Malti27 - DIY Racing Cockpit! ((!!!!Project Ready (See Page 2)!!!!))
- Thread starter SchuMito
- 70 comments
- 55,537 views
hahaha... it is my tv in fact
I was taking the photos while my brother was watching the TV. I have to thank my bro for the great help he gave me, actually, he is a beneficiary of this systems so... @ UK-Gamer
I have a 5.1 (or sort of) but it is not shown in the pictures. It is a Panasonic Hi-Fi system (bought in 2001) with 400W RMS (4400W PMPO), which is directly hooked to the PS3. It produces a great sound.
- 338
- Athens
- MARS__ATTACKS
Bravo SchuMito, nice rig, nice work!!!👍
Mr. Ping, that is quite simple. The Jack Plugs go into a Jack to USB adaptor. Than a USB extension leads from the USB Adaptor to the USB Hub which is located in the box behind the pedals. From the USB hub directly into the PS3. Hope this helps. If you need more info, just send me a Private Message and I will be more than happy to help you.
That Ferrari horse looks great, if you don't mind could you tell me how you did it
👍
Nizmo, that is called fretwork, I learnt the technique when I was still 10 years old at school. The horse is made from 6mm plywood. Basically, you find a picture of the ferrari horse, and print it the size you want it. Stick it to the 6mm plywood by using either wood glue (not suggested as it sticks too much) or else by using thickned milk, it stinks, but it is the best glue for this type of work. If you don't have milk, use diluted wood glue (dilute with water). When the paper has attached properly, you need to start cutting the wood. You need to have a fretwork saw (see link below for image). You need to cut firstly all the inner holes, than do the outline. Sand it down to remove the paper and the shives. And you are done. To do the horse, it is a 2hr job, but depends on how practiced you are. If you want to learn fretwork, I suggest you'll fetch a video on you tube, as it would be much more explenatory.
http://www.google.com.mt/imgres?img...7jAeX4IHoDw&page=1&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0
Marbz... I'm sorry but I have been busy lately doing other things, especially with my work load which is always increasing.
Currently, I am away from home for 4 days and will be back home on Sunday. However, I can give you some information from here.
Start off by purchasing / getting your seat, reason being is very simple, the whole cockpit has to rotate around the seat.
When you have the seat, than put your seat in front of your tv set, sit in it, and start taking note of the height of the tv when looking into it. I find it really really comfortable to have your eyes exactly in the middle of the tv, hence make sure that when sitting in your seat, you eyes are looking directly in the centre (height wise) of your tv.
I think that when building this type of cockpit, where you are very limited with the type of adjustments you can make when the seat is done (except for the seat position if you put it on runners like I did) it is important that you build it custom made around yourself.
When you have taken note of the height you want to install your seat on, start working a box to mount your seat on. The box has to be big enough to attach the seat comfortably enough on it. If you browse my early pictures, you will note that one of the sides is higher than the other one. This is done on purpouse so on/with it the shifter holder has to be attached. This is also something very personal. Some people prefer the shifter to be installed high up, almost next to the wheel, while others prefer it down next to their knee. This is up to the individuals discretion. So make sure that you calculate where do you want your shifter to be placed, and work also with it. Beleive me, it took me much more time planning and taking calculations and dimensions so it fits me comfortably than cutting, building & painting wood. This is a time consuming process, but it has to be done if you want to have a good final product.
I would start off taking these dimensions first, and start building the box to mount the seat on. If you want, prepare the chasis of the rig as the seat housing box itself has to be mounted on the chasis. My chasis is around 2m long, but I cannot give you dimensions at this moment.
This is the information I can give you:
- I used 18mm pine boards. MDF will be fine and also 16/18mm plywood.
- The chasis is made of white wood beams, 45mm x 22mm. They are strong enough to be used as chasis as long as you are not going to keep you racing rig in the water (which I doubt)
- If I'm not mistaken, the height of my seat housing box is 250mm from the ground, however, I'm not 100% sure, but 85%. I will check for you on Sunday.
- I am 1.73m tall. If you are somewhat in my height range, my dimensions could be fine. If you are much taller, you'll have to construct it on your own dimensions.
- Make sure that you buy your seat with runners, as it will be much much simpler to do some final adjustments to your final position. Remember that the seat is the only part of the rig you can adjust, pedals, wheel and shifter will all be fixed.
Hope this helps. I will have limited access to the internet, but I will try to answer you if you have any questions. When building your seat box, check some pictures I've posted on Page 1 as there are some images showing how I gave support and strength to the seat box as that part of the rig will take all your weight, and you don't want to end with the seat in the seat box while doing 250kmph in the eau rouge and radillion hehe
Enjoy your build... if you do not enjoy it, your final product will not be nice, and it will show
Any questions, feel free to ask.
Currently, I am away from home for 4 days and will be back home on Sunday. However, I can give you some information from here.
Start off by purchasing / getting your seat, reason being is very simple, the whole cockpit has to rotate around the seat.
When you have the seat, than put your seat in front of your tv set, sit in it, and start taking note of the height of the tv when looking into it. I find it really really comfortable to have your eyes exactly in the middle of the tv, hence make sure that when sitting in your seat, you eyes are looking directly in the centre (height wise) of your tv.
I think that when building this type of cockpit, where you are very limited with the type of adjustments you can make when the seat is done (except for the seat position if you put it on runners like I did) it is important that you build it custom made around yourself.
When you have taken note of the height you want to install your seat on, start working a box to mount your seat on. The box has to be big enough to attach the seat comfortably enough on it. If you browse my early pictures, you will note that one of the sides is higher than the other one. This is done on purpouse so on/with it the shifter holder has to be attached. This is also something very personal. Some people prefer the shifter to be installed high up, almost next to the wheel, while others prefer it down next to their knee. This is up to the individuals discretion. So make sure that you calculate where do you want your shifter to be placed, and work also with it. Beleive me, it took me much more time planning and taking calculations and dimensions so it fits me comfortably than cutting, building & painting wood. This is a time consuming process, but it has to be done if you want to have a good final product.
I would start off taking these dimensions first, and start building the box to mount the seat on. If you want, prepare the chasis of the rig as the seat housing box itself has to be mounted on the chasis. My chasis is around 2m long, but I cannot give you dimensions at this moment.
This is the information I can give you:
- I used 18mm pine boards. MDF will be fine and also 16/18mm plywood.
- The chasis is made of white wood beams, 45mm x 22mm. They are strong enough to be used as chasis as long as you are not going to keep you racing rig in the water (which I doubt)
- If I'm not mistaken, the height of my seat housing box is 250mm from the ground, however, I'm not 100% sure, but 85%. I will check for you on Sunday.
- I am 1.73m tall. If you are somewhat in my height range, my dimensions could be fine. If you are much taller, you'll have to construct it on your own dimensions.
- Make sure that you buy your seat with runners, as it will be much much simpler to do some final adjustments to your final position. Remember that the seat is the only part of the rig you can adjust, pedals, wheel and shifter will all be fixed.
Hope this helps. I will have limited access to the internet, but I will try to answer you if you have any questions. When building your seat box, check some pictures I've posted on Page 1 as there are some images showing how I gave support and strength to the seat box as that part of the rig will take all your weight, and you don't want to end with the seat in the seat box while doing 250kmph in the eau rouge and radillion hehe
Enjoy your build... if you do not enjoy it, your final product will not be nice, and it will show
Any questions, feel free to ask. 
- 736
- MrSchmo
Just wanted to say great job on it. Since you used pine board, I would of just stained it, but thats me.
I currently use a mocked up Wheelstandpro that I made to use in conjunction with my racing seat. Unfortunately for me mine has to be somewhat portable as the wife wont let me keep it in the living room when not playing. that means lots of trips up and down the basement stairs. What I need to come up with is to take the wheelstand out of the equation and make a stand that is adjustable from the wheel and can detach from my seat. Open to ideas to help me brainstorm.
I currently use a mocked up Wheelstandpro that I made to use in conjunction with my racing seat. Unfortunately for me mine has to be somewhat portable as the wife wont let me keep it in the living room when not playing. that means lots of trips up and down the basement stairs. What I need to come up with is to take the wheelstand out of the equation and make a stand that is adjustable from the wheel and can detach from my seat. Open to ideas to help me brainstorm.
well... No it is not very easy. You need to have some machinery (basic woodworking machinery), some knowhow, some creativity and someone to lend you a helping hand sometimes. It is not rocket science but definitely not a very easy build. If you look in the forums there are much more easy builds.
My main complications arose from the side designs, but if you want an easy build, instead of making a Zig Zag like side, do a big C like side so you can mount the pedals and the wheel along all the side, and be able to move it around easily, and not restricted by the design like mine. If you need help let me know.
My main complications arose from the side designs, but if you want an easy build, instead of making a Zig Zag like side, do a big C like side so you can mount the pedals and the wheel along all the side, and be able to move it around easily, and not restricted by the design like mine. If you need help let me know.
Than I'll tell you one thing... if your uncle is willing to help you, grab him, tie him to his workshop, and start building. Check on the price of materials... if I have to do it over again I would use MDF for construction. Other than that, a few wood beams for support, a seat, (I bought mine New, you can get a good one from the scrap yard if you want to save on money) and enjoy GT5
If you need help, shout!
If you need help, shout!
- 552
- N. Ireland
- TommyWizard
A very inspirational build! Sadly, I dont have the space in my current household to build one 
Well price, I'm quoting you in Euros.
€110 - The Seat Itself (I got it at bargain price actually, he wanted to get rid of it as he had sold one and couldn't sell the other one alone)
€70 - The Wood (I used Pine Sheets, I think MDF is cheaper - check at your local store)
€10 - Wheels (So I can move it around)
€10 - Carpet (You can buy it from car upholsterers)
€10 - Plug extension and USB Hub
I re used a god amount of wood (mainly white wood beams) from my old rig, so those are out of the equation. However, they are quite cheap to buy and quite good for this job.
Unfortunately I do not have a template... however I can give you some advices. First - BUY THE SEAT! Don't start without having the seat. Take note of the seat height, how high you want to sit. Make sure that you are looking at the centre of your TV set when playing. When you have the height, build the box on where the seat will be attached. When you have that, mount the seat (cover it, otherwise you will dirt it with all sorts of wood particles) and start calculating where you want the pedals, shifter and wheel. You have to build it on your own dimensions, this is not a one size fits all. Remember this is made of Wood, hence you buld it once and you cannot adjust it, except if you have the seat mounted on runners (mine is).
Plan carefully and you will do a great job! If you need help, shout.
€110 - The Seat Itself (I got it at bargain price actually, he wanted to get rid of it as he had sold one and couldn't sell the other one alone)
€70 - The Wood (I used Pine Sheets, I think MDF is cheaper - check at your local store)
€10 - Wheels (So I can move it around)
€10 - Carpet (You can buy it from car upholsterers)
€10 - Plug extension and USB Hub
I re used a god amount of wood (mainly white wood beams) from my old rig, so those are out of the equation. However, they are quite cheap to buy and quite good for this job.
Unfortunately I do not have a template... however I can give you some advices. First - BUY THE SEAT! Don't start without having the seat. Take note of the seat height, how high you want to sit. Make sure that you are looking at the centre of your TV set when playing. When you have the height, build the box on where the seat will be attached. When you have that, mount the seat (cover it, otherwise you will dirt it with all sorts of wood particles) and start calculating where you want the pedals, shifter and wheel. You have to build it on your own dimensions, this is not a one size fits all. Remember this is made of Wood, hence you buld it once and you cannot adjust it, except if you have the seat mounted on runners (mine is).
Plan carefully and you will do a great job! If you need help, shout.
