DIY Plans for a Race Simulator Cockpit?

[Duke]

I'm motivated to build my own Race Simulator Cockpit as I have enough old parts to make a dedicated rig & really want to get back into GPL of all things.

Anyway I was wondering if there are any free "DIY" build plans with templates around the net or in A.R.S.E members possession?
I did find this but the plans are not free although it is the style of cockpit I want to try build given it has open sides along with its own monitor mount as part of the cockpit (no need for a separate table / bench). It also houses the PC box, KB & Mouse devices which is preferable to me. http://www.ricmotech.com/RS1_DIY_Cockpi ... s1-diy.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I've also heard that Hyper Stimulator plans maybe floating around but can't find anything & nothing on their website officially, although its style of an enclosed cockpit doesn't entice me as much.

Lastly I would also like to know where one would get a racing style (simulator) seat for a cockpit these days & how much would one expect to pay?

Any help & advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

[KNAPPO]

Lastly I would also like to know where one would get a racing style (simulator) seat for a cockpit these days & how much would one expect to pay?

Check out eBay for sports seats ect, at a quick look you can get a pair for anywhere between $180 & $500+. Guess you could make the 2nd seat into a computer chair.

Ill ask my mate MADCAP for the link he showed me a while back with some great seats (bucket and recliner) that are going for decent prices, think they were shipping form Asia. I was using an old Ford Laser car seat that I found in our shed (had to replace one in mums car over 8 years ago and the wrecker only sold them in pairs) I just cut the rails off and mounted it to a custom made base and its been going strong for years, just whacked a black seat cover on it as it was brown. Its now used as my computers main chair now I have a Obutto r3volution for my rig.


There are a few of these DIY rigs on InsideSimRacing's review page.
A lot of the additional links can be found in the actual articles.

SimFix SR-1 Sim Racing Rig
[youtube] [/youtube]

DIY Ricmotech RS1 Sim Racing Rig Build
[youtube] [/youtube]

Ricmotech RS-1 Sim Racing Rig Review
[youtube] [/youtube]

DIY PVC Sim Racing Rig For Under $200
[youtube] [/youtube]

Review of the DIY PVC Sim Racing Rig
[youtube] [/youtube]

DIY Simrig for under $100
[youtube] [/youtube]

[Duke]

Thanks Knappo, yep I discovered the SRT vids after I posted.
I've watched the RS1 build already, the review will be next.
It looks bloody good as I didn't realise you get actual full scale plan drawings & a hard copy manual when you purchase the DIY pack.
I'm going to shoot RICMOTECH some questions via email & if happy with their answers think I'll be doing it.

Anyone here built one if these specifically?

[Duke]

Damn why is postage from the US always so damn expensive?

Just to check I went through the purchase process to discover that Shipping & Handling will be $18.42 for plans that are priced at $29.95.

[Duke]

Damn I just watched the PVC rig build & review, WOW that looks like a great alternative. Lightweight too.
Time to go check out those free plans & this whole 27 page forum ISR thread: http://insidesimracing.tv/forums/topic/ ... s-on-pg-9/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Scottie]

Yeah ISR are becoming a great resource for Sim Racing, lots of good stuff on their site.

[Duke]

If this is a repost I do apologise but holy crap this is unbelievable!!!...

[youtube] [/youtube]

Now get this the Blueprints are free: http://lagnese.me/Hub/Photos/Pages/Simu ... -2012.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He states the cockpit with seat & audio fittings came in under US$1,000, $800 actually.

[Duke]

Oh the other thing I found was a whole series of vids on a build based off the PVC cockpit from ISR, he's an Aussie too.

It has invaluable hints, tips & pitfalls, it starts here:

[youtube] [/youtube]

[NeilPearson]

i Really like that first one, it looks amazing. all the adjust ability. its a shame all the blueprints are in Inches

[Vilante]

i Really like that first one, it looks amazing. all the adjust ability. its a shame all the blueprints are in Inches

There's 2.54cm's in a inch dude, would take you 5 mins to convert all the measurements.

[wabbit]

its a shame all the blueprints are in Inches

Just email them to Vilante, they'll be converted in 5mins

[richo]

its a shame all the blueprints are in Inches

Just email them to Vilante, they'll be converted in 5mins

Hand this man a cigar!

[Vilante]

Send them to Nige, he's all over that sort of thing.

[Duke]

Geesus Neil...

Well I'm serious on building a PVC rig, found these seats & going to look at them tomorrow. He says the Passenger seat is smick, which is all I need for the rig...
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/dandenon ... 1017546503" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Speaking of which has anyone bought using Gumtree before, is there any traps or pitfalls I should know of?
I don't think I can get caught out with these seats as I'll be going to see them before purchasing in cash if I decide to buy.

[KNAPPO]

Send them to Nige, he's all over that sort of thing.

Speaking of which has anyone bought using Gumtree before, is there any traps or pitfalls I should know of?

Never bought off Gumtree but sold thru it twice now. 1st time was a bird and birdcage and the 2nd time was my Lancer with a dead dashboard.
Just inspect them thoroughly and if you happy see if you can get them any cheaper, if not $50 is a decent price for what he is asking. The good thing is you are not trying to install them back into a car so you can build your rig to suit their mounting points, height and seating position ect.

Let the build begin

[Scottie]

Send them to Nige, he's all over that sort of thing.

You may or may not end up with cubed or squared inch measurements.

[matticooper]

language is in Russian, but just watch...

[youtube] [/youtube]

[Vilante]

How good is that?!

[Bauer]

How good is that?!

That is clever

[dvestate]

That is awesome, if the price on there site is in Rubles it's about $1350AUD for one

[Duke]

Well I got the Suzuki Swift Bucket Seats for the $50 as advertised, they were hard to refuse as I have a mate who is going to take the other seat in exchange for PC parts I need to build for this rig.
You should have seen the sellers face when I told him what I wanted them for. Priceless!!!
They were pretty dirty with the passenger side being the best of the two. So I've spent the past 2 days stripping the factory fitted cover so I could clean it thoroughly.
I couldn't believe the amount of crud that came out of it, the lower half turned the washing water a putrid colour.
But I'm real happy with the end result as you can see from these pics.

Front - S.JPG

Right - S.JPG

So next step is to get all the PVC, I am hoping a builder mate will get it for trade prices for me.

[Duke]

So my PVC pipe sim rig build started yesterday with the cutting of the pipe. So only 1 pic so far with this one taken with most of the cutting done which took about 2hrs all up. My kids thought I'd made snow.

Have to say it was pretty hard getting the cuts to the exact measurements. Probably more to do with the equipment I used but I'm not too fussed given I'm not gluing the rig together as after considering all the options I've decided to screw each join (see ref diagram). I decided on this approach for a few reasons but mainly as PVC glue is permanent, any other glue would also make mods & separation of the rig difficult especially if I ever want to store it.
I also think the beauty of screwing the rig together will be that it's not so critical to have the butts of each join perfect like it would need to be if using PVC joining glue.

I'm hoping to trial fit the rig today so more pics soon hopefully.


Snow by Duke6amer, on Flickr

[Duke]

Trail assembly is done & it went pretty well. There are some minor misalignment's but nothing that doesn't look bad or mean it won't function as intended.
I found the 45' angle fittings were the worst to fit. I think it's their rounded shape making it hard for the rubber mallet to strike squarely, thankfully there are not too many of them.
The table top is also not level as it slopes slightly towards the front of the rig. It is bad enough that I will cut a couple of longer upright pieces to fix it as I intend to have the PC sitting behind the monitor once it's finished.
The plans I found are fantastic as long as you think about it as you build it there is nothing that can really trip you up.
Although I have no idea how you would use the PVC bonding agent? It took me long enough to home each join without any type of glue, let alone PVC bond that sets in like 20sec's.


Part Way by Duke6amer, on Flickr


Assembled by Duke6amer, on Flickr

[TIMMY30]

Nice work man. Looking good. Dumb question... Whats the piece running back down the left hand side towards the rear of the cockpit for?

[Duke]

It has a dual purpose, it adds rigidity to the whole rig & also serves as the hanger for the shifter mount which attaches to it.