Dmod's Driveshaft (Updated 05/23: Carpet Install)

[Dmod]

Hey Lew,

Didn't seem to be a lot of traction on this thread so I guess I let it drop off a bit.   

Between my burgeoning pinball obsession and the fact that the wheel was playable, progress has definitely slowed down, but I've got the gearshift integrated into the control panel now and the CP has been covered with fabric-lined vinyl.  I took some pictures while I was doing it and will try to get some updated pics up soon.

My kids love the wheel (especially the five year old) and mostly play Cisco Heat (MAME) since it's easy for them.  Other games I've been playing are Crazy Taxi and NFS Underground.

Still need to paint, carpet, and T-mold.  Probably finish it up after the holidays.

[mountain]

I am sure he's busy "testing" it 

[Dmod]

Well I finally stopped playing games long enough this weekend to move the seat back into the garage and finish glueing up the last few remaining pieces.

Now that a number of later driving games have become playable with overclocking the E8400 I have new motivation to upgrade my PC and get this thing completed.

Finishing up the caulking, bondo, and sanding today.

Abridged To Do List:
1.  Complete Paint Prep
2.  Prime and Paint
3.  Install auto carpeting
3.  Order T-Molding
4.  Cut plexi covers for seat headrest and back

Hi Ho... Hi Ho... 

[Dmod]

One step backward... two steps forward.

Disassembled, caulked and primed.

[SNAAKE]

[melarky]

Wow, what a cool idea, I decided to pop in this thread to see if there was any cool new projects, and I'm glad I did, keep the pics and updates coming, it's looking great.

[Dmod]

Well, it's slow and it's a mess but it is progress...

[Dmod]

No doubt it will need a bit more touchup, but not bad for one weekend.

Reassembly!

[Dmod]

Next up!

[SNAAKE]

hey you have any kind of blueprints or whatever ? I wanna build one of these too. 

[Dmod]

hey you have any kind of blueprints or whatever ? I wanna build one of these too. 

Thanks Snaake.  I'll clean up and post the Sketchup file.  That has the 3D models and is pretty close to what I ended up with.  You should be able to extract all the dimensions from that.  I'm happy to answer any questions if you need additional info.

With the long weekend, I'm hoping to get close to wrapping this project up and turning my attention to my PC upgrade.  I received the T-molding yesterday and bought some aluminum trim for the flooring.  Floor carpet has already been cut and installed.

I'm probably going to order some illuminated buttons for the CP.  They're not really necessary because of all the buttons on the wheel but the wheel buttons are small and not very intuitive.  Also the CP could use a little more bling.

Right now I'm thinking four buttons.  Three buttons on the left:  CREDIT, START, EXIT, and a TURBO/BOOST button on the right near the shifter.  Since I have some leftover buttons from my cab, I should be able to get everything functional and then just pop in the new buttons when they arrive.

I'll post some more pics throughout the weekend.

[Dmod]

A few more updated pics with the carpet installed.  Carpet is black automotive carpet from Parts Express.  It's held onto the base with the industrial strength Velcro show in an earlier post.  I just put down the hook side.  The carpet loops seem to cling pretty well to it.

I had originally planned on using the clear plastic right angle pieces to cover the edge of the carpet but I had trouble getting a clean cut on the carpet edge which would show through the clear plastic.

Instead I opted for some aluminum corners I bought at Lowes and cut to length with a handsaw and mitre box.  This yielded a nice finished edge.

[Dmod]

To hide the cable that connects the steering wheel and the pedals, I bought this plastic channel from Lowes.  It comes in white with an adhesive strip on the back.  It takes a few coats of paint to convert to black.  I tried to get a picture of it but they all came out a bit blurry.

This will be cut to length and run along the right back corner.

[Santoro]

What a great idea, I love it. 

Nice job!

[jtslade]

Did this project ever get finished.

I'm just asking because my next project is a Arcade conversion of a sit down driving game (keeping original intact as well as adding mame box)

I have a Logitech G25 to use.

Just interested in everyone's different approaches.

[Dmod]

Yes, it's finished.  I know I said this before but I'll try to get some pictures up this weekend.

[drventure]

Very nice! Can't believe I've missed this build.