R-Pod MkII Custom Rig Build - VR Enabled

[Carson79]

This is very impressive, and a lot of work. A big thumbs up 👍👍

 

[ericleroi]

Thanks Carson79. Still a lot of work to do on the front panels and dashboard yet though!

 

[ericleroi]

Something arrived in the post this morning:



Not quite as perfect as I would have liked but worth the investment. The badge should add to the finish of the front of the pod nicely though.

The grill section with the first coat of flat black applied:



Most of today will be spent sorting out my games room to accommodate the new rig.

 

[ericleroi]

I've spent most of today building the monitor mount and drilling access holes for cables.









The posts and cable access will be completely hidden once this has been completed. Posts have been over-cut for now just in case my measuring is off.

 

[ericleroi]

Well, I continue to make progress ... of sorts. This side piece is proving to be problematic. This is the 4th time I've had to re-fill and sand. Hopefully this is the last time:



I really want to get on with the air intake.

Edit:

Also mounted the Ultrawide monitor and configured TrackIR:



I need to consider triples at some point ...

 

[ericleroi]

I've finished it and am satisfied:







I will coat it in polyurethane tomorrow and then start cutting the mesh, artwork and acrylic.

 

[ericleroi]

Grill with mesh:



Grill with mesh and aluminium bars.

 

[Germinator]

I'm not entirely convinced by those aluminium bars, looks like a bbq grill. I'm sure once it's complete it will look in place with the rest of your setup.

 

[ericleroi]

Thanks for your honest feedback Germinator, I do know what you mean. It will sit very low on the cab so you won't really see it head-on. Just did a test fit and it'll definitely be better than a blank panel. There'll also be a tow hook next to it to break things up a bit:

 

[ultimate]

Great DIY rig, just fews questions, what kind of MDF did you use?
I mean density and thickness
I like your black coat paint, how did you paint it?
I am undecided between painting my rig or applying some adhesive vinyl

thanks

 

[ericleroi]

The thickness is 18mm, not sure of the specific density - I tend to avoid the overly fibrous stuff.

It's a blackboard base paint covered with polyurethane varnish (several coats), all water based and applied with a small foam roller. It has a slightly textured finish to it which I like. I have it on most of my projects and it's pretty durable.

If you have a large flat area to cover wrapping around a single surface, consider blackboard / chalkboard vinyl. I use plenty of that also. It's thicker than standard vinyl and also has a nice texture to it.

 

[ultimate]

blackboard vinyl
is it reliable against scratches?

 

[ericleroi]

It will take a good kicking but probably wouldn't be that great if knocked hard with a sharp edge. I have had it on my desk for some time now and also another couple of arcade cabinets and it's holding up very well. As long as you're reasonably careful, it's worthwhile considering

 

[ultimate]

just questions about MDF thickness, do you think 9mm is enough to support whole rig?
i need different parts such as below:
- covering side part, its only aesthetic though.
- flat bottom, there is already one but very thin (9mm) and its damaged after building
- wheel and pedals supports (i believe i need thicker ones, otherwise it wont be sturdy enough)

 

[ericleroi]

If it's structural, I would definitely use 18mm MDF. I used 12mm on R-Pod MkI and whilst it was ok, 18mm would have been much better. 9mm would be fine for the side panels. 12mm would probably be ok for the base panel.

18mm all round would be my strong preference though.

 

[ultimate]

Base panel? you mean base cockpit panel or wheel base panel? i m little confuse lol
I would like also raise up pedals such as your solution? is it sturdy?

 

[ericleroi]

Reading what I'd written, it didn't make sense, apologies.

-For anything structural (side panels, external faces, wheel base panel), 18mm would be recommended.
-For the cockpit base panel (footwell / pedal mount), you could get away with 12mm MDF but I would use 18mm anyway mainly to allow the use of threaded inserts for bolting any pedal mount down.
-For aesthetic parts, any thickness will suffice. I like to use double thickness (18mm external, 12mm internal) to allow inserts/windows to be added.

The pedal mount is sturdy using the CSPs. There is a little bit of play in the seat runner it's mounted on though (not really noticeable when in use).

 

[ericleroi]

Hat (for TrackIR) and mouse pad ordered:





4 panels for the front cut:





Inside view showing the reason for T-Molding:

 

[ericleroi]

Spent a couple of hours designing the cutouts/windows for the side pieces:

 

[ericleroi]

Started cutting the side sections for the dashboard. This will extend beyond the side panels on the front an make it wider to accommodate more buttons etc. there will also be a space behind it and those side panels for more air ducting. It will also enable me to create an angled dash so the outer part will be slightly closer for me to reach:





It's my wife's birthday today and I need to get some building in before we go out ...

Edit: All 4 panels have been cut.

Edit:

Just to give an idea concerning the spacing / air vent metioned earlier:





It will give a more 3 dimensional look to the build.

 

[ericleroi]

Holes drilled in the first of the front panels:



Rough cut and ready for the router guides to be attached:

 

[ericleroi]

Completed flush trimming the first panel:



Close-up:



I can now use this as a template for the other side.

 

[ericleroi]

Sorry about the proliferation of posts, just want to keep a complete log ...

Test fit for the front:



I'm pleased with how this is turning out so far.

 

[ericleroi]

Got my head down and completed the router work for the outside front panels:



Close-up of the outside:



Inside:

 

[fatkrakr]

If you ever did decide to sell this as a complete kit you would never be able to sim race again. People would line up to order one I believe. I know I would jump all over one of those stand alone shifter pods.

 

[ericleroi]

It's worth considering fatkrakr. I'll look into it once I've got everything complete. I'll need to model it and get it all cut using a CNC router if I do. At the very least, I'll see if I can put some plans together.

 

[ericleroi]

Not happy with the finish on this piece (and will be re-doing it) but here it is after varnishing:

 

[ericleroi]

Spent a lot of today sorting the cabling out, surfacing the inside of the cab and wiring up the remaining Buttkickers.

 

[ultimate]

Monitor screen, isnt it too close to your eyes?

 

[fatkrakr]

Monitor screen, isnt it too close to your eyes?

That's about where my center screen sits, just a bit lower.