Most durable Steering Wheel?

[alfredolvera]

Hi guys,

I'm looking into building a racing arcade cab and I'm researching into possible racing wheels. But, as I learned with my regular arcade (and my mashy-buttons drunk friends), going with the highest quality parts isn't the same as going with the most durable and abuse-ready ones.

I was looking into the high end Logitechs, like the G920 and such, but I don't know if it will be able to withstand that kind of abuse.

Do you have any recommendations for a Steering Wheel system that is abuse-ready for drunk people (as in "using all their strength")?

Thanks!!

[telonio]

I don't have any experience with the high cost Logitech wheels but I really doubt it if they withstand heavy abuse. For "using all their strengh" I suggest you get a Sega arcade control dashboard like Daytona's or Sega Rally. I know that they are hard to find but, these have metal shafts and bases, so no matter how hard you use the wheel you won't damage anything. Connect a low cost Logitech wheel in the end of the metal shaft like I did and you'll be happy. I can even stand from the Daytona's plastic seat while holding only the wheel.

[Howard_Casto]

I would suggest finding new friends that aren't drunk all the time, but that's just me. 

[shaolindrunkard]

The Logitech wheels are surprisingly well made, however nothing will ever hold a candle IMO to real arcade hardware. For my projects, now totaling 5 arcade driving cabs, I am using the Happ active ffb wheel assembly.



I'm not using the FFB as my set up is an edge case since I'm using an xbox 360 controller as the guts of my wheel, but I have heard that you can hack a Logitech wheel to work with this mechanism FFB and all.

As Telonio said the Sega arcade control panels from games like Daytona are also super heavy duty and can be hacked to work pc/consoles

[Laythe]

If "drunk people can't break it" is the specification, I think you'll have to machine something out of steel.  Use big ball bearings and thrust washers on both ends of an integral collar.  On the dashboard end, the shaft can drive whatever electronics you want, once safely protected from the drunken hijinks by big fat steel travel stops.

[BadMouth]

Original arcade parts are your only choice.  They were made to stand up to the abuse of the general public, day after day.

[Titchgamer]

I would suggest finding new friends that aren't drunk all the time, but that's just me.

^ this!

Or at least have respect for your property when using it!

Anyone throwing their full weight into a gaming wheel is obviously a tool.

[Mike A]

Yeah. Your friends are idiots. Time to upgrade.

[BadMouth]

When I had a bar in my basement, the issue I had was people using the Logitech MOMO wheel to steady themselves when getting in and out of the seat.
They weren't putting all their weight on it, but it still took a toll.  The wheel doesn't feel as tight and precise as it did originally.  Vertically, it has some play in it.

[telonio]

No offenese mate but if your friends are drunk all the time, then abusing the wheel would be the last thing on your mind right?

[n3wt0n]

Real arcade grade stuff will stand up much better than the Logitech stuff. I own both and can easily tell you that the arcade stuff is made to take a beating while the Logitech wheels are plastic just about everywhere.

[BadMouth]

I never expected the driving cab sub to get this preachy.  At least not about something unrelated to controls. 

I don't party any more, but those years were fun and have their place. 

[Laythe]

I've seen a broken Daytona wheel.  It can be done.   

[Howard_Casto]

I don't party any more, but those years were fun and have their place. 

Drinking certainly has it's place.  Getting drunk doesn't and regularly getting drunk is dangerous for all parties involved.  I can't speak for everyone, but the reason I replied like I did is because he seemed to be almost bragging about the fact that his friends are regularly drunk.... that isn't something to brag about, it's something to be concerned about. 

I think it's pretty darn hard to build something "drunk proof" anyway.  Even if you use arcade parts if the cabinet isn't super rigid a heavy enough person could rip the wheel straight out of the plywood.