Steering wheel

You know, a basic steering wheel setup with a few buttons would be fairly easy to build.  X, Y axis is the most basic with X for steering and Y+ for throttle and Y- for brake or visa-versa.  Then, a few buttons for functions like shifting/horns/etc. or even a simple two position "sequential" shift lever off to the side.  Many race wheels had this.

Here's the Ben challenge, though:  build a force feedback racing wheel with clutch and all separate axis.  Steering, throttle, brake, clutch would make 4 total axis.  You could have shift up/down paddles for sequential shifting and an H gated shifter with about 6 or 8 positions for manual transmission shifting.  All of the control inputs being interpreted somehow and sent via USB for hooking to your PC, of course.  The force feedback would be the most challenge by far since you have to have a good software driver to make it work.  I imagine a more basic 2 axis and some buttons setup would be much easier to write a driver for.  The gated shifter would be somewhat complex mechanically, but entirely possible to DIY with the equipment and knowledge benheck has.

A mass produced example of this setup is the Logitech G25/G27 race wheels and Fanatec racing wheels.  I figured I'd up the ante since Ben's always looking for a challenge.

You know, a basic steering wheel setup with a few buttons would be fairly easy to build.  X, Y axis is the most basic with X for steering and Y+ for throttle and Y- for brake or visa-versa.  Then, a few buttons for functions like shifting/horns/etc. or even a simple two position "sequential" shift lever off to the side.  Many race wheels had this.

Here's the Ben challenge, though:  build a force feedback racing wheel with clutch and all separate axis.  Steering, throttle, brake, clutch would make 4 total axis.  You could have shift up/down paddles for sequential shifting and an H gated shifter with about 6 or 8 positions for manual transmission shifting.  All of the control inputs being interpreted somehow and sent via USB for hooking to your PC, of course.  The force feedback would be the most challenge by far since you have to have a good software driver to make it work.  I imagine a more basic 2 axis and some buttons setup would be much easier to write a driver for.  The gated shifter would be somewhat complex mechanically, but entirely possible to DIY with the equipment and knowledge benheck has.

A mass produced example of this setup is the Logitech G25/G27 race wheels and Fanatec racing wheels.  I figured I'd up the ante since Ben's always looking for a challenge.