Here's my first simulator rig I've been designing. The idea is to be cheap and house everything relating the simulator, including the PC.

While it was designed with my certain setup in mind, it should be adaptable to any chair/wheel/pc/monitor setup. It was also designed for me in particular; I am 5'9".

Thoughts? Improvements?

http://www.techedison.tk/random/lfs/#sim-rig - V1
http://www.techedison.tk/random/lfs/#sim-rig2 - V2
http://www.techedison.tk/random/lfs/#sim-rig3 - V3

Build info:
I added it all up, and sadly it won't fit on 5 2x4's like I hoped. Just 4" too much. That said:

- Needs 5 2"x4"x8' and 4" extra. So that's 40'4". You can fit it with no extra if you leave out the mouse pad.

- Get yourself some 4 inch screws

- Either power tools or a hand saw

Assuming you get supplies from home depot, don't use the mouse pad, have all your computer parts, and prices don't change, the total cost of the build would be: $49.09! Just under $50!

And here are the links:

Wood http://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-4-in-x-96-in-Premium-Kiln-Dried-Whitewood-Stud-161640/202091220

Hand saw http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Deluxe-Miter-Box-with-Saw-20-600D/100034395

Screws http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rite-10-x-4-in-Philips-Bugle-Head-Coarse-Thread-Sharp-Point-Polymer-Coated-Exterior-Screw-PTN4S1/100153825

Washers (for keyboard swivel) http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-4-in-Zinc-Plated-Cut-Washer-100-Piece-807210/204284538

v1



v2 - moved a bunch of stuff - 1ft shorter - moved monitor close to wheel for better FOV



v3 - Added 6 inches... Just wouldn't work without the extra room - Added keyboard swivel and mouse pad

I have my monitor as close to my wheel as possible - it's literally touching the back of my wheel. The closer it is, the more of your field of vision is taken up by it.

Judging from every rig pic I've ever seen though, I'm in the minority in thinking that this is important

Quote from Racon :

I have my monitor as close to my wheel as possible - it's literally touching the back of my wheel. The closer it is, the more of your field of vision is taken up by it.

Judging from every rig pic I've ever seen though, I'm in the minority in thinking that this is important

Actually that is not a bad idea. Given it is a 19" widescreen monitor, having it closer would allow for more virtual "displays" or just expanding the FOV of the driver. That could provide a more immersive experience.

I've done basically no research on sim rigs. Only looked at a couple photos. My reasoning behind this was I wanted to create something with no previous influence so it would be my own design. I then posted the first draft here for input from other drivers, such as you

EDIT:

Also if I moved it closer, I might be able to just attach it to the same platform as the wheel, instead of having it above the pedals.

Quote from Racon :

I have my monitor as close to my wheel as possible - it's literally touching the back of my wheel. The closer it is, the more of your field of vision is taken up by it.

Judging from every rig pic I've ever seen though, I'm in the minority in thinking that this is important

I also believe in this approach.

Version 2
--
Reduced the length by 1.5 feet
Monitor now closer to the wheel and driver

http://www.techedison.tk/random/lfs/#sim-rig2

Quote from Racon :

I have my monitor as close to my wheel as possible - it's literally touching the back of my wheel. The closer it is, the more of your field of vision is taken up by it.

Judging from every rig pic I've ever seen though, I'm in the minority in thinking that this is important

Back when I was using a screen, I did exactly this too. It made it feel like you were looking through a picture-window instead of a porthole.

@TechEdison - don't forget somewhere to put your keyboard and mouse

Quote from Shirtkicker :

Back when I was using a screen, I did exactly this too. It made it feel like you were looking through a picture-window instead of a porthole.

@TechEdison - don't forget somewhere to put your keyboard and mouse

Ah yes! How could I forget! V3 soon... Probably tomorrow.

Also to anyone who replies below me, if you build it, send pics! Did some looking, it could be done with less than $50 of supplies! That is, if you already have the electronics like the PC and seat.

I lied I just couldn't wait to try my idea

http://www.techedison.tk/random/lfs/#sim-rig3

I added a 1 foot section of 2x4 that could have washers in between it and the wheel support for a swivel

added a half foot section on the other side for the mouse.

Easily switchable for left/right handed or whichever you prefer. Just put the sections on the side you want when building it.

Oh also.. Added a half foot to the length. Got a tape measure out and my gosh it was too short. Taking a foot off the original design was too much.

Bump

Looking at the above design is there anything else I should add? I plan to start building tomorrow and I'm looking for last minute edits from the community!

Ahm.... Maybe for future improvements, why don't you put a mobile seat? Then, persons of different heights can use the same project with no adapts.

Quote from Skinzinho :

Ahm.... Maybe for future improvements, why don't you put a mobile seat? Then, persons of different heights can use the same project with no adapts.

or what about making the pedals slide forward and back.

The seat isn't build specific, anyone can use their own seat as long as it is not wider than ~19"

(being serious)
some kind of drink holder might be useful, that comes handy in longer races

Quote from johneysvk :

(being serious)
some kind of drink holder might be useful, that comes handy in longer races

Man that's an amazing idea.

I don't have time to put this in my first build, but v4 will have it.

I'm buying supplies to build v3 momentarily and will be making a build log with pictures.

After doing some more measuring, I am embarrassed to say I was way off on the gap between the chair and the racing wheel.

Looks like it'll need 16-18" not 12". I'm a thin dude and it was still not enough room. Silly me.

Almost done building it! I will post a build log sometime tomorrow!

I've done it! Built the entire rig!

http://www.techedison.tk/random/lfs/sim-build/

I left out the angled supports. They were not needed and cutting angles with a hand saw was way too difficult.

looks, um, interesting

I think the monitor should be lower and as close as possible behind the wheel. I cannot imagine driving like that.

Quote from Nadeo4441 :

I think the monitor should be lower and as close as possible behind the wheel. I cannot imagine driving like that.

Yea I knoww....

That did not go as planned.

Update:

Been gone for a while. I still use this rig and have made only minor modifications.

Might remove the monitor entirely in favor of a VR phone solution I found recently. The monitor is trash right now.

Also I put screws for support around the pedals.