

Then while using my 3D Printer I thought about how my printer is made with aluminum extrusion, it's fairly cheap and goes together easy so I started designing some mounts. In the process of the design, I did some web searches to see what other might have done and came across the Monstertech Mounts which were for the most part exactly like mine with a few minor exceptions. I was using a cheap chinese push pull clamp for the clamp and I wasn't using a mounting plate for the hotas but instead was using extrusion in place of the mounting plate. Their design looked nicer with the base plate so I decided to replicate it and I liked the Bessey push pull clamp so incorporated that also though it is a large chunck of change.

I could just buy their Mounts and I would if I could afford to, but I need 4 of them for me and my son which works out to over £400 so it's sweat equity over a fat wallet I am afraid.

It works out to less than £48 each so less than half the price. I also used this as a learning tool and designed base plates for several other Hotas models which I can post DXF files for if anyone is interested in having them laser cut or cutting them themselves. I have them for the Warthog Joy Stick and Throttle, the X 55/56 Joystick and Throttle, The x52 Joystick and Throttle, the T1600M FCS Joystick and TWCS Throttle and the CH Products Joystick and Throttle. I could also do any others if supplied with the mounting hole and L x W dimensions of the base.

View attachment 120318

The price list for 4 mounts works out to
PartSupplierCostQTYTotal CostShipping
40x80L Extrusion 250mmhttp://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/acatalog/40x80L-Aluminium-Profile-KJN993130.html£4.724£18.88
40x80L Extrusion 100mmhttp://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/acatalog/40x80L-Aluminium-Profile-KJN993130.html£2.344£9.36
D17 Bolt Connectorhttp://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh001001.cgi?WD=bolt d17 connector&PN=D17-Bolt-Connector-3842535619.html#SID=12£2.478£19.76
40x80L End Caphttp://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk£1.318£10.48
M5 T Nut (10pk)http://www.aluminium-profile.co.uk£3.002£6.0012.49
M5 X 16MM Socket Countersunk Screws 50 Packhttp://www.screwfix.com/p/socket-countersunk-screws-a2-stainless-steel-m5-x-16mm-50-pack/65156£1.891£1.89collection
Aluminium Plate: 5083 'O' - 4.0 mm - 278mmx 184mmhttp://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk£3.704£14.80
Aluminium Plate: 5083 'O' - 4.0 mm - 278mmx 184mmhttp://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk£3.704£14.80
Aluminium Plate: 5083 'O' - 4.0 mm - 100mm x 160m2http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk£1.202£2.4012.49
Bessey Push/Pull Toggle Clamp - STC-IHH/25http://www.mytoolshed.co.uk/p109034...e12HU7M_IGdAvfwJ7NLMpxLOUOEERhkJk8aAhb98P8HAQ£18.674£74.68Free
Sub Total£158.25
Shipping24.98
Total24.98£189.90£47.48 Each


Thank you! Can you please provide the DXF files you mentioned for the X56? I assume these are long enough that the throttle won't hit the mount when pushing it forward?
 
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