Design a Racing Simulator From Scratch

If you're looking to learn how to build a more complex aluminum 80/20 design, this one is for you!

Building Your Dream Racing Simulator with Aluminum 8020

Hey there! I’m Eric, and today, I want to show you how to build a rock-solid racing simulator using aluminum 8020. If you’re into sim racing, you already know how essential a stable, customizable frame can be, and aluminum 8020 is perfect for that. Let’s dive into what makes it ideal and how you can start building your setup!

Why Aluminum 8020 Is Perfect for Sim Racing

Aluminum 8020 is a modular, industrial-strength building material that’s as sturdy as it is versatile. One of the biggest advantages is its lightweight yet highly durable structure—ideal for building frames that can handle the force and pressure that sim racing puts on them. Plus, with aluminum 8020’s adaptability, you can easily adjust your setup’s height, width, and depth to make everything feel custom-fit to you.

This material is designed to work with modular connectors, so it’s a bit like building with an advanced set of LEGO blocks. Every piece can be cut, aligned, and secured, allowing you to design exactly what you envision for your simulator.

Getting Started with Your Build

Before you start, I recommend planning your setup. Think about the space you’re working with, the specific equipment you’ll be mounting, and your ideal layout. Grab a tape measure and figure out the dimensions you’ll need for comfort and control—this includes the height of the steering wheel, the distance to your pedals, and the width for a sturdy base.

Once you have a design in mind, gather your essential tools. At the very least, you’ll need a wrench, screws, and a drill for the assembly process. Aluminum 8020 kits often come with the fasteners and connectors you’ll need, but make sure everything’s lined up and ready to go before you start.

Step-by-Step Assembly

  1. Build the Base: Start with the frame’s base. This is where you want to be particularly careful, as it’s the foundation of your entire simulator. Assemble the beams and make sure they’re level and aligned. Double-check all fastenings; a stable base is crucial, especially for keeping things steady during intense races.
  2. Assemble the Pedal and Seat Mounts: With the base done, you can move on to mounting the pedals and seat. Aluminum 8020 allows you to customize the exact placement, so you can ensure everything is within reach and comfortable. Adjust the angle and height of your pedals to match your natural leg positioning, and secure everything tightly.
  3. Construct the Wheel Mount: Now, it’s time to set up the steering wheel mount. Measure and position it to suit your ideal driving posture. Many racers like to have the wheel at chest height, slightly tilted upward. The beauty of aluminum 8020 is that you can try different heights and angles to find what feels most natural for you.
  4. Double-Check Stability and Reinforce Where Needed: Once your main components are assembled, go back and reinforce any spots that feel loose or unstable. Check all connectors, and make sure no part of the frame shifts or wobbles under pressure. If needed, add extra support beams to ensure your setup is rock-solid.

Fine-Tuning and Adjustments

After your build is complete, take a test drive! Sit in the cockpit and make any final adjustments to the positioning of your seat, pedals, and steering wheel. Aluminum 8020 makes it easy to make adjustments, so take advantage of the modularity to fine-tune everything to your preference. Small changes in angle or height can make a big difference in comfort and control.

Why Aluminum 8020 Changes the Game

One of the best things about aluminum 8020 is that it’s adaptable for future upgrades. Want to add a gear shifter? No problem. Looking to add monitors or extend the frame? You can easily expand and modify your setup without needing a complete rebuild. This flexibility means you can continue to evolve your racing simulator over time, just like the pros.

Building with aluminum 8020 is a rewarding way to get a high-quality, personalized sim racing experience. Follow these steps, be patient with the process, and soon, you’ll be racing with a setup that feels like an extension of you. Enjoy the build, and happy racing!

Ready to Play?

It's Free and Super Easy!

Make Something!

Questions?

Is this a downloadable app?
No! It all works on the browser. It works on your phone as well as your computer!

Is it free?
Yes the app is 100% free.

Can I save my design?
Yes! You can save your design in your account.

Can I share my design?
Yes! You'll have a unique URL for every design you save which you can send to anyone! They can then see or clone the design. They cannot edit your design. You can also delete it whenever you'd like.

What materials do you support?
Crafty currently have 1000 parts across
aluminum 8020, steel, wood, HVAC and PVC! Let us know if we're missing a part.

Where did the idea for this app come from?
I spent a year building an off grid farm and knew nothing about construction / plumbing / electrical work…
I saw that most people had to go the hardware store multiple times and many times they weren’t able to finish their work that day because the vendor didn’t have the part. So I thought if you can design your project beforehand, it will allow us to check for compatibility while you’re designing and then be able to send you all the parts! Much easier!

Can I connect PVC to wood, t-slot / aluminum 8020?
Yes. There are transition parts that allow you to connect PVC to wood or wood to aluminum 8020. If there is interest, we will start adding parts like motors and electrical components as well.

The idea for Crafty is to be a place where you can design your entire project with all of its components so when you want to get to building, all you need to do is order!

Do you have everything in stock?
No, not everything. We currently have about half of the parts and our goal is to little by little add more.
For the parts we don't have, we will give you a link for the provider that you can buy it from. Hopefully as the app gets more traction, we will start to carry more and more items so we can ship you everything in one set.

How do you deal with long and heavy parts (like 2x4s)?
When you have parts longer than 36" or of a certain kind (like lumber beyond a certain WxH), we just give you the dimension / exact length for you to go buy that at your local store. It doesn't make much sense to ship a 2x4 :)

Are you going to add more parts?
Yes. This current set of parts that you see on the app is our initial set. We just finished this version in late April 2023 so we’re listening to the feedback we get and will evolve the app to be the best that it can be for all of you!

Why not just use CAD?
You can! If you have all the parts downloaded already and are an expert in CAD software. Also, I would hope that your CAD software gives you a clean output of all the parts / their exact measurements.
What CAD software won't do is allow you to share the design online and allow others to see your design and specs.

Do you have tips I can follow for different materials?
Sure! Here are some basic concepts.
How to Use 80/20 Aluminum
How to Cut PVC Pipe
Can I Connect PVC Pipe with Metal Threads?
How to Connect PVC Pipe without Glue

Do you have any tutorials on how to use the app?
Yes please visit our YouTube Channel and learn about:
Crafty Amigo Tutorial: Design Your Woodworking Project!
Crafty Amigo Tutorial: How to design your DIY PVC Project!

Do you remember the first time you made something for yourself?

It’s such an empowering feeling.

Whether you're 8 or 80... have no experience building anything or you’re a veteran diyer...

Live in a tiny apartment or have a garage full of tools...

Anyone should be able to imagine → design → make things the way they think it should be done!