I’ve been wanting an F1-style steering wheel for sim racing for ages, but I didn’t want to spend massive amounts of cash on a commercially-built steering wheel that could be great but had loads of features I didn’t care about (especially LEDs and a screen) since I play in VR.

A colleague of mine, who is also into sim racing, built a steering wheel that was better than almost anything you can find from Fanatec/Moza/Thrustmaster/whatevs for around 500€.

So, of course, I decided to buy the same thing build it myself from scratch for the challenge and to save some money. Because I’m an idiot, I guess. I thought it would take me 2-3 weekends. It took 4 months. It’s basically a wheel-shaped mechanical keyboard. It was the biggest non-essential project of my life. I learned a lot, including not getting myself delusional enough to start that kind of project on a whim.

Steering wheel's back

Features:

  • F1-shaped steering wheel, heavily inspired by Ferrari’s one with the general shape and front. Back is closer to Mercedes’.
  • Magnetic shift paddles
  • Analog clutch (WIP)
  • 7 rotary encoders
  • 10 face buttons + 2 back buttons + 5 clickable encoders
  • Quick-release connection to the steering column
  • Aviator-style USB connector
  • QMK firmware
  • Everything is 3D-printed except for the aluminium mid-plate and the quick-release

If you guys are interested I have a few WIP pictures, so I could start a build log. WDYT?

Installed Front Installed Back

  • CallMeAnAI@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    5 months ago

    I’d love a durability report eventually. This is very cool and I’d love to do it but I definitely am wondering how it’s going to stand up long term.

    • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      5 months ago

      You can use engineering grade filaments with glass or carbon fiber polycarbonates very close to 6061 aluminum for strength.

      • ColdCreasent@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        27 days ago

        Try to avoid using carbon fibre in any 3d print that you will touch. There is a report/video from a tech guy that built a bunch of carbon fibre reinforced items to sell and then started to discover carbon fibre particles imbedding into his skin.