Thrustmaster HOTAS X T.FLIGHT extension with or without buttons

EDIT 3/7/0: User icase81 made some different custom top plates and provided them to be included.

EDIT 5/28/19: With permission from the Fuel Rats I've included their logo in the free lid designs.

EDIT 5/22/19:

1. Due to popular request via Reddit, I will be creating a price list for a few package options and sell some prints, kits, or complete HOTAS setups soon.
2. Thanks to Reddit user morgvom_org for letting me use their excellent Bacon Hub logo to embed onto my project here. I have not printed anything with the logo yet. YMMV on the smaller details. Adding the logo to the basic button plate reduced the small holes by 1. And of course adding it to the large blank plate affects nothing. So if you just want a big extension with a cool top plate..easy.

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/brmtsc/made_a_bacon_hub_logo_since_its_my_favourite/

EDIT 5/20/19: Just updated the lid and the main body. And added the cord plug/grommet. This is now what I consider a functional state. Go forth and print! Anyone who downloaded prior to this update, I recommend you grab the latest files. The picture is my Diamondback Explorer from Elite Dangerous..for the color matching.

EDIT 5/17/19: Some pretty big changes were made, now on version 8 of the design. Large holes will fit up to 13mm switches or buttons, the small will go up to 6.5mm. You may also be wondering why there is a moderate empty area in the lower center. That's due to the table clamping mechanic idea. It limits the depth of mountable switches to 15-18mm, thus I chose to exclude holes there. Instead I may put in some sort of logo/design. Anyhow it should be fully functional and dimensionally usable at this point. For anyone who downloaded earlier than v8, those parts are NOT compatible with v8+.

After seeing the design by tmanning47 and aixelsyd I decided to merge them and take it a step further. This isn't exactly a remix as I used their designs as inspiration, but completely modeled from scratch, but credit where it is due for the idea. I like to play Elite Dangerous on the couch in VR, but using the HOTAS is either unstable when separated and sitting on either side of me on the cushions or connected on my lap the controls are too close together. In either case it becomes uncomfortable after a while. So I liked the idea of separating them a bit and still keeping it on my lap for stability.

And of course I wanted to add extra button functionality. My bindings currently cover nearly everything I need without taking hands off the stick or throttle, but it would be nice to have a few extra buttons once in a while. Or if you just prefer the more tactile approach or look of cool buttons. Because I couldn't settle quickly on a layout, I decided to make a blank top plate along with button layout options.

As described in tmanning47's design, you could use Arduino to add the extra buttons, you could also use a Leo Bodnar board (my favorite option), or some other of your own choosing.

Leo Bodnar USB board

The top plate is meant to be mounted with ~ 3mm or 4-40 screws with pan, round or button head keeping with the aesthetics of the mount ring around the stick.

I debated on making them countersunk, but decided against it due to the aesthetic change. I may still make a top plate version with that option later, idk.

Button plate, a layout including two top center spots for the standard flip top guarded toggle switches, some 1/2" or 12mm toggles/buttons and some smaller 1/4" or 6mm buttons at the bottom. Further layout options may come later.

Base housing v1, generally finished up connecting features, but haven't printed or test fit to actual HOTAS X yet. Print at your own risk! I've added a few features trying to make it easier to print. The female connector portion has the correct holes to accept the stick side screws, but they're covered by a 0.4mm sacrificial layer so less support is required. Simply drill or cut through that layer to expose the holes.

Some have expressed interest in tipping me, but did not want to go through the Thingiverse system, so.. https://paypal.me/nightshadeprototypes

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Prusa

Printer:

Mk2.5s

Rafts:

No

Supports:

Yes

Resolution:

0.2

Infill:

10%

Filament: SeeMeCNC and Polyalchemy Elixer PLA

Transparent Green & Metallic Silver

Notes:

Roughly 2.3hrs print time for the button plate. 10hrs for the base.

3 walls/shells

10% infill

Minimal supports

214C/58C for both filaments