SIMUL8R Mark II PVC plans - bottom of pg #7, donations accepted 53 53

[precise_drifting 0]

Hey guys!

First off, I'm looking at building a rig, and was thinking 80/20 to make it. However, you guys have cut the cost down a TON!!!! Now, I've not read through all the comments, but I'd like as many opinions as possible on this.

1. Is there any noise when pushing firmly on the pedals or turning quickly at higher force-feedback settings?

2. Is there any bend when pushing firmly on the pedals or turning quickly at higher force-feedback?

3. I am also considering making an adjustable rig (pedal angle/wheel height), so can you give me any input on if it's possible to be adjustable?

Thank you to all who reply!

[simul8r 114]

1. Is there any noise when pushing firmly on the pedals or turning quickly at higher force-feedback settings?

2. Is there any bend when pushing firmly on the pedals or turning quickly at higher force-feedback?

3. I am also considering making an adjustable rig (pedal angle/wheel height), so can you give me any input on if it's possible to be adjustable?

Greetings precise_drift, to answer your questions from my point of view:

1. After the pipes/fittings are firmly glued together there is no 'squeaks' whatsoever. However, gluing makes the joint permanent and cannot be disassebled. Screwing has been done but there is the possibility of 'sqeaking' while the rig is being used. It's a choice.

2. There is no bending at the pedal area in the design when using 2" schedule #40 PVC pipes. There may be a slight flex however at the steering wheel if your supporting the majority of your weight when climbing in and out of the rig but nothing to worry about (just try to avoid holding the steering wheel as leverage when entering in a normal car). Most builders do away with the tilt wheel design seeing that it's not necessary for them and hard mount it instead in a different manner making the flexing non-existing. I've more or less improved this while keeping the tilt factor design using fencing clamps (see earlier pages in the thread).

3. Having to change the angle of either the pedal or wheel can be done but the height might be tricky. Unless your willing to use screws to change height another option would be using the clamps I mentioned earlier. I built an adjustable 3 monitor stand with the use of the clamps for tilt and height and so far works as it should.

[precise_drifting 0]

I'm definitely going with glue to put the pieces together because I'm going to fill it with play-sand to reduce vibration and give it some weight. (it's going to be set on a carpeted 1"rubber mat permanently). I was also going towards ABS pipe since the only 2 inch PVC we get in my hometown is vacuum pipe which is not strong enough. Plus, it's cheaper.

For the adjustable pedals, I was going to make a pin/hole system on some (non structural) pipes. I believe it will work. As for the height of the wheel, I've not figured that out yet, but I've got the tilt figured out, with a few specialty pieces.

I'm also looking to reinforce the wheel deck, so that should help, and I don't support myself on the wheel; I use the seat behind me.

Thanks for the quick reply Simul8r!

[Bushmaster 0]

My ABS sim rig inspired by simul8r. I used 1 1/2 inch ABS and PCV to create my rig, Thanks again to simul8r for posting his plans and also to Roadghost for his idea on how to raise it. It makes it a lot easier for an old guy to get in and out of.

[simul8r 114]

Good job Bushmaster, just out of curiosity what does the shifter pipe/mount look like? From the picture it appears you have some sort of support coming off the lower right side of the rig.

Overall, what's your fun factor with the ergonomics of the rig itself?

[Bushmaster 0]

Thanks for the compliment, I haven't had much time to race since I finished it but I think it is going to be great , I think your design is a great one I just had to have it up off the floor as I am to old for the lower version.

The piece you thought was a shifter mount is actually an extra brace I put in because I thought that the long tube that the shifter mounts to needed a little extra support. The shifter still mounts the same as yours on a piece of plywood.I included a better pic.

Overall I think that this rig is as good or better than most of the of the rigs that are for sale for a lot more $. I have about $100.00 total and about 3 actual building days including redoing my mistakes along the way. I am sure that as I use the rig more I will probably modify things to suit me

I may reverse mount my pedals but for now they work in this position just fine.

[Race Bandit 3]

Boredom set in so I took this pvc plan and modified it to my liking and added triples, keyboard/mouse platform. So credit goes to Simul8r's plan. Thanks.

Mike

[simul8r 114]

Boredom set in so I took this pvc plan and modified it to my liking and added triples, keyboard/mouse platform. So credit goes to Simul8r's plan. Thanks.

Mike

Thanks Mike and might I say that you did a incredible and professional job building it to your specifications. Are those 24"s and how is the monitor mount reacting to the butt kicker?

sim

[Race Bandit 3]

The monitor mount has no movement with the buttkicker. Those screens are only 20"s. I drilled holes in the top and bottom pvc and ran the mount brackets all the way to the floor, by inserting them in a smaller pvc to give extension to the monitor vertical poles, I don't remember off hand what diameter pvc I use. The monitors sit just above the pvc and gives my 6'3 height perfect view of the screens. As you can see though the seat is a mere poly low set seat from JEGS (with 2" extra foam under the cover). I mounted it atop 2x4's and it has sliders, adding to its height. I added two supports that run from the front to the steering mount horizontal bar which I need to trim the length on those they are alittle long and bow up. (I was in a hurry). I can upload some more pics when I get home Sunday afternooon. Thanks for the compliments, and again for the great plans.

[vicbel 0]

Pure awesomeness!

Voltaic, I love your 22.5 angle! I prefer a flatter pedal setup myself. Can you please send detail pics of your pedal brace and wheel base brace?

[vicbel 0]

Boredom set in so I took this pvc plan and modified it to my liking and added triples, keyboard/mouse platform. So credit goes to Simul8r's plan. Thanks.

Mike

Is this the kind of seat you are using?

How comfortable is it? Do the sliders work well?

[Race Bandit 3]

How comfortable is it? Do the sliders work well?

Its pretty much like that seat, that one is a high back which would be better. I actually used the low back so it fits in my indy sim as well. I had to add padding to it, and it slides great. When the indy car goes back out this spring I'll probably mount a different seat on this one.

[BeastSi557 0]

First post here, guys... I have that high back seat. It is fine, but I think I'll be adding foam under the cover soon as mentioned on the low back model...gets a bit uncomfortable after an extended run... I fabricated mounts and adjustment mechanism, so I can't speak to the effectiveness of the stock pieces. I found the seat at a short track swap meet. I'll be posting pics of my rig...built with SIMUL8R's great plans and some mods.

[Race Bandit 3]

First post here, guys... I have that high back seat. It is fine, but I think I'll be adding foam under the cover soon as mentioned on the low back model...gets a bit uncomfortable after an extended run... I fabricated mounts and adjustment mechanism, so I can't speak to the effectiveness of the stock pieces. I found the seat at a short track swap meet. I'll be posting pics of my rig...built with SIMUL8R's great plans and some mods.

Yeah they need more padding, other than that the seat works great. Looking forwarded to seeing your modified rig.

[70 elky 0]

Finished my mock up last night glue tonight paint and seat on sat Thanks for the drawings

[Lothurin 1]

Can anyone post the plans for this rig? I've tried to going to http://www.lumenlab.com, but it won't send me a validation email for i can actually view the images on Simul8r's posts.

Thanks

[neverender158 10]

you can the plans here http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/vv192/simul8r/

that link is on the first page of this thread. hope that helps.

[Lothurin 1]

you can the plans here http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/vv192/simul8r/

that link is on the first page of this thread. hope that helps.

Doh i feel like an idiot...i could have sworn i read that a million times. Must have missed it.

Thanks

[azwolf1 0]

okay guys, I am very interested in constructing a pvc cockpit based on simul8r's awesome design. My only concern is that I'm not sure how much weight it will support (using at lesast schedule 40 PVC of course). I've looked everywhere and havent really found an anwser. I'm 6' 3" roughly 290 lbs, I was a defensive linemen lol, and want to make sure this is the right design for someone like myself. If anyone, especially with a similer build as mine has made one, I'd really value their input in this matter. thanks for the help of a diy noob!

[ssagovt 0]

Anti PVC anything, After a life time of broken hockey nets, i say nay good sir to the world of constructing anything out of PVC piping.

But again to each their own i am sure that's less than 100$ in glue and pipe, so if your on a budget do your thing, just be prepared with a nice roll of duct tape!

[jr1414 3]

I wouldn't doubt the longevity of this PVC design, there are several of us who have been using these rigs for years now with no issues. It all depends on the application. Steel will fail in an application where it is designed improperly, and paper honeycombs can be incredibly strong in the right application.

If your considering building this rig, or modifying it to your needs, go for it and have no doubts. I have several hundred hours in mine, and it's still as sturdy and right as day 1.

[simul8r 114]

Anti PVC anything, After a life time of broken hockey nets, i say nay good sir to the world of constructing anything out of PVC piping.

But again to each their own i am sure that's less than 100$ in glue and pipe, so if your on a budget do your thing, just be prepared with a nice roll of duct tape!

I don't understand the purpose of your post ssagovt. We are not building 'hockey nets' here and unless you're planning on constantly hitting your rig with a 'hockey stick' or a 'puck' then I would suggest building one with steel. There have been others here and elsewhere who have built and found satisfaction in the strength and design of the rig using the required type of PVC (SCHEDULE #40) and I remind you there are variations of PVC construction plumbing pipes out in the market as thin as 2mm wall thickness to as thick as 1/2 inches (large diameter pipes).

[dragracer 5]

okay guys, I am very interested in constructing a pvc cockpit based on simul8r's awesome design. My only concern is that I'm not sure how much weight it will support (using at lesast schedule 40 PVC of course). I've looked everywhere and havent really found an anwser. I'm 6' 3" roughly 290 lbs, I was a defensive linemen lol, and want to make sure this is the right design for someone like myself. If anyone, especially with a similer build as mine has made one, I'd really value their input in this matter. thanks for the help of a diy noob!

I am 6'6 at 240 lbs and mine is solid, my wife jumped on my lap and told me I had to drive her around the track so thats another 130 oh wait 120 " dont want to get in trouble" and then her yorki jumped on too so thats another 6 lbs so you should be good. I used liquid nails instead of pvc glue for more tact time but the wheel deck broke loose and pushed down a little when someone used the wheel to pull themselves up but a little glue fixed that. actually I am glad that gave instead of the "insert choice words here" wrecking my wheel. so the pvc didnt fail it was the glue on the joint, so you should be more than fine. I hope this answers your question. a pic of mine is a couple pages back.

actually my wifes "speacial needs" cousin is probably 400lbs give or take and he sat in it and it survived so you will be fine. I guess I could have said that right away but thats not as fun of a story

[azwolf1 0]

Hmm, Thanks a lot for the info dragracer, that's exactly the type of stuff I was hoping to learn! Being that you're 6' 6" did you modify anything to fit you better? If so where were the mods made? Thanks again for the help and input, I hope to start on mine tomorrow.

[dragracer 5]

The only diference between mine and the original design is that I made the floor the length of the rig instead of just under the seat and I ran my pedal plate under the front cross bar instead of over it for less rake, but thats just my preference on comfort and astetics. I was thinking of pulling the wheel closer to the driver but i didnt and thats fine it just makes me sit up straighter to race. I am used to reclining the seat for head room in all my cars and trucks but I dont have that issue in the house I set my seat on and set the wheel and pedals on and marked the seat position and thats where the holes got drilled and I cant even race with the seat all the way back now and it sucks for anyone under 5' but its mine and I dont care about them my wife is 5'4" and 1/2 "she says I need to say the half " but she can drive it. she is a little stretched but not bad. She's not that into it so she dont care. I do have a buttkicker gamer 2 mounted to it but since no one can get one we can cross that bridge later if you want. I built 2 so far one for me one for my brother and he wanted his identical so If I wanted a change I could have and just gave him my old one but I seen no need. I hope this helps.

here is a link to mine if you want any other pics or close ups on anything let me know and I can txt or email them to you http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb4 ... simrig.jpg

I added an air desk and routed some of the cables since this pic but still not done with that but I find myself playing instead of working on it