Material sizing for DIY 8020 sim rig

[phil47gts]

Hi all,

I'd like to build my custom VR flight sim rig, and will probably use 8020 aluminium extrusion for that.
At the risk of sounding like a terrible noob, could somebody tell me what the recommended profile sizing is here ? Should I go for the 30mm or the 40mm profiles ? 

I know that for sim racing there can be a lot of stress on the frame, but was told that for flight sims this is considerably less. So is it worth spending the extra $$$ for the 40mm profiles if I spend 90% of my time on flight sims ?

Many thanks in advance !

Phil

[pixie]

I think 8040 aluminum profile is a safer bet.

I have a VR setup which tends to become really heavy with warthog hotas and all the latest Winwing panels and stuff.

My hotas mount is a made by Monstertech, https://www.monster.tech/en/product/joystick-hotas-table-mount/  I had to modify it in order to support Winwing stuff and I'm really glad they used 8040 in the first place. See the result here :

https://imgur.com/a/7oN0Sim

 

 

[Hinkey]

58 minutes ago, pixie said:

I had to modify it in order to support Winwing stuff and I'm really glad they used 8040 in the first place. See the result here :

That looks good. I'm looking at trying to attach the winwing MIP to my monstertech. What mods did it require?

[pixie]

1 hour ago, Hinkey said:

That looks good. I'm looking at trying to attach the winwing MIP to my monstertech. What mods did it require?

 

This is more or less what I did on the existing Monstertech stick mount,

I have used a 600mm 8040 profile for the main part, one 200mm to attach the stick plate on the lower part, and a 100mm for the upper part that is sitting on the desk.

You will also need some plastic caps to clean the edges, some M5 bolts, and eight 90° connectors.

Ordered every parts on Amazon.

 

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B00SWOEQ6U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B0B9G8YW7L/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B09F9HJY1M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B08M5MMD7C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

you can also order the clamp here

https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0051YM8DC/?coliid=I1H1J57ZIKL867&colid=L9ST7S98M8L7&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

 

Edited December 15, 2022 by pixie

[Hinkey]

52 minutes ago, pixie said:

This is more or less what I did on the existing Monstertech stick mount

Nice, thanks for the links.

[phil47gts]

Thanks for the advice @pixie, much appreciated !!

[Scott-S6]

Even 4020 is surprisingly strong but you have to pay much more attention to design in order to avoid unwanted flex. 

We really need to see your design to comment in a meaningful way.

[phil47gts]

3 hours ago, Scott-S6 said:

Even 4020 is surprisingly strong but you have to pay much more attention to design in order to avoid unwanted flex. 

We really need to see your design to comment in a meaningful way.

Hi Scott,
Thanks for the comment
You're obviously right, I should have provided a bit more specs, so here goes.

I'd like to build a versatile system, usable for both flying with a left & right hotas (like an F16) as with a yoke (MSFS civilian planes). Next to the right hotas I'd also need a mouse board. Ideally the system should be usable for sim racing as well (albeit very occasionally)
So I'm probably looking at a system with a 'bridge' in the middle (for the yoke or steering wheel) and a horizontal support bar at either side for the hotas/mouse  mounts  (like in the image attached). I was planning to use either 3060 or 4080 for most of the profiles (with the exception of the chair rails and the pedal rails, they can be 3030 or 4040 profiles)

Center hotas is optional for now (although I'd suspect it wouldn't be that hard to add it later on)
No need for a monitor stand (I'm playing in VR), no need either for any motion systems.

I haven't made any detailed design yet of my own, still in the discovery phase. Feel free to point me to some sites where I can get some ideas

Many thanks in advance !