This device is used to provide detents in throttle quadrants, flap levers etc. The spec for this ball plunger is an 8mm diameter barrel. You can get these in steel and brass but the technopolymer (the ‘KD’ suffix) version is recommended to avoid excessive wear on the printed parts. For full dimensions see the link below to Berger tools and select d1=8 and KD as the material.
The unit price of this part is only £1.03 + p&p from Berger tools. P&P is reasonable but you need a minimum order. I bought 6 of them for a total of £11 making a unit price of £1.80.
£1.80
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You can use the brass ones with a steel ball but I wouldn’t recommend it. Amazon has them and they would fit.
This is used in the Spitfire spade stick to group the wires emerging from the angle bracket and stop them sliding through any further into the body. 2mm or 2.5mm width is fine. They’re likely to be used again.
These things are super cheap and effectively free if you have some already. If not you can’t buy them individually. We’re only using one so far but are likely to use more. So let’s say 20p.
£0.20
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2mm or 2.5mm is fine. In fact 3mm wide will do. Any length as you cut them down.
This device contains liquid silicon which resists movement and so creates a smooth mechanical resistance to the rotation of levers. There are many manufacturers of these dampers and hopefully you will find an equivalent in your region. Check the dimensions on the Wixroyd page to ensure it is an exact match. There are weaker versions of this damper which have damping forces of the order of 100gf.cm but this offers much more substantial resistance.
The unit price of this part is only £2.18 + p&p + tax. However I have yet to find a supplier who is not focussed on businesses and higher volumes, so at present it is rather expensive to source. You need to spend at least £10 and then with small order surcharges and delivery you end up with a bill of just under £30. You can choose not to get this part as it won’t prevent the AuthentiKit device from working – it just won’t feel as good. So far only one of these is used in AuthentiKit controls (P-40B quadrant) but it does add a nice feel so I intend to add it to several devices. As an indicative unit price, let’s say you will use 3 of these over time making a unit price of £10
£10
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Although this damper can usually be ommitted from a control without loss of functionality, it makes a huge difference to the feel of the control. I am trying to find alternatives to the Wixroyd damper as it is so expensive. There is a possibility that the ACE FRT-C2-301-G1 from ACE Controls can be adapted although it isn’t exactly the same. It appears that only the mounting is different.
AuthentiKit designs use this felt strip in throttle quadrants and other places where a lever needs to slide against a plate. The felt adds some friction and keeps the action smooth.
Supplier Links
This Amazon link lists the felt as 0.04″ x 1.96″ which is basically 1mm x 50mm
IMPORTANT: It is important that the felt is just 1mm thick and no thicker. Expect it be to around 1.1mm when measured with calipers including the non-stick backing paper. I have heard that the above product from Amazon can vary and someone found that their felt was 1.3mm which was too much when used in the P40B and caused the levers to stick. In order to have a definitive way of measuring thickness I have made a set of clamps which you can fit over calipers creating a surface area of 20mm x 30mm which can be used to lightly press against the felt. Download the clamp design from this link. This is how it should look when you use them.
Indicative Pricing With Allowance for P&P
You only need small lengths and you should be able to by on eBay by the metre though suppliers come and go. I’ve seen it for around £5/metre inc. postage
£5
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Wider is fine as you cut shapes out of it. You may be happy with grey rather than black though black usually looks best. 1mm thickness is essential.
This tube is great for running up to 3 wires through to provide a more period looking pneumatic/electrical connection instead of revealing multi-coloured wires.
Supplier Links
Some tubes have a matt finish. The shiny finish looks best.
You should be able to get this by the metre. You only need 1 metre.
£7
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It needs to have an external diamater of 6mm and you’ll have problems if the wall diameter is not 1mm – the tube will either kink too much or not have sufficient space inside to run the wires.
This disc provides most of the friction when rotating a small lever such as a flaps lever. Nitrile bonded is preferred as normal cork is prone to squeaking.
Supplier Links
I found a supplier on eBay in the UK. There should be other similar suppliers around the world otherwise purchase some 1.5mm nitrile bonded cork with self adhesive backing and cut out an 18mm disc.
The above supplier sells these at £2.91 for a set of 4, so just under 75p each inc. postage.
£0.75
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Try to avoid normal cork but if its your only option you could try it. A thickness of 2mm is often too much for certain uses so be sure to find 1.5mm thickness.
Nitrile bonded self adhesive cork disc 30mm diameter x 1.5mm thick with an 8mm central hole
Manufacturer: Various
Product ID: Various
This disc provides the friction when rotating a trim wheel or axis lever. This item is identical to ATK604 but has an 8mm diameter hole in the centre thorugh which the rotary encoder fits.
Supplier Links
I found a supplier on eBay in the UK. There should be other similar suppliers around the world otherwise purchase some 1.5mm nitrile bonded cork with self adhesive backing and cut out a 30mm disc.
You’ll need to punch your own 8mm hole or cut it out with tiny scissors.
The above supplier sells these at £3.52 for a set of 4, so just under £1 each inc. postage.
£1
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Try to avoid normal cork but if its your only option you could try it. A thickness of 2mm is often too much for certain uses so be sure to find 1.5mm thickness.
This disc provides most of the friction when rotating a wheel or axis lever. Nitrile bonded is preferred as normal cork is prone to squeaking.
Supplier Links
I found a supplier on eBay in the UK. There should be other similar suppliers around the world otherwise purchase some 1.5mm nitrile bonded cork with self adhesive backing and cut out a 30mm disc.
The above supplier sells these at £3.52 for a set of 4, so just under £1 each inc. postage.
£1
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Try to avoid normal cork but if its your only option you could try it. A thickness of 2mm is often too much for certain uses so be sure to find 1.5mm thickness.
