Hello, this is my first time on this site. I've seen a few people post their own custom racing wheels before and I would like to create my own as well. My idea was to make a model of one of the earlier Williams BMWs, most likely the FW24, along with a custom base/mount, and pedals. Would 3d program would be the best to use to make a models? I have a good amount of experience using SketchUp. Also once the process of making a 3d model is complete would a printer just print each piece out with the material I want? Is there any electronic engineering that would need to be done my part like with using the buttons or having functional display screen? Lastly, is there anything I'm missing when it comes to pursuing this project? Thanks.
Everything is possible but you do need a bit of "know how" before going in on task like this. Both electrically and hard wear wise. There are several good forum threads both in iRacing, rfactor2, and in forums for DIY hard wear for sims in general. Just search for "Custom steering wheel or DIY steering wheel". If you feel it is to much to do, you have the plug and play versions from several manufactures, but be prepared to pay out of your nose as they tend to be quit expensive Here are but a few: http://www.ricmotech.com/Direct_Drive_Wheel_s/1893.htm http://www.simfai-solutions.com/gt-formula-sim-wheel http://www.sim-racing.co.uk/sim-racing-steering-wheel/ http://simracinghardware.com/ http://simracinghardware.com/product-category/custom-products/ http://www.sammaxwellcustoms.com/gallery.php
Leo bodnar has nice circuit boards made for this kind of stuff. I use his BBI-32 for my H-shifter, Seq-shifter and handbrake and a BU836A in my steering wheel.