My Alternate wheel.

[PAWEL17]

I recently got a g27 wheel, and my old setup for the DFP was getting old, and didn't match my g27.
After reading numerous posts, the bulk of cockpits were big, sturdy, heavy and ugly designs, and in my small apartment, i need something light, and can pack away when not in use.
Hence i decided to do some research, and found two materials that inspired my design.

What i will need, 6.8 meters(no imperial system!!) of 24.5 x 24.5 x 1.2 mm Aluminium, 13 L joint PP(i think) joints, and 8 T joints.

The plastic joints, just fit inside the AI, very tightly. and after some tests, it was surprisingly very sturdy.

the tools i will need.....um...a hacksaw...or radial arm saw(workshop), a drill for the holes, and one man.

The estimated cost is $89(AUD)
The cockpit not only looks good, but is very light, and sturdy.
I want this to appeal, to those people, who are lookong for something easy to build.

Here are some picks from my CAD model. It should take me roughly an hour to cut the sizes, and roughly 10 minutes to assemble.

the black parts are the joints.

*if the images are not working
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68626408@N06/6240957520/in/photostream/

**Inspiration
http://www.connect-it.cc/index.htm

 

[PAWEL17]

First study iteration.

 

[W3H5]

That looks really good for a low budget frame. Could you not have saved more money by using PVC tubing? Maybe it's not strong enough thinking about it.

 

[PAWEL17]

That looks really good for a low budget frame. Could you not have saved more money by using PVC tubing? Maybe it's not strong enough thinking about it.

Cost, probably would, but this looks way nicer, matches the G27. It is probably alot more solid too.

 

[PAWEL17]

My second iteration, i re-enforced the Pedals, they are now solid, as well as the frame for the wheel.

The shifter still needs work, i ran out of budget, so i had to use off cuts.

The Chair is a recycled office chair, it is not as heavy as a car seat.

I have also incorporated a lock mechanism, using nuts and bolts, so i can then attach it, and remove it for storage.

No welding required, just a hammer and a drill.

 

[n10secapricorn]

Sweet! I like it. I have a G27 as well, and I may do something like what you did. If I decide to upgrade my equipment, I'll have to fabricate the required replacement pieces.

 

[Timppaq]

Looks nice indeed, the aluminium surely has it's benefits 👍 Low weight and easy manufacturing especially.

Never actually seen those plastic joints, where did you get them?

 

[PAWEL17]

Looks nice indeed, the aluminium surely has it's benefits 👍 Low weight and easy manufacturing especially.

Never actually seen those plastic joints, where did you get them?

Hardware store, they are designed especially for those aluminium(standard) extrusions.

 

[SGETI]

looks great . Santa just delivered my G27 and i am also in the same position, i need a new rig for the wheel.
I noticed in your flicker photos. the frames for the wheel is not square, yet more of an angle. Which one have you ended up with? and why.

Also you show a piece of MDF or plywood for the base. Why? Does it help keep the wheel steady? Is it attached?

I really like how you have attached and are able to detach from the chair .

This is by far the best i have seen and really would like some answers so i can get started.

Now that you have used it for a couple of months is there any thing you would change.

Eagerly awaiting your response.

 

[PAWEL17]

looks great . Santa just delivered my G27 and i am also in the same position, i need a new rig for the wheel.
I noticed in your flicker photos. the frames for the wheel is not square, yet more of an angle. Which one have you ended up with? and why.

Also you show a piece of MDF or plywood for the base. Why? Does it help keep the wheel steady? Is it attached?

I really like how you have attached and are able to detach from the chair .

This is by far the best i have seen and really would like some answers so i can get started.

Now that you have used it for a couple of months is there any thing you would change.

Eagerly awaiting your response.

Well, i put my inspiration up, which is the exact material i used. They should be at a local hardware store, mainly used for creating shelving units, or stands. Too be honest, you don't have to cut anything, i just got some standard sizes 450mm and 600mm tubes and connected them.
The brackets are the same deal, 600mm in length. **but you can save money by buying in larger lenghts and cutting the sizes yourself(if you have the tools)

The reason i used an MDF base, was to protect the carpet, i would have my heels rubbing against it, which actually damaged the carpet.

It should be square, as all sizes are the same. I have since improved and modified it. And added an aluminium base. However that base is half the cost of it, so getting mdf cut would be better.

The wheel itslef is really sturdy, but the wheel obvioulsy can move slightly up and down, so attaching a base, before attaching the wheel is better.

I have made a lot of changes over the months, and i am almost satisfied with it, my biggest beef is the seating, i need something to support my legs a bit more.

 

[left888]

Cool setup Pawel

 

[SGETI]

greatly appreciate the response. Now if i can only get out from behind the wheel and start building. Just one more race. HAHa.

 

[PAWEL17]

Using the product from the website below,
http://www.rcr.com.au/metalmate/connect-it-component/

I was able to fashion up this setup, Improved greatly to what i had several months ago, a lot more sturdy.

The MDF board on top is there to be able to put a TV and PC or console on top.

The seat i was able to scavenge from a scrap yard.

The chair wasn't even, so i had to come up with something on the spot, i still need to find a better way to do this.

The images above show the seat can be disconnected from the wheel, to store it away, which it has been since last year.

The gears shift base was re-enforced because it was very loose in the previous version.

The slotted steel angles reach out on each side, because they came in that exact size, and i wasn't bothered trying to trim them down. It's solid as a rock.

The cable for the pedals goes underneath, so i had to cut a slot.

As you can see it comes out the other side.

The joints fit very snug with the aluminium, and with over hundreds, maybe even thousands, they haven't disconnected.

It works out cheaper then most stands, that's excluding the seat, but it's incredibly sturdy, and does the job very well.

 

[JogoAsobi]

Lookin' good PAWEL! 👍 👍
I really like the way you have the seat detach too.
The tubing and joints look similar to 80/20's Holey Tubing.

 

[PAWEL17]

Lookin' good PAWEL! 👍 👍
I really like the way you have the seat detach too.
The tubing and joints look similar to 80/20's Holey Tubing.

Cheers, without welding equipment, i wanted something lightweight to store away.
I looked up the 80/20 hole tubing system, and it looks a lot better then then the system i used, unfortunately i didn't see those in any hardware store i visited.

 

[Clevohead]

If you are an aussie why is your shifter on the wrong side?

 

[Rallywagon]

No, no. it's on the ' right' side.
This rig is outstanding. The first iteration looks almost exactly like the wood rig I currently use. A PVC rig is in the works now though since I have some space now. Great job fella, now you just need to add a few large bolts and so up some tactile feedback.

 

[CBH]

If you are an Aussie the shifter is on the left.

 

[Rallywagon]

Errr. I know sarcasm doesn't always translate well on the internet, but I thought that one was set up well enough.

 

[PAWEL17]

If you are an aussie why is your shifter on the wrong side?

Well, to be quite honest, i was never taught to drive manual in Australia, my parents always drove an automatic, shocking as it sounds. So when i was building it, i never thought about it, just that i was right handed, and thought it would be more comfortable. quite silly i know, but the only manual driving i have done is in video games, a few drives with relatives in Europe.

I can just as easily undo two screws, take it apart and re-arrange it.

This rig is outstanding. The first iteration looks almost exactly like the wood rig I currently use. A PVC rig is in the works now though since I have some space now. Great job fella, now you just need to add a few large bolts and so up some tactile feedback.

and thanks Rallywagon, good luck with your build.

 

[Clevohead]

Don't pull it apart on my count, I was just curious as to your logic for shifter placement, and your explanation is fair enough