R-Pod MkII Racing Simulator: Now VR Enabled

[SpaceHedgehog]

Top after filler:



Top after sanding:



Bottom after filler:



Bottom after sanding:



Still a little bit to do but the vinyl is going on tomorrow and I'll permanently apply the side panels. Hurrah, then it's on to the dashboard proper.

[Superfrog]

It's a MASTERPIECE 

I also never seen before a project setup in stages 
Normally you build and paint and setup the whole thing at once, but seeing every piece at the time finished is refreshing 

I'm still holding on 

 

[SpaceHedgehog]

Cheers superfrog 

I knew it was going to be a fairly complicated build so I thought to break it down into multiple parts rather than just go at it as a single build. It put a bit of structure around the process and made sure I didn't end up with too many pieces lying around unassembled. The phases do overlap as you can see, particularly where they are dependent (e.g. front section / dashboard). The only thing which was completely stand alone was the shifter pod.

I've been committed to taking and posting as many pictures of progress as I can but have dispensed with about half of them, concentrating on what is visual progress. I wanted to capture the whole build and remind myself later of the effort which went into it!

[SpaceHedgehog]

With the remaining filler sanded down ad a few extra spots re-done, it was time to apply the vinyl. Two hands are better than one for larger, more complex  surfaces. Before starting, it goes without saying that the area should be inspected very carefully for debris. Typically, I will is a duster and then brush with my hands.

Line the vinyl up and push it firmly around the first edge. It's a very important step to ensure there are no bubbles. All the places where I've applied previously haven't developed any. Note: 90 decree angles are very difficult and typicaly I will try and avoid that or use a light chamfer to help it along.

Step 1: line the vinyl up and negotiate the first edge:



Step 2: carefully draw back the backing paper and smooth the vinyl on:



Step 3: continue to cover the piece, ensuring to press firmly around any remaining edges:



Step 4: rough trim excess to allow the final trim to be easier:



Step 5: get the tools ready, a decent flat length of wood strip and a sharp knife:



Step 6: work in sections to make the process easier:



Step 7: complete all the sides:



On close inspection, it looks to have gone on very well with no bumps or air bubbles.

[emphatic]

Nice work, I'm useless with it comes to applying overlays etc.

[SpaceHedgehog]

Vinyl can be a bit difficult to work with sometimes, especially the thin stuff. This is thicker which seems to help.

I've painted the outside face of the front to ensure that no MDF is visible should there be any gap:



The left side piece is now in place with the wiring for the LEDs fed through the dash section. Close-up of the fit:



Profile:



It's looking decidedly meaner imho.

[SpaceHedgehog]

Second side has been attached:



The dashboard will fit over the top section. I've made it nice and wide so I can fit lots of switches and extra bits:



Still deciding whether to attach the grille. I quite like plain ...

[PL1]

Impressive as always, SH.   

Meant to ask this much earlier, but am I the only one that keeps expecting to see SH install a second tow loop to balance/compliment the existing one?   


Scott

[Superfrog]

Only thing I miss is good looking headlights 

I'm very jealous about this very nice project, and even dear to think about the budget 

Your the 

[SpaceHedgehog]

I was debating this myself Scott - not that it looks at all like a car (a vehicle of some description, maybe), I've gone with one as this is what is typically fitted. It's also an asymmetrical build so that clinched it for me.

Not quite headlights Superfrog but some progress on that front.

I bought one of these to control the lighting:



Completed the lighting for the wiring (hot glue gun will be used to make all the wiring secure):



Side:



Top (this will be masked considerably by the monitor hood so only a thin slice of light comes through - can you slice light?):



Nose:



It looks like a solaruim in there ... best get some tanning lotion ...

Edit: Wheel back on ... back in business



Excuse me while I go vrooom vrooom ...

[emphatic]

Excuse me while I go vrooom vrooom ...

You're so worth it! Holy cow.

[Superfrog]

I would say, don't vroom to long because I wanna see the dashboard coming along 

Hop you drive pole positions with this beauty 

[Minwah]

Great project, looks really good, well done!

Look forward to seeing it done.

[SpaceHedgehog]

Thanks 

Yes, I am continuing on the dashboard now Superfrog!

Started on the dashboard top panel. This is what I call a 4 hour piece of wood.

Cutouts to allow the piece to slot in:



Beveling on the front face:



Extra depth to avoid the CSW wheel base interfering with the panel:



Curved around the CSW base to ensure it's visible:



The whole piece will be covered in leather material. The back will be hidden by the monitor hood.

[SpaceHedgehog]

Without a doubt, the most difficult part of the whole build, upholstering the dash ... It took about 2 hours to get this on. I almost gave up, twice. The staples will be hidden by the monitor cover.

Fully covered:



I'll need to epoxy the material to the edges.

In place:

[emphatic]

  Looks great. No chance it'll come loose (the epoxy'd bits), right?

[SpaceHedgehog]

Cheers    The underside is staple city, just the edges glued with epoxy. I used the same stuff on the top of the shifter pod panel and it's holding really solidly. The carpet spray glue didn't hold it so I had to redo with epoxy.

[ChanceKJ]

*SHUDDER* upholstering something with epoxy. You sir are a braver man than I.  Looks really good, definitely a well thought out attack at covering it. 

[SpaceHedgehog]

Thanks ChanceKJ. Yes, I completely underestimated the difficulty behind covering the panel. The epoxy is holding things nice and firmly at the edges. No chance of it lifting.





Also just purchased the Derek Speare Designs P1 which I'll de-case and fit to the dashboard panel:

[SpaceHedgehog]

Most of this morning was spent finishing off the dash top plate and designing the dash panel. I also rough cut one of the sides for the monitor hood. It still needs quite a bit of work yet:



I made a template for the dash panel which took much longer than expected and then cut both of them out:



The lower part will have a vinyl R-Pod logo:



And will be covered in real carbon fibre:

[BadMouth]

It's coming together nicely!
(as expected)

[SpaceHedgehog]

Thanks BadMouth 

I've finished the side pieces for the monitor hood, there's only a limited amount you can do with a cover:





They need a little bit more work before filling, sanding and painting ...

[SpaceHedgehog]

I've cut the internal rests for the monitor hood panels. I'll use 6mm MDF for the remaining parts:





I'll also need to cut some braces for the insides as the material is thin and I want to add some strength to the structure.

[SpaceHedgehog]

Taking my time as usual (also suffering with a detox after finding I have an intolerance to coffee - have given up for the last 5 days and am suffering badly funny coloured tongue and mild shakes ).

Made the first panel for the top. This has an access hole for TrackIR cabling (can't stand seeing cables - let's make a feature out of it):



I'll be making an enclosure for the top where the transmitter will sit.

Split convoluted sheathing to connect the two:

[emphatic]

Personally, I think that kind of cable management is (if not uglier than) as ugly as the actual cables. I think it'd look very slick if you used some kind of low profile wall type cable management and run it tight against the back of your screen.

[SpaceHedgehog]

It'd be difficult to get it all snug to the monitor as it would have to go around a square bit! I'm quite taken with the sheathing tbh - it'll look better once the top box is in-place. Too late now anyway, all the pieces are cut



Now to start assembling ...

[SpaceHedgehog]

Glue time. Epoxy and wood glue down the sides for good measure:



Welcome to my table of mess btw.

[SpaceHedgehog]

With all the focus on the front and the dash, I'd completely forgotten about the right side panel for the seat base:



I'd redone it all a couple of weeks ago and forgotten about it (there have been bits lying around all over the place). I got around to cutting the mesh, acrylic artwork and backing board:



Just loose assembled at the moment. I'll get the hot glue gun out and then glue and screw it together:




Edit: Odd, final picture wasn't showing ...

[SpaceHedgehog]

Well, my deadline to finish this cab was today - looks like I've missed it but still have 3 days to go before work beckons. I know I won't get to finish the dashboard layout as I've only just ordered the DSD button box. Hopefully I can set everything up so I just have that to do and stop boring you all with all these updates

Finished attaching the outer 2 pieces of the monitor hood:



Looks like I was a little off with the top piece. Nothing that a bit of filler can't resolve:

[SpaceHedgehog]

Test fit (it's just hanging off the posts at the moment so isn't lined up perfectly):



I've left room to fit an aluminium bar at the bottom but I cant' help thinking it needs something to perk it up a little - I've bought another sheet of acrylic for a small r-pod logo cutout panel (new Batman pictures in the background ):

[SpaceHedgehog]

As the main rig build is drawing to a conclusion (as is my holiday), today I will be taking a diversion and start on the accessories:

1. Amp and fan unit:

Shelf 1 - Amplifier
Shelf 2 - Fan
Cable cavity - Hide all the unsightly cables and power strips

2. Mouse and keyboard unit

Shelf 1: Cavity for shoes
Shelf 2: Mouse surface and recess for cup
Keyboard mount - haven't finalised the design on this yet

3. Accessory wall plate

Headphone hook
Hat hook
Glove shelf

The hooks / shelves will be similar to something I made for my PC:

Take some coat hangers and bend them to shape:



Make a backing board and insert the wire into it:



Attach it to the wall:

[SpaceHedgehog]

Measured, cut and flush trimmed 8 side panels for the amp and keyboard/mouse racks:

[SpaceHedgehog]

The first side piece for the amp unit has been cut. I don't want to go too fancy with this, the rig needs to be the centrepiece really. A hole has been cut in the side for some interest and also to allow air to circulate.

Rough cut:



Flush trimmed:

[SpaceHedgehog]

The 4 side pieces have been cloned. Time for some food ...

[SpaceHedgehog]

Panels attached together (double width like everything else) and beveled:



Close-up:

[Superfrog]

That's a LOT of wood 

[ChanceKJ]

That's a LOT of wood 

Boom, Phrasing.

[SpaceHedgehog]

I need more wood 

Made some shelves and blanking plates:

[SpaceHedgehog]

Finished cutting all the pieces and have screwed the frame together. The blanking panes are just stuck on with tape for now:

[ChanceKJ]

Tell me, is the fan to provide a realistic wind hitting your face as you drive open top vehicles? Cause I mean, that's practically all your missing here.......