F1 Rim Mod WIP

  • Thread starter TheORDL
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Hi all,

Thought I would share my progress with an F1 Wheel Mod.

The wheel is having a Sim Display F1 unit, rotary's, new push buttons etc and a complete real carbon skin.

So here is the progress so far:


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Got a couple of little parts to sort out, its my first time using carbon fibre:

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Now its ready for the little repairs to be made, another couple of coats, sanding and a polish before moving on to the front panel. Im waiting for the display unit to arrive so I can mod the front before skinning.

Heres what I am aiming for:

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A long way to go yet, I have decals sorted, just a few other bits to source still.

Any advice, comments etc appreciated.

More soon!
 
Decided not to remove the grips in the end.

Without vac bagging the rim in places looks pretty bad so buying another and having it dipped instead. In some respects I wish I had done that to begin with.

For simple shapes, carbons pretty easy to apply but for this, the finish wont be as good as I want.

Il get a new rim ordered, just waiting for a few companies to get back to me with quotes.

Pics soon of the revised rim.
 
Hey guys,

Im waiting to get quotes back for the carbon dip so I have been working on button config and would like to know your thoughts on the following. This set up is based for use on iracing:

Front:
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Ok guys a bit more done here.

I ordered a new rim since without vac bagging the rim was not going to look as good as hoped. I have stripped the new rim and started work on the front panel ready for it to be sent away.

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Used Milliput black to seal around the enclosure and I will be using the resin I have left from the carbon fibre to fill any small gaps and add some rigidity to it.

More soon!
 
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Hi Mayaman,

Its something I could look at Mayaman. I dont know if you have realised but its me you where discussing the Porsche Aluminium rig with for the interior.

Dont know how to PM on here since the overhaul but drop me a message via email at www.kbaluminiumprofile.co.uk contact us page and I will chat to you from there.
 
No worries, I have been on hold because of a string of bad luck, I was in the hospital for a while and then after purchasing my home, my contractor had a heart attack, and work was in the crapper. But now I'm bouncing back.

I have put the cockpit idea on ice right now as the screen I was originally going to use from Northern Flight Sims has been discontinued, and we're trying to design something new. I still want an F1 wheel like yours, so lets work something out. :)

thanks
 
I think I saw in your thread actually about a few issues you were having. Im pleased your getting sorted fella.

No problem, ping me an email with what your looking for and keep an eye here to see how mine progresses to ensure your happy bud.

If all goes well I may look at modding rims on the side, it goes hand in hand with the rigs and its something I enjoy doing. I have contacts for most parts now and the dipping so if there is enough interest I will figure out a retail price for the future maybe.
 
First layer of resin on this morning to fill any small voids and to take out the indentation from where the original Thrustmaster logo was. 12 hours, a sand then another coat to come.

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So I gave the first coat of resin 24 hours to go off and have now given it a quick sand. The indentations are filling nicely so I should have a smooth finish once another coat is applied and sanded back.

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Hopefully after the second coat and a sand it should start to look like it was meant to be there from the beginning and not an aftermarket modification. The rim should be going away for dipping by the end of the month so I must make sure that everything is nice and flat otherwise it will show through after the carbon dip.

Also decided that that PCB from the original will not be used at all and the DIN connector modified for use with the sim display unit. I will have to open up the base to get to the wiring but will result in a nice clean finish with no external wiring harness.

So I now have 2 original PCBs up for grabs if anyone needs them.
 
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Explain to a noob about what you mean by dipping. Are you planning on dipping it to make a mold out of to reproduce it using a thermaform or vaccum bag resin process?
 
Explain to a noob about what you mean by dipping. Are you planning on dipping it to make a mold out of to reproduce it using a thermaform or vaccum bag resin process?

The original plan was to see if I could skin the rim with real carbon fibre. Without vacuum bagging or using some sort of process, getting the carbon to sit right was proving too difficult. I looked at prices to have this skinned professionally and, for the cost, I could not justify it unfortunately.

So now I have decided to have it dipped, dipping, also known at hydrographics is a great way of achieving a good finish and certainly better than using Di-Noc film and having creases/rips etc that can sometimes happen.

A great example of dipping can be found here:

#

or:



So im now at the point where I am waiting for some perspex to arrive for the front panel. The front sides where the buttons sit will be raised allowing for a closer replica of the real wheel with the indentation more pronounced around the toggle switches.

I have been struggling to find some of the components used such as the double flush LED holder and the toggle switches in black for the rear.

Also missing black key-way nuts, seems these are hard to find also which I thinks a bit strange unless I am looking for the wrong item.

More soon, hope that helped a bit :)
 
Wow at both, this looks like its going to be an awesome rim. Love the blending on the display great job.

Thanks bud, long way to go yet. Hoping the perspex will be here tomorrow then things will start coming together. Looks like I will be sourcing buttons from Leo Bodnars so ordering those soon.
 
Looking forward to see the final result. It will be an awesome F1 wheel.

Thanks for posting the "dip video". I watched the full 14 minutes and was totally amazed :bowdown:

This is definately stuff to think about. Just wondering how hard it is DIY :confused:
I'm already thinking about building a new dashboard and "dipping" it. 👍
 
Looking forward to see the final result. It will be an awesome F1 wheel.

Thanks for posting the "dip video". I watched the full 14 minutes and was totally amazed :bowdown:

This is definately stuff to think about. Just wondering how hard it is DIY :confused:
I'm already thinking about building a new dashboard and "dipping" it. 👍

No problem, I think it certainly explains things better!

I dont think its too hard for someone with DIY skills but for the cost of the kit vs getting it sent away its a no brainer for me.

Further to that, if there is interest in these been produced like for @Mayaman I have already had a word with my contact and its something they would be keen on working with me on.

Cant wait to get this prepped and sent away, really looking forward to seeing the results now!

Oh, and just for you regarding the dash dip to give you an idea:

 
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awesome man, i already have a thrustmaster f1, can I sent it to you? Can you PM me the cost? there was another guy in spain who also does this :)
 
Dang, this just keeps getting better and better! 👍 👍
Thanks for taking the time to share with community. :)

Thanks mate, that's part of the joy - sharing. I bet we can all say that we have lost hour upon hour admiring other peoples work and its a pleasure to share the progress with this.

awesome man, i already have a thrustmaster f1, can I sent it to you? Can you PM me the cost? there was another guy in spain who also does this :)

I can do it certainly, time scale - unknown. I haven't got a clue how to PM on here, if you let me know how that would be great. I will send you a list of the parts required so far.
 
OK, further to above.... I have a couple of people asking about these now and I have figured out how to PM.

From here I think it should be worked like this:

I will complete my mod and keep posting here for all to see the progress and how I go about the mods.

I know @Mayaman is really keen to get his rim done (that does NOT sound good :)! ) so I will certainly go ahead with his for him if he wants to proceed.

I have no idea of full cost yet, hell these are not going to be cheap with a dip and full mod so I will draw up a spreadsheet of full costs. I am still sourcing parts as I go along with mine and I dont want to give any prices and they be way off the mark at this point.

If there is enough interest after my initial wheel is complete then I will start on Mayamans and then look to taking orders, similar to what others do and look at maybe batches of 5 at a time to try and get costs down a bit.

Now, my wheel will use the existing connector in the wheel, the original circuit board is removed and I will be using the internal wiring on the T500RS Base to then connect via USB to PC. This keeps everything nice and clean. I am toying with a Quick Release but at this stage I am holding back as the Lifeline Electric models are not cheap either.

As soon as I have more info on this I will post here and on my aluminium profile website, www.kbaluminiumprofile.co.uk. If all is well I will be able to take orders via the website (redesign of website on the way soon also)

Hope that helps.

Kris
 
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