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

[TheLittleDude 0]

That's an ingenious idea, so I thought I'd drop by and say "thanks". Got the PVC and tools ready since last year, haven't yet had the time to finish my rig unfortunately.

But, that's a nice solution if one is on a budget, and looks quite the business.

[simul8r 114]

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

Seriously, 400lbs? No offense towards your cousin-in-law and I'm sure he's a remarkable fella if he was able to get down that low to the ground and mount the rig in the first place much less get out of it without damaging something. Frankly, I don't see your cousin having any "special needs" at all. And thanks for sharing dragracer, I'm just delighted to hear that the rig is providing that much fun to you and your family including the yorki too

[simul8r 114]

That's an ingenious idea, so I thought I'd drop by and say "thanks". Got the PVC and tools ready since last year, haven't yet had the time to finish my rig unfortunately.

But, that's a nice solution if one is on a budget, and looks quite the business.

Thanks LilDude, and whenever you do get around to finishing it I would very much appreciate seeing a picture of it when the time comes. Cheers!

[simul8r 114]

Just an update for those interested. I'm in the process of rebuilding another rig since I've sold the original sometime back. I'm currently mauling over the original plans to include a small tabletop for, perhaps, a moderate sized monitor, keyboard and what-not; the addition of locking clamps for easier building and adjustability and a few changes to height and length. Nothing to over the top but a few things I've seen others implemented (Salutes ) and some things I found along the way that I wished I had included into the original, you know..."hmmm, upgrades"

[BK_NC 73]

Looking forward to seeing your new build. I hope you will share plans for the upgraded build with us like you did the original.

[dragracer 5]

Seriously, 400lbs? No offense towards your cousin-in-law and I'm sure he's a remarkable fella if he was able to get down that low to the ground and mount the rig in the first place much less get out of it without damaging something. Frankly, I don't see your cousin having any "special needs" at all. And thanks for sharing dragracer, I'm just delighted to hear that the rig is providing that much fun to you and your family including the yorki too

He couldnt get out but he got it and it held. I rolled him out onto the floor and had to assist him back to his feet. ok maybe 350 but he feels hevier than my ninja 650r He tests my patience and my strength getting him off the floor but when you get married you get the family too and I knew that going into it.

The family does enjoy it when my sister inlaws bf comes over we just leave him and go do our activites without him

And yes we have to include the yorki he was in our wedding in a litte tux. walked down the isle by my wifes 3yr old half brother. "he was three at the time of the wedding" It was going to be cute or a disaster It worked out but the disaster would have been more entertaining i think.

and yes it has been broken in properly

[dragracer 5]

Just an update for those interested. I'm in the process of rebuilding another rig..."hmmm, upgrades"

Now I am excited I want the upgraded one. I was asked to build another one but I might wait and they may just get a hand me down rig.

Hurry I cant wait. I want a new toy

[c0rn 7]

I would love to see what your update thoughts are Simul8r. I love my rig and have had many many hours of in it. I will be making a new soon because I am getting two more screens and my current PVC rig is not built for that. I was thinking of going down the "steel road" but think I will wait and see what you come up with.

[azwolf1 0]

I was finally able to get my pipes are begin cutting. Thanks for the advice guys. Hey Simul8r hope you have those updates up soon, I'd love to see em before I get too far along with mine

[simul8r 114]

Appreciate the support fellas! Well, so far this is where I've gotten with the SIMUL8R Mark II as of yesterday. By my measurement, the steering wheel was raised by about 2 inches. Any higher and I'm afraid the Logitech's wheel maybe sitting rather high for my liking. I figure my fists are about close to shoulder level. I've been battling with the cost of parts factor versus appearances and finally decided on the 2 front arm approach which was better than just 1 coming off the front pedal bar for support for a table top. Also, I couldn’t find a ‘Y’ PVC fitting, so extra ‘T’s and 45’s did the trick plus they appear nicer looking than a 'Y' section in my opinion.

I'm going the urethane seat route this time to remove most of the weight but still retain sliders of course. I figure the seat may be sitting at about 13 to 14 inches off the ground by the time I'm done.

[simul8r 114]

Progress...still mocking up, taking measurements, brainstorming. At first, the plan was to add a front table for a moderate size monitor but now I'm debating whether to over engineer this thing to allow for anything larger...like say a single 40 inch diagonal just for the hell of it Hmmm, wonder if my old 27" CRT can fit on it..

[simul8r 114]

Just wanted to point out to those contemplating a PVC build. Seems the manufacturers may be redesigning some of their fittings. While shopping for more parts I found they had changed the look of the 45 degree joint. I already had the majority of the rounded version but needed just one more for a complete set. I had to go to 3 different hardware stores until I found the right one and it wasn't in any of my favorite Home Depot outlets

[simul8r 114]

Clamps used for metal pipe fences. I wanted to use these to replace the 'T' section for pivoting the wheel in the first build but of course everything was permanently glued together. Works great and adds a bit more height from the knees. Also, you all may have noticed the pipe that the clamps sits on is colored grey, well, that's Schedule 80 PVC used for heavy duty electrical conduits. I'ts walls are thicker and a bit heavier than Schedule 40. Thought I'd give that a try but appears they come in 10 feet lengths at 10 dollars a piece US. The store I bought it from were able to cut and sell shorter pieces but still not very price efficient. Practically cost me over 5 US for a 2 foot section.

[simul8r 114]

Still trying to maintain the height of the seat to around 13 -14 inches. With sliders and all I should be right there.

This is just one of the PVC end cap fittings I found at the store that I plan to attach the table to. It was exactly what I needed. It's quite interesting to walk though the isles and find different types of fittings, gives you ideas on what you could do with them.

[BK_NC 73]

I really like the changes. Especially to the wheel deck. Great job as always.

[simul8r 114]

Follow up, I think I'm done mocking up all the ideas I've contemplated for this build. I currently have most of the items such as the the seat, wheel, shifter, reverse pedals and a junk keyboard mounted on semi screwed scrap pieces of wood so I could get a feel of how everything measures up while sitting in it. Those Simpson fence clamps are really quite a blessing for adjustability. So far I'm up to 6 and I'm planning on adding an additional 2 more with hopes to include a joy stick mount and/or a small table for keyboard/mouse gaming. It will be like my ultimate gaming rig.

For starters, here's a pic of the reverse pedal mock up using the clamps. I like how this design turned out because it does actually feels better having the pedals reversed compared to pushing down on a platform. The clamps really proved their worth with the ability to rake the pedals at any angle.

[simul8r 114]

Here, I have a junk keyboard on a makeshift stand using, again, one of the clamps. I used a PVC 'T' fitting with a pipe cap for this side but the stand itself can be mounted either on the left or right side of the rig depending on the user.

[simul8r 114]

Here's the shifter mount setup. Gone are the 'U' bolts, just 1 clamp does the trick.

And yes, I did decide to over engineer this thing since it will now be my final build. I figured I could easily set a large flat screen in front with no worries. I'm guessing a foot print just before the wheel stand of about 14" deep by 24" wide is enough space.

[simul8r 114]

Now to tally up the parts and put measurements to paper.

[dragracer 5]

Hmm I may have to mod mine for the new wheel deck for added leg room. I never noticed until you mentioned it

[nerdracer 1]

Long time fan of ISR and first time posting on the forum here.

I wanted to say thanks to you SIMUL8R for the idea, pictures and plans. I have my rig about 75% completed. I realized last night that I did not buy enough PVC pipe to complete the frame.

Tonight I'm heading back to the shops to pick up the rest of the stuff. I plan to make a table-top style setup similar to your Mk II rig to place the monitor directly in front of the seat.

Also due to supply issues I was forced to use 1 1/2" pipe so I am planning to add a brace on the left side of the rig to support the wheel deck. So far the 1 1/2" seems very solid although I only weigh about 175lbs.

I think the most difficult thing will be to find a seat with rails at a local junk yard. Just curious, the dimension you list in the original plans for supported seat size, is that a standard size for car seats/rails?

I will post some pics tonight! Thanks again.

[simul8r 114]

Long time fan of ISR and first time posting on the forum here.

I think the most difficult thing will be to find a seat with rails at a local junk yard. Just curious, the dimension you list in the original plans for supported seat size, is that a standard size for car seats/rails?

I will post some pics tonight! Thanks again.

Your welcome nerdracer, as far as the rail measurements goes I only based it on the rails that were on the Integra seat. So if your rails match up to those then your good otherwise your going to have to raise it or move the scew holes over to not hit the PVC pipes below.

Are you planning on mounting your wheel to the table top or are you planning a 'T' section type mount like in the first plan. A 1-1/2 'T' section wouldn't be strong enough in my opinion if thats the goal.

[simul8r 114]

Ok, took everything apart, stacked them and started gluing. Here's where the hard part comes in cause PVC glue is not forgiving when it comes to curing time. It's pretty much instantaneous, I've even tried Gorilla PVC glue which is a bit more expensive but that too did not allow enough time for me to adjust especially if I messed up building a section. Strongly suggest a longer curing type adhesive with some self tapping screws to keep things in place as you progress in the build. The biggest advise is to not rush the process and take your time. I'd take a section, lay it out and plan which end I'd start on then begin the cleaning and sanding processs, then glue and tap with my wooden mallet and hold in place on a flat surface, then move on the next piece. For a right angle fitting I used a right angle ruler while the section was held flat on the table.

As I was stacking the parts it seems I've notice something different with some of the 'T' fittings. Take a look, it seems there are variations of their sizes probably from different manufacturers. That means I'm going to have to be creative with which type of 'T' goes where just so that things fit right with each other. So be warned when picking up a batch from your local hardware stores, make sure all the fitting types are equally uniform otherwise it can scew up your day.

[simul8r 114]

Here it is done after gluing. I decided to make mine collapsible by having sections glued while the rest connected with screws. Just wondering what size box I could fit this in and maybe sell a few kits.

The tools I used to build the frame were just a table saw, a 2 x 4 piece of wood for a mallet which was beat to hell after I was done, 1/2 inch self tapping screws , a cordless drill gun and a right angle ruler (explained earlier). Had I gone the free hand sawing way would have taken longer, hurt like hell (lots of cutting) and would have had crooked cuts that made proper gluing short changed and a build jacked up all sort of ways.

[simul8r 114]

And here are the plans Not much of a difference in dimensions but there are improvements. It's a little longer, a little wider and little taller. The biggest change are that I incorporated the Simpson Strong Ties i.e. part# PGT2Z-R, size 2-3/8 inch DIA to replace the original PVC 'T' section for a pivoting wheel deck otherwise the addition of the front end table can be used as a fixed platform to mount the wheel. Just extend a section of the of the wooden table out towards you from the edge of pipe between 5 to 8 inches depending on comfort and mount it.

Also, the plans do provide for a keyboard platform. If thats not needed than just remove 1 PVC 'T' fitting and a round cap from the list and add another 90 degree joint to replace those two.

UPDATE ( 09 May 2012): After trying to configure a better solution for a pivoting wheel deck using ordinary pipe straps I've discovered by locking in the top pipe to the front table supports created a much sturdier wheel deck with no wobble whatsoever. This is with the implementation of the 'U' bolt and pipe straps configuration as shown on page 21. I've edited the plans showing the modification of the rig's top pipe/table area and the parts (pipe/fittings) needed.
 

SIMUL8R MK II Construction Plans

FYI, it has been mentioned that ISR's video with Shaun building their MK II did not match my plans as shown below.  The reason is that the plans had evolved during and after Shaun had completed his build.  This was due to a better tilt wheel design, availability of parts and a stronger table top overall. The plans below IS the final design.