Yo Def's Sim Build (Finished)

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MuchoJimbo

MuchoJimbo

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MuchoJimbo
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Yo Def
Since one of the things I love more than sim racing is seeing other people's builds, I decided to share my build as I go. Earlier this week, I started working on my custom sim racing set-up. I wanted to work on my welding and figured some good practicing would be to build a set-up. So far it is coming along great. Thought I'd share as I progress and maybe someone might have some input, either something I may not have thought of or something that may make it better. Hope you enjoy. I did order a Fanatec shifter set, that I will build into once I receive and see how it can be implemented.

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Prefer the round tubing look and being able to bend it with minimal welds.

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Grinding to allow for no seams when the two halves are welded.

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Here's the base with the two halves as a whole.

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Figuring how to angle the seat brace.

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With seat mounted, not yet in place.

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Now with the wheel support.

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Different angle.

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Front view.

That's all for now. Will update as more progress is made.
 
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Good progress so far. There are a few tips I have for you.
1-Have someone assist with measurements for mocking up locations of everything and remove the seat, and keep it in a different room or covered in the workplace. I had so many little things I damaged on the seat from it being near or on the rig during the fabrication process. Don't use the seat from the other side as some auto manufacturers have unique rails for each side. Another option would be to have 2 of the exact make / model / side and keep 1 somewhere far away and clean.
2-Make sure it's still easy to remove the seat when complete as that will help tremendously for moving
3-Finish everything in the shop before you set it up to play (have a WIP Demo night but don't set it in it's permanent spot). It's very hard to go back and finish it once you've seen you can use it and apply a few band aid solutions. They will stick out like a sore thumb on your rig.
4-Have a WIP demo night. I had a bunch over and said to them, "I mostly know what's good about it, I'm trying to find what's bad, so keep the positive comments to the end and really cut my rig up". It helped find a few issues.

Keep posting the pics, looking good so far.
 
Thanks VW, good advice. The seat is removable so that will not be an issue. Once the seat is off, its not too heavy. Since this is a prototype, so to speak, I will have all add-ons set up in the garage before I move it to my house. That is when I will give it the ''beta'' test since my dad's is across town and easy to transport.

Currently the seat is out of a Mercury Mariner, one I got for free, new but eventually I will build another to fit around an actual racing seat, still shopping around for one. Thanks again!
 
Just a few updates. Been busy with school and a few snow storms so the build is going slower than expected.

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Starting on the shifter mount.

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Another angle with chopsticks cut.

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Toying around with the idea for a TV/Monitor mount.

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Side view.
 
Hey Jim, that's looking awesome. Round tubing definitely looks better then square tubing. I would make the shifter mount universal if you can. You might want to try another one done the road, say if you race PC at all.
 
left888
Hey Jim, that's looking awesome. Round tubing definitely looks better then square tubing. I would make the shifter mount universal if you can. You might want to try another one done the road, say if you race PC at all.
Click to expand...
Thanks left. Yeah, a few options I want to keep universal is the mount for the TV/Monitor and shifter, a long with wheel and pedal adjustability.

Unfortunately I am only familiar with the Fanatec shifters as I am only console based, but after this prototype I can then look into how the other devices on the market are mountable and work on the designs for future builds. One thing is for sure, I have had a blast making this and am excited for future builds.

I should finish the welds tomorrow and once I can find some cheap mesh diamond metal (same design on the CSR vents) I will start my painting..should be finished shortly.

Pretty much done.
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The monitor is only a 22'' as this is the one I currently use, mount for TV is removable and can mount up to a 47'' TV.
 
Finally finished. The weight without seat, wheel pedals etc is approx. 70lbs. Much lighter than I imagined.

Incredibly sturdy, I can stand on the wheel mount, I weigh 200lbs. It was fun designing it. It's simple but looks good in a room. We are building another one and I am ticked I didn't think of it for this one but we will allow for wires to run through the tube for a much cleaner look. Enjoy!
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Primer.
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First coat of Black.
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Painting the insert.
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Seeing how the insert would look.
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In my gameroom.
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Front View
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You can see why I rather run the wires through the tube, but this works too!
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Another Front View
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The wheel and pedal plates are adjustable.
 
Really nice build, and nice seing everything come together ;)
I hope I will do my first own build also in the foreseeable future.
Thanks for sharing:tup:
 
Way to go - excellent job.
it is a blast when we can say we built it ourselves.
 
Thanks guys. Yeah, building it yourself and having it turn out better than you first thought is definitely an amazing feeling.

It sucks though because even though I am done and have it set up to play/race, part of me still would rather be building it than using it?
 
Looks really nice mate. A couple of huskys on the front and your sorted lol.
 
Updated Rig with added Roll Cage. Really adds to the immersion sitting in it. A few adjustments are needed for the wheel mount and TV mount. Left side of roll cage swings open to allow easy access. This thing is definitely a stationary cockpit. Building this one for a friend who races Funny cars. Might have to update mine after this is finished.

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