Simpit builders: anyone ever do this...?

[Warty]

I used to have a man cave in which I had a full size simpit. Kids got bigger, so no more man cave, no more full size simpit. Moving to a desk, I built a little stand for the throttle. I push it under the desk when not in use. It's good (throttle is bolted down to it). But having built it, now I'm thinking I could have built it with a much bigger depth, so that: A) the button box is embedded into it not hanging from the desk, and B) it carries the PC. That way I free up the space used by the PC on the right of the desk, and I have a good way to cover up some junky looking wiring. A possible bonus idea would be to have an attachment point somewhere for the rudder/stick assembly (what you see in this pic is that lifted out of the full size simulator as is; will do something better later). I'm thinking less a replacement PC case, and more a trolley/stand for the entire PC. Maybe covered with wire mesh, not wood, on the side there, to allow for better circulation of air.

Has anybody done this? Or seen something on another forum?

Old:

Current:

[The Fugitive]

I had a simpit for years. Was fun and added immersion to the game.



Now I use a desk that is a bit more comfortable  In the first picture the gear is in the "stowed" position. I can do my drawing and editing with my computer as well as all those little things you find to do with your computer.





In the second picture the controls are rolled out and set in the "ready to play" mode. While I can still use the computer with the controls out, it makes it much easier when they are stowed. And the wife looks of it when its all put away and you look at the desk. "Happy wife, Happy life!"   

[zack1234]

 

[Warty]

Wise man! (I love the original simpit BTW. That must have been a lot of work on the curves!!)

Do you use heavy duty springs to get it so it pops up after you pull it out? Nice design.

I'm too attached to my center mounted stick (that doesn't sound right) to give it up, or I would copy that in a second.

I don't have a CAD program or anything, I usually do "designs" on bits of paper, but this is kind of what I'm thinking.... (Imagine the throttle counter sunk so that only the top of the base (and the lever of course) sticks up through the panel. Then the button box removed from it's box and mounted right in. With the PC sitting below, with a big grill panel to keep air moving. I don't really know anything about PC case design, or airflow, so I have no idea if this is going to cause temps to build up.



Not sure what to do about the stick/rudder. I think a metal plate under the entire thing might work just fine. pull the whole thing out to play, shove the whole thing back when done.

[mikeWe9a]

Not sure what to do about the stick/rudder. I think a metal plate under the entire thing might work just fine. pull the whole thing out to play, shove the whole thing back when done.

If by "whole thing," you include the side pedestal with throttle and especially your tower, putting a plate under that would make it very difficult to move in and out, as most of the weight will be on one side.  Also consider that you'll need play in your mouse, power, keyboard, video, etc., cables to allow the tower to relocate forward if you put it inside the throttle pedestal.  With a hardwood floor, you'll probably want to put some felt sliders or other scratch protection under your pedestal to make sure you don't scratch it up, particularly with the weight of the computer.  A separate sheet of masonite, possibly with a cork backing for scratch protection, might be what you're looking for to mount your stick/rudder framing.

Mike

[Warty]

That's what I meant, yeah. Good point about the weight, I hadn't considered the lopsided nature of that. I was planning on using felt sliders, so far they have worked out well on the current one. They prevent scratches, but unlike wheels, the stand is firm on the ground.

Masonite is an interesting idea! I think with the cork backing, the masonite might be thick enough to still put screws in from the button up, and (because of cork) not have the screw heads drag across the floor and scratch it. I was kind of thinking about trimming down a plastic floor/chair mat, but the attachment points would be a problem I think. Not to mention that poly isn't too fun to work with.

[Gman]

Heh, pic 2 in the OP - the good ol' Suncom HOTAS.  I have a couple still, none with with mod in that pic for the extensions, but they were an underappreciated set IMO, as they were very competitive price wise.

[The Fugitive]

Wise man! (I love the original simpit BTW. That must have been a lot of work on the curves!!)

Do you use heavy duty springs to get it so it pops up after you pull it out? Nice design.

I'm too attached to my center mounted stick (that doesn't sound right) to give it up, or I would copy that in a second.

I don't have a CAD program or anything, I usually do "designs" on bits of paper, but this is kind of what I'm thinking.... (Imagine the throttle counter sunk so that only the top of the base (and the lever of course) sticks up through the panel. Then the button box removed from it's box and mounted right in. With the PC sitting below, with a big grill panel to keep air moving. I don't really know anything about PC case design, or airflow, so I have no idea if this is going to cause temps to build up.

(Image removed from quote.)

Not sure what to do about the stick/rudder. I think a metal plate under the entire thing might work just fine. pull the whole thing out to play, shove the whole thing back when done.

Ya I dont do CAD either. Photoshop is about as deep as I go. Pencil and paper is easy to figure out 

On the simpit I made frame pieces that were about 8-10 inch apart, kinda like the ribs of a ship. Much the way they bild a plane. Then I layed slats down from front to back to connect all the frames. Then I "skinned" it with i/4 plywood. I cut the pieces to fit the curves and used the screws to look like my rivets, and the pieces as "panels". The keyboard tray was motorized and was turned on with the level that is hidden by the throttle. Looked good and I used it for a number years. Sold it for $200 when I decided to get rid of it. 

The set up I use now I built as well. First was the desk and the risers for the extra monitors and things so I wouldn't loose all my desk space. Then I built the controller setup. The picture below shows what it looks like just hanging down. The top hinges let it swing from the mounting frame, and the lower hinges allow it to pivot in the center so that it slides down and back to lay on the support arms when stowed away. I thought about putting a motor on that too but decided it wasn't worth the trouble. 

[yipi]

I always wanted to build one but now I have VR so I'm not sure I will do one now. I do 3D drafting and Rendering at work as well as Wood Working at home so I think I could do a nice one. The ones that were shown were nice.

[Nefarious]

I'm working on one now, will be using occulus with it, but will still build around a monitor. I'll post pics here soon.