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