DIY simpits..

[craig_sez]

Last night i discovered this site that sells basic sim pit build instruction..Its a dyi thing..The cheap and simple rather than big time detailed type..

 

Anyways i go and buy the plans for $20 thinkin its a fairly quick and simple(it is)and low cost...This is the part where it changes...

 

Simple..yes..maneuverable...yes...basic..yes...Price..Cheap...NOT!!!!!!!

 

I made the list of all the pvc i was gonna need and a few other things and the rest i have home...Just to make a stand thats sturdy for my warthog its almost $200!!!!!(canadian)

 

Thats just for a basic skeletal stand that will hold my throttle to my left and stick in the middle with peddels on the floor...A bit to much for the $$

 

I want to move my hotas off my desk to add a lil more reality to my training and my desk is just to awkwardly high.

Edited May 17, 2016 by craig_sez

[agrasyuk]

You miscalculating something it seems. I built PVC structure before and I didn't break 3 digit price . I didn't follow any premade plans, IIRC i was under 60$.

 

If budget is a concern then IMO the mistake was paying money to the Roger "sloppy" aviation. Nothing against him selling and he has full right to sell anything he chooses, but It is strange when one decides to purchase handful of sand from sand dealer while standing in middle of a deset...

[Mr_Burns]

What chair do you have, couldn't you just add something to that to hold the Hotas?

[craig_sez]

Agrasyuk..My budget is not of concern its getting value for my dollar..Whats with the sand issue,makes absolute no sence to me..I want something simple for the moment till i am able to make more room..

 

MR Burns i have a DX Racer chair...I did see some arm reast add ons but they are plastic and i doubt they will hold up to the weight of the warthog.

[Mr_Burns]

Ok probably don't want to go cutting it up then!

 

I looked at those plans but the price of PVC makes them expensive, pity you paid for them but it's done now and what's important is to get you something that works for you and won't rip you off anymore!

 

Nice chair, if you can't mod the cair you could mod the desk? some pits on here use essentially Z shaped (but with a straight vertical) bracket which they clamp to the desk. You could make it from one piece of wood, a few screws and a few clamps?

Edited May 19, 2016 by Mr_Burns

[craig_sez]

MR BURNS...Yeah in searching for an idea i saw some high tech clamping ones made of aluminum from germany that clamp on your desk..Again shipping,duty,exchange makes it a lil higher priced for the $$ value...

 

I also saw something on you tube where a dude made a z bracket as you call it thats slides in and out like a keyboard shelf...Dont have the gear to make it but it seems the most promising..Ill have to ask my brother he is good with that kinda stuff..

Edited May 20, 2016 by craig_sez

[zahry]

PVC is not cheap but it looks cheap ...

 

You can do some wonders with 2x2 and 4x4 wood and some paint. Looks better too. You can also try some local joinery for some MDF offcuts, car wreckers for car seats and similar parts and you can build yourself some really good stuff for few bucks

[SageOT]

I built my first "pit" off their plans. Worked great. I don't remember it being too expensive, maybe pvc is cheaper here. Try getting scraps maybe...? They are also a bit overbuilt. You can easily cut down on the pieces.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Mr_Burns]

I built my first "pit" off their plans. Worked great. I don't remember it being too expensive, maybe pvc is cheaper here. Try getting scraps maybe...? They are also a bit overbuilt. You can easily cut down on the pieces.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

This came up a few years ago, PVC pipe is expensive here in Australia too, some guy on Ebay was selling complete PVC kits with all the pipe cut and the instructions, I compared the prices to those I can buy it at and it was expensive.

 

Regarding overkill its a good point, you could probably cut down a lot screwing the vertical pieces to a solid wood base.

 

If your brother is pretty handy get him to knock up something like this:

 

http://image.nexsoft.de/GamingDeskV1/GamingDesk%20(10).jpg

 

if you don't want to screw it to your desk just buy some clamps from your Home Depo equivalent.

[craig_sez]

Found thison youtube and there is a mention of it being on here...So i have my brother maken me one..

[ame]

[/ame]

[craig_sez]

1” (2.5 cm) schedule 40 PVC pipe, 10’ (305 cm) length 3

1” (2.5 cm) PVC 90-degree elbow connector 20

1” (2.5 cm) PVC T connector 17

1” (2.5 cm) PVC 45-degree elbow connector 4

1” (2.5 cm) PVC cap 3

Construction project glue 1 tube (we used Liquid Nails for Projects)

1x6 wood board, 72” long 1

#60 coarse sand paper 1

#8 wood screws, 1 ¼” long 16

#10 self-drilling screws, ¾” long 20

Sticky-back Velcro 8 pairs

(about 2” x 4” squares)

2” wide Velcro strap, no adhesive 1 yard

Flat (matte) latex primer, tinted gray 1 quart

Masking tape 1

Paper towels 1

Household cleaner 1

Rubbing alcohol 1

Zip-lock bag, 1 gallon size 1

Zip-lock bag, 1 quart size

27” 1

21” 1

18” 1

14” 2

13” 1

10 ½” 2

10” 2

7 ½” 2

7” 3

6” 2

5” 2

4 ½” 7

4” 2

2” 3

1 ½” 18 “betweens

 

Thats basically what you need in parts..Assorted tools n such are either extra or you have at home...All that only makes the pic i posted at the top..

[Mr_Burns]

Looks good, just make sure it's sturdy, I made something for my chair and used shelf brackets which we're too small. The thing flexed and it felt awful.

 

Looking at that design, watch out for them sliding when you push the throttle and stick, you could make sure the gap for the slide isn't too big. Also, he made a good point in the vid, make sure you test what height you want them at!

 

Good luck and don't forget to post some finished pictures!

[hansangb]

I made a quick shelf with folding brackets. Mostly for the Komodo collective, but it's made to fit the TM throttle.

 

I just bolt it in when playing, and folded it down when I'm not.

 

[craig_sez]

Not bad there hans...I see someone else got the crosswinds..Been busy with work and other stuff to even crack open the box..

[hansangb]

Yeah, love the MFGs. I have to setup the Rift tomorrow to see how it compares to the Vive. And Vive was sitting in the box for a week. So I know how it feels.

[craig_sez]

Seen a cpl of the oclus rifts locally..One or two of them are the beta versions and a cpl were rentals..Interesting..

Maybe sell my older 20" monitors and get a rift..

[StiC]

Hey Craig,

 

Here is my DIY pit. It has a USB hub and power bar, so when I set it up, it only requires a USB port on my PC, a power outlet and a video signal. The stick pedestal is removable and the pedals are hinged to fold up beneath the monitor for storage. I've cleaned up the wiring and added helios since the pic was taken.

 

I was lucky enough to have some steel chassis monitors to make part of the structure, but the same thing could be accomplished with wood and a mounting bracket.

 

Edited May 22, 2016 by StiC

[craig_sez]

A CAPER..lol..We all gotta start somewhere wha!!

[hansangb]

craig, do try out the Rift. Immersion is pretty damn incredible. I got rid of one of the monitors in my 3 monitor setup. Kept two - still have to work, after all! :) - but didn't need the 3 monitor setup anymore.

 

But I am still building switch boxes. I want the immersion of VR with physical tactile switches.

[craig_sez]

Yeah hans there is a unit or two locally for sale that are tester versions and a company that does the rental deal..Might drop by and see for fun..I saw a canadian price on the vive for $1200 so i dont see one on my desk any time soon..Still love to try one for fun..

[hansangb]

Microsoft centers (if there is one close by) also demo's them. But I think you have to setup an appointment. Of course, rental would be better since you can try it with DCS.

[craig_sez]

Been watching a few vids with dcs on you tube..I saw the vive $$ so im sure the rift is not alot different..

[hansangb]

Vive is like $900 and OR is $600. But you don't get the hand controller (yet) for the $600 and you have order it separately.

[cichlidfan]

I am amazed that someone is renting a CV1. A dev unit maybe but a $600, relatively fragile, and very new item is surprising. I wonder if you have to have a credit card in case of damage?

 

Regarding the price, the $300 difference certainly isn't compensated for by having the controllers, in my mind.

[Mr_Burns]

I am amazed that someone is renting a CV1. A dev unit maybe but a $600, relatively fragile, and very new item is surprising. I wonder if you have to have a credit card in case of damage?

 

Regarding the price, the $300 difference certainly isn't compensated for by having the controllers, in my mind.

 

Maybe have insurance, or maybe covered by your home and contents insurance, some sort of contract and yeah, credit card deposit.

 

Don't have anything like that here is Aus that I have seen, perhaps I should corner the market but as your post implies, it could be a pretty risky venture!

This little guy is putting an OR on.:pilotfly: