SPINNER/ STEERING WHEEL. Can it, has it been done?

[rackoon]

Ok, Ok, I know this might sound stupid, but hear me out.

    Why not mount the spinner in the front middle of the cp and find a way to mount a steering wheel to it. When neither is in use the spinner knob could have a cap placed over it. Or, have the spinner stem recessed.

   This idea seems so simple that it must already be in use.
Am I missing a mechanical problem that would not make this work.

   For example: I know that a steering wheel would probably break a spinner stem. But, why couldn't a steering wheel be modified to have a spinner mounted to its stem.
 Furthermore, the spinner could be mounted at say 30 degrees (maybe) in order for the steering wheel to be angled properly.

    If this idea is stupid, just dismiss this post as the ramblings of a delusional game freak who sat to close to the TV as a chiled. (actually we rarely had a TV because it was seen as an INSTRUMENT OF THE MAN, USED TO CONTROL YOU.) 
    Sounded funny as a kid who just wanted to watch Scooby-Doo. But now! after the epic trial of (Scooby V's the state of California) and the landmark legislation that followed, I guess cartoons do have subliminal messages telling me to vote for Nixon as king.

    I THINK SOMEONE SPIKED MY COFFEE. OH, WAIT IT WAS ME.

[Stingray]

It's been done. Someone on ebay sells spinners with a steering wheel attachment pretty often. I'm too lazy to search up a link for you.

-S

[Tiger-Heli]

Ok, Ok, I know this might sound stupid, but hear me out.

    Why not mount the spinner in the front middle of the cp and find a way to mount a steering wheel to it. When neither is in use the spinner knob could have a cap placed over it. Or, have the spinner stem recessed.

Did you post this in the spinner thread and then post it here, or did you post it here and then add it to the spinner thread.

   This idea seems so simple that it must already be in use.
Am I missing a mechanical problem that would not make this work.

Probably, it's not an original idea (I remember it years ago, and don't remember anyone actually doing it.)

   For example: I know that a steering wheel would probably break a spinner stem. But, why couldn't a steering wheel be modified to have a spinner mounted to its stem.
 Furthermore, the spinner could be mounted at say 30 degrees (maybe) in order for the steering wheel to be angled properly.

Lots of steering wheels were geared whereas most spinners were not, but I don't know if that's the biggest obstacle.

[oldsage]

.....
And i thought i was delusional...
....


...Anyway, it sounds cool, but has a couple of very obvious flaws:
How would you connect the wheel???
I wanna see you try... That would be a nice patent if you could think of one...
And even if you manage that, playing spinner games when the spinner is mounted at 30 degrees on the edge of your cp, isn't that much different from playing with a keyboard...
You could do it, it won't be worth it...

BTW, the first sentence is aimed at your last paragraphs...

[Chris]

The biggest obstacle is that spinners have very narrow shafts not likely to hold up to the weight of an arcade wheel or the stress of use as a wheel.    You would have to use a light plastic wheel and use it gently.

--Chris

[Stingray]

The biggest obstacle is that spinners have very narrow shafts not likely to hold up to the weight of an arcade wheel or the stress of use as a wheel.    You would have to use a light plastic wheel and use it gently.

--Chris

Fairly sure that's how the one I refered to in my earlier post works.

-S

[Chris]

If someone wanted to try this, the playground steering wheels they sell at Home Depot might be light enough for a try...

[Tiger-Heli]

It's been done. Someone on ebay sells spinners with a steering wheel attachment pretty often. I'm too lazy to search up a link for you.

-S

He's off E-bay now - Here's the link (not an endorsement): http://www.mamespinner.com/

[NoBonus]

If someone wanted to try this, the playground steering wheels they sell at Home Depot might be light enough for a try...

I saw those things... they are cool! 

[namedos]

Yeah but they have been out of stock for the last four months.

[RayB]

I've always thought the same thing. Games like Pole Position use free-spinning optic wheels, much like a Tempest spinner. I don't know which ones would use a geared system?

[sc1103]

Hmm Ive got an arkanoid spinner around here somewheres...should see if that mite hold up

[Nannuu]

NY_in_TX did something similar on his.  It is mounted on the front of the panel but there is no reason it couldn't be put on top.  Problem is, you'd have to seriously modify your spinner to fit the shaft.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,7170.0.html

[Tiger-Heli]

I don't know which ones would use a geared system?

Indy Heat, at least that I know of.

[seanp]

I've been thinking of how to do something like this.  Let me see if I can explain my idea.  You have a spinner with a rubber knob, 1.5" in diameter.  You get a small steering wheel (I'm thinking ones like the super sprint cabs), and you attach (glue? weld?) a connector bracket that has a circular 1.5" hole and with clips or bolts that attach it to the knob.  This way you can use the regular spinner for spinner games, and then throw on a couple of wheels for racing games without too much modification.  Any thoughts on why this wouldn't work??

-Sean

[RayB]

Any thoughts on why this wouldn't work??
-Sean

Yeah, it's already been said that the axis for a spinner isn't strong enough to withstand the torque that would be applied if a wheel were attached (and the subsequent use of the wheel).

I think the solution here is to find a Pole Position or Sprint wheel, and then design it such that you can remove the steering wheel and attach a knob. Kinda same thing you're talking about, but backwards. This way you have the strength needed for when it's used with the steering.

[melarky]

is there any reason not to make the shaft bigger (obviously one would have to fabricate their own spinner), but other than that, is there a technical reason?  Does going thicker make it not spin long enough or does it feel strange with a knob?  Just curious as to why it would matter.

[Xiaou2]

 Well, the thicker the shaft - the less it will spin freely -  and,  more importantly... you will need a Lot more weight (like 4times as much!) added to the flywheel to make it feel weighty and correct.   

 I actually made a spinner from a thick rod and rollerblade bearings once.


  As for the comment about making a light wheel... its just not gonna feel like a wheel then.   It will feel like spinning a feather arround - and wont travel with as much speed and momentum.

 As said, if the shaft is too thin, and the wheel too heavy and or large, you will most likly bend the shaft from the leverage that is generated.

 Also as said, very important to use a geared system for higher resolution.

 Mounting a knob to a arcade wheel will proove very hard to spin as a knob, most likely..

[nostrebor]

Yeah, it would be harder to get the spin to feel right with a bigger shaft. But then you could use this:

Well, the link is not working so here is a model # and pic. Summit Racing Model# SUM-G7857

[Quarters]

Why not rig it with an elastic or other band like this? This would not put as much strain on the spinner shaft. The Wheel should be detachable so the spinner could be used normally as well. Some spinner knobs come with a groove that looks made for such a purpose.

[rackoon]

I have given this some thought and have come to the conclusion that a metal plate would needed to be installed with circular slot with recessed bearings around the stem.
   These bearings would take the abuse of wild game play and the stem wouldn't have any force on it at all.

 This seems like pretty complicated soluton. I think a detachable PC steering wheel that plugs into the usb port would be the best solution because a steering wheel needs to be mounted vertically.

[elvis]

Why not rig it with an elastic or other band like this? This would not put as much strain on the spinner shaft. The Wheel should be detachable so the spinner could be used normally as well. Some spinner knobs come with a groove that looks made for such a purpose.

That's what I'd do.  That way you can use the biggest, baddest, most heavily reinforced wheel you want that will take any abuse, and know that your spinner is safe and sound from harm.

You'd need to ensure that you've got a 1:1 ratio on your shank radii of course.

[IntruderAlert]

Instead of trying to mount a steering wheel on a spinner
why not take a steering wheel control and make the wheel interchangable with a spinner knob?
Then you won't have to worry about the durability

Anyone ever tried?

[dphirschler]

Have you ever played Tempest with the steering wheel?  It's fun.  Maybe just forget the spinner and have a steering wheel full time.


Darryl