The Haxxor pit is finally underway

[dkff49]

initial framing done.







closing in the ends











dash framed





This thing turned out to be a little bigger than I expected or planned to be how ever I added some storage spacing in the back to allow me to put my excess computer components in to keep the wife from reorganizing my stuff. It's coming along quite well and will include permanently mounted switches and knobs.

[The Fugitive]

Boy does that look a bit familiar!   

Looking good!!! Keep at it !

[james]

That is awsome, do yourself the biggest simpit build favor and put it on caster wheels. this way when it's time to tweak something you can make it easier on yourself. That looks like it's going to be pretty big but nice when finished. I'm almost through my build and now have to make the consoles bigger to fit a different throttle/ stick set up.

[ebfd11]

Looking sweet, but it wont look as good as my desk ...LOL

[Vulcan]

Looks like a lot of effort to climb in and out for food and a pee.

[zack1234]

You are insane

How do I convince the Mrs my life depends on me building one
 
 

[1701E]

Looks nice dkff, lot of nice handiwork there!

Looks like a lot of effort to climb in and out for food and a pee.

Gotta agree here though, not seeing a door anywhere, or am I blind?
Reason I didn't build one like that (ok main reason was my wood-working skills suck) was that to have an easy way in and out and still function nicely is extremely hard to do. Course I built mine to work for Racing primarily, then every-day use and flying.

[dkff49]

Thanks guys.

It's really not that hard to get out of. I was able to stand up in between the dash sides and step on seat and out, this being only a small portion of the number of steps I must take to get to food and relief facilities.

The only way I could convince the mrs to allow me to build was to agree to put it in basement, which thankfully is very dry.

I like the idea of using casters, I will have to put some thought into how to employ those. The issue being that the base is not that sturdy since it was planned to be directly on the floor and the most I would have to do is shim it in a few places due to the slightly uneven basement floor

To finish it off I plan to use body filler to smooth out the wood and get rid of the "grain look" that can come through the pain and to repair some of the splintering that happened with the plywood. Painting it will be done with an enamel paint to make it look good for as long as possible. I am thinking either something similar to a battleship gray or a green similar to the f6f skin (haven't really decided yet).

The challenge, increased comfort, and of course the feel of sitting in something like this were the big reasons I wanted to build one.

[caldera]

You are insane

How do I convince the Mrs my life depends on me building one
 
 

Tell her that it can also serve as your casket and she can spend your funeral benefit on shoes.


Looks good so far, Hax.  Not sure how you're gonna drag that up the stairs to my apartment. 

[morfiend]

Looks like a lot of effort to climb in and out for food and a pee.

 yup,I was going to say the same thing earlier but I had a slight glitch!!

    I have something similar Dave,but I used a bent wood chair instead of a car seat so I could mount everything to the chair itself.Like Vulcan says I left room to get in and out of the simpit,the pilot relief tube helps but you still need to get up to grab a drink outta the minibar!!!

  Looks good though,keep us informed on the progress.


   

[dkff49]

Thanks for all your help Fugitive. The pics and dimensions you sent me were a big help.

I finally have it where it is usable right now. The wiring is a mess and I still have a ways to go before I em even remotely ready to paint it but I will have to save some of that for down the road.







After using for a couple of hours, it doesn't seem too bad getting in and out of.

I am going to adding some switched to each side of the keyboard and possibly some push buttons behind the throttle to add to the controls. I will improve on the cable management once I get things kind of settled inside. I hope to fasten down the controls but not really sure how this is going to work out though. As mentioned earlier I also plan to paint after I get all the drilling and cutting out of the way and get some areas filled in with filler. As mentioned by james I also plan to add some casters to the build but not sure exactly how to incorporate that into the works yet.

This has been pretty interesting to build, with getting the dimension to work out for comfort and looks and still have a strong unit. Was fun as hell to do though.

[hyzer]

I am going to adding some switched to each side of the keyboard and possibly some push buttons behind the throttle to add to the controls. I will improve on the cable management once I get things kind of settled inside. I hope to fasten down the controls but not really sure how this is going to work out though.

That pit looks awesome Hax.  If you decide to use something like Velcro to hold down the controls use this Scotch brand fastener instead:

http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Heavy-Duty-Fasteners-Inches-RFD7091/dp/B00347A8GM

I have a throttle and stick mounted to shellacked plywood using 2 strips per.  Once fastened down they don't move at all, no play whatsoever.  And if you need to they can be pulled apart.   

[VonMessa]

Looks like a lot of effort to climb in and out for food and a pee.

Gatorade bottle.

Intercom to wife.

Fixed 

[ebfd11]

That single monitor looks SOOOOO lonely up there... LOL

Actually where is your cup holder for the beer LOL and the intercom system so you can holler to the wife to get you a cold beer??? LOL

Looks sweet sir ... when are you delivering it to my house????


LawnDart

[PFactorDave]

I would love to have a sim pit.  I would really enjoy building it and using it.  Unfortunately, the only spot in the house where I could get away with it would be in my little workshop in the basement.  But that's where I build my RC airplanes and I don't think I could stand to sacrifice my workshop.