DIY PVC Sim Racing Rig For Under $200 by Inside Sim Racing

www.isrtv.com presents our second DIY sim racing rig build. This time Jessica Lopez hosts the show and assists Shaun "The Builder" Cole as he uses PVC to build a full size sim racing rig for under $200.
For this show Shaun purchased $130 worth of materials and is using the same seat we used for the Deathmobile (DIY Wood Rig). Presenting our second DIY sim racing rig build. This time Jessica Lopez hosts the show and assists Shaun "The Builder" Cole as he uses PVC to build a full size sim racing rig for under $200.
For this show Shaun purchased $130 worth of materials and is using the same seat we used for the Deathmobile (DIY Wood Rig). Some say that PVC isn't rigid or strong enough to build a sim rig out of. We're going to put that myth to rest.
Part 2 will be out very soon with the fully painted PVC Sim Racing rig by SIMUL8R and review with Jessica and Shaun Cole. We'll also have some great bloopers to include with that show.
Thanks to SIMUL8R for his plans at our forums : goo.gl/MGNSc9

[@geordiegallant3415]

One trick you can do is dry fit your fittings and then take a perment marker and make two lines on the fittings. When you go to glue the fitting just line them up and you know they will be straight.

[@leejohnson7293]

Exactly

[@ShakirinVEVO]

Good idea, thx dude

[@loganearnhardt9392]

advice: before you pulled it apart from mock up, you should have made marks on the joints so you wouldn't be concerned with alignment when glueing

[@williamdiego7218]

10 years later and this rig is still kicking butt, hope y’all are doing great. Thanks for the video

[@SwervedUpWest]

Ik im late to the video, but where do you guys get your pvc from? I went to home depot, lowes, and ace, and the price of all the materials was around 300 bucks? I might aswell order a metal one? Where do you get yours from? Thank you

[@eriklarson9137]

@@SwervedUpWest The video as you mentioned was 11 years ago. Remember COVID? The prices of everything skyrocketed. Lol.

[@justinmills2360]

instead of glue, once put together throw a 3/4" self tapper in all the fittings as set screws for the pipe. this way you can take it apart and reassemble if needed.

[@Detroit_Q]

I'm going to build this rig but add a step. Once everything is together for the dry fit, I am going to mark a line at every connection. That way when I put it together with the glue I can quickly match them to get the correct angle. It will surely help make sure everything is straight.

[@guitarjunky87]

Use a sharpie on the joints during mock-up to ensure alignment...

[@robertlindsay3188]

Sweet little build , thanks. I turned mine into a 2dof sim with DC motors for less than 600 more dollars. So for under 1000 dollars I have a pvc rig with dc motion to match a simx unit for speed and feel. Thanks guys for sharing

[@DJHeroMasta]

I clicked on this for the wrong reason but stayed for the right one. Thanks for the video!

[@fragdad]

Just a quick tip from and old pipe fitter. When you do your dry set up. Use a sharpe pen and mark the pipe and fitting. This will give you a guide when you a guide when you come to your glueing stage.

[@ssrknivesandguns8741]

IF SHE WASNT THERE, I NEVER WOULD HAVE WATCHED! LOL!

[@PECOSO0]

LOL...IKR...Hahahahahaha

[@darthmojo6348]

Me too

[@Mulhim966]

100% Agree

[@mark2220]

Riggs I pitty you, you're gonna be alone for a long time.

[@1975riggs]

@@mark2220 youre right my friend!

[@RogueSnowManOG]

I know this was posted some time ago and I haven't read all the comments, but when you dry fit everything together put a pencil mark on the joints so when you glue it all together all you have to is match up the marks and are less likely to have alignment issues

[@alec7568]

The great thing about a pcv piping rig is that you can build it with nothing more than a handsaw, a screwdriver and your own two hands.

[@johnparker1290]

If you'd like something that looks slicker Google 'PVC furniture fittings' - there are a load of PVC options out there (adjustable angle joints, table mounts, and lots of other fixtures not available for plumbing in clear and a variety of colors).

[@DEVILSFPV]

I build lots of PVC stuff. Glue the inside tips of like the T ,elbow and the out side of the pipe. It will give you a little more play and twisting time on the joints

[@vartkez187]

PVC fittings usually have stoppers so the pipes don't push in too far. You're not supposed to bang them in like that you're just supposed to put it in by hand, when you bang them like that you can push past the stopper. I used to work at a plumbing supply warehouse.

[@Eth3realwarrior]

These have been popping up in my feed lately. Nostalgia 100%!

[@svtcontour]

I'm going to build mine out of wood. Cheaper... plus I was distracted by the hottie LOL

[@svtcontour]

+Aus Wrangler hahahah at first I was like whats he talking about and then I realized. LOL funny ;)

[@danekinsey9375]

Ok first if you want to build this project, lets talk a little about the material PVC or (poly vinyl chloride) this material uses solvent cement to WELD not glue the pipe together it actually BONDS the two pieces together. When you glue these fittings together and wish it to hold your weight, then there's some things to know. PVC needs both fitting and pipe ends covered with glue to the dept of the fitting itself, Red hot glue is a good choice it will allow you to adjust the fittings just fine. I'm a plumber and use this stuff everyday witch is why i'm building this project myself. Also the pipe and fittings you buy are also important, first there's two kinds of the pipe that look like the pipe there showing you, the first is PVC DWV witch is a cell-core pipe meaning the center of the pipe is made up of little cells or bubbles surrounded by two solid sheets of pvc, this kind of pipe has very little structural stability. The other is PVC pressure pipe this is a solid core PVC pipe and is allot tougher i would use this kind of pipe The thickness is gauged in SCH 40 80 the higher the number the thicker the pipe the pipe there showing is SCH40 the 80 is gray in color, 40 is white. So if your going to do this DIY use presser pipe and fittings(solid core) SCH 40 i think there using 2" pipe, and glue the pipe a good solid 1 1/2 onto the pipe and into the fitting before assembly this will provide a good surface to surface bond and allow for adjustment it also a good idea to mark the pipe with a pencil after dry-fitting so you can pre assemble some larger pieces first Hope this helps some people attempting this build. Come fly with me at Warthunder.com my call sign TheLZ i use my DIY PVC Flight sim and with the advent of Oculus Rift to the game oh my GOD its so cool, and while driving need for speed Shift well just stick me im done and Gone to heaven. Dane AZ,

[@tech-78]

Thank you for the usful info, I definitely learned something new.

[@robant7899]

Hi Dane. Did you do a duel use pvc rig? I’m interested in that with the emphasis on flight before driving. If you had pics somewhere I’d love to see it. Thanks!

[@MrOnlineHelper]

PVC GLUE must have constant pressure applied before it dries, otherwise the pipe and fitting separate from each other. Also the pipe must primed....

[@warlok9]

for what they are doing you don't need primer, no water tight seal needed. but yeah, it's frustrating watching them struggle with the PVC and glue. they should have marked every dry fitting with lines before disassembly. And like you said, use lots of glue (helps the pipe slip in easier) and hold the joint together for a minute after glueing.

[@wake2skate1]

I made my rig out of pvc I screwed mine together so I could make adjustments if needed

[@abdulazizalshaikh1949]

Wanna share some schematics?

[@rico00042]

An old plumbers tip on gluing pvc pipe. use sandpaper on the ends to break the glaze and make slipping a bit easier(no hammering). Also, use primer, apply glue to ONE joint at a time, and already be aligned when you press it in, With real drains you want to see glue to ensure a leak proof seal, but in this thing I'd probably skimp just to make neater looking joints. . Apologies if this was said 2000+ times in the past years. @Inside Sim Racing: Love the show, After driving sims with my thumbs or a joystick since the papyrus days(1991), I just picked up my first decent wheel, a T300 for 63$ from Ebay and I'm shopping for design ideas to go in the "man cave" basement overhaul. My current incomplete design has a 3 screen wall console that houses the electronics and doubles as a three seat lan game station by flipping the screens around. . Cheers!

[@FRDKNG]

I would find it hard to work with Jessica in the same room :)

[@all0izz0well]

i think during race in emergency we can piss in one of those pipes :P

[@stevereese6488]

Probably been mentioned, but you apply pvc glue on both the pipe and the fitting. It will slide together, but as it dries for a few seconds it tries to push the connection apart. I've glued miles of pvc, the old clear type you used that purple cleaner/primer first then glue, but the blue or green type there is no need for cleaner/ primer. Wish I had an assistant like that when I was plumbing things, both electrical, water, sewer, etc ..

[@commanderkit]

I recently made this rig, and I think its amazing! Thanks guys for showing these plans on the show, or else I would have never seen them!

[@warlok9]

why is he beating all the fittings with a hammer and a board??? With PVC glue the fillings should slide in easy. just use a lot of glue and hold the joint together after glueing for about 30 seconds or the fittings push apart. Another tip is after you dry fit the assembly, they should have marked all the fittings with a line before disassembly.

[@treyhedgepeth9598]

If you apply glue to both fittings it gives you some play Time to get everything right. Usually about 15-30 seconds before it bonds. And yes always mark your peices first. When you dry fit they never full seat like they do with glue so keep that in mind

[@frankgrimes8714]

she looks like the typical DIY builder of simulator racing rigs.

[@warlok9]

It’s funny, but I am watching this video and wanting to comment how frustrating it is watching them work with pvc and not know how the glue works. Then I realized I already commented on that years ago! Anyways, the reason the pieces didn’t fit together when they first started glueing is because they didn’t read the directions on the glue can. YOU NEED TO HOLD THE PIECES TOGETHER FOR 30 SECONDS OR THEY WILL PUSH APART. Also, after dry fitting everything, mark the alignment of all the pieces with a sharpie or a pencil, then when you push them back together with glue in the joint, just twist until your lines align,

[@eriklarson9137]

I thought it was funny that you wrote a book and think people will read that.

[@mauriceodwyer58]

If you slightly countersunk screws into each joint, you would have made it easier for yourselves. You would not of had to pull it all apart as soon as you just put it together. You would not have got glue everywhere. Furthermore, if you have to disassemble it because you are moving somewhere else, You just take out your screws and pull it apart.

[@JermaineSmit1]

would have helped if you would draw lines so you can see if the placement is correct...

[@zackinator007]

wood one is betta i gotta say...much quicker to build and easily upgradable in case you want to add more parts to it :)

[@mlvn1991]

Its hard to learn from this while those knockers keep asking my attention

[@waynecurtis951]

I haven't gone through all the comments but if Jessica and Shaun had used pencil marks on the edges of the pipes where they are going to glue the pipes together when they had first done the dry assembly it would have aided them in alignment when gluing and final fixing. Just a thought Jess/shaun

[@pmm4177]

From experience the epoxy does work BUT be warned, it doesn't hold as good as the pvc cement. I've been using my pvc rig for 2 years and every epoxy joint did eventually come apart. Build your sides flat on the ground with pvc cement THEN connect the sides together with the pvc cement

[@matchmakerchris7617]

Shaun and Jessica making an awesome racing rig from PVC pipes made this worth watching.

[@rcsibiu]

""Insert a hot chick and get more views"" applies to this video!! I don't want to be rude but honestly... I would have never watched a 36 min video if Jessica would not have been in it!! The way she looks, the way she talks, the small jokes she makes....this kept me glued to the screen. Not the project itself....but her. You should give her a raise for making your videos more attractive, Inside Sim Racing!!

[@Moltosanti13]

Just finished it and love it and it was a Fun build.. just got to paint it . But got to say thank you because you helped out a lot . Keep up the good work!

[@williamdemars956]

dry fit mark it with a pencil. then glue! ex-plumber graphite blade for a chop saw also. hacksaw works too

[@SHADOSTRYKR]

shes nice on the eyes

[@webduelist]

For the record guys I redesigned this with 45 degree monitor mounts and been running on it for 2 years now. Solid and reliable setup

[@dangdoodle4147]

Ok this vdeo is very funny lol being a plumber and all.Word of advice is to listen APPLY GLUE TO FITTING AS WELL AS PIPE AND AS WELL USE SLOW SETTING PVC GLUE it is grey in color.The glue there using is rain or shine and made for glueing under water hard to work with in the air and warm temps

[@ronbrideau8902]

Perhaps if you finished it with more epoxy and a carbon fiber wrap you could use smaller tubes. The other wooden build would have looked a lot smoother after 3 min with a belt sander.

[@animationcrate]

Not gonna lie, I just clicked on this video because I thought Flo from progressive was gonna help me bundle home, auto, and simulation insurance

[@mrxexes]

You should have made seam lines with a marker to line up the joints so that when you put it back together for the glueing all you have to do is make sure the two sides line up with the lines...

[@kevinlove2002]

One suggestion for anyone making this, when glueing, try and do one joint at a time with the rig pre assembled...

[@daveb1635]

Jessica and Shaun you guys have done a fine job.I will add as a safety issue I think it would be best if Shaun used a mask when cutting the wood and both of you should have worn hearing protection.As for the Race sim I use the same plans to built my PVC racer but I modified the plans to suit my needs. Mine cost a lot more than $200 bucks here in Australia the cost of the fittings were quite expensive and I used 40mm high pressure . The $50 adjustable seat is a Nissan Maxima and is on a modified raised mount.I have a large10mm 5ply board which has the G27 wheel and 27"screen mounted the gear-shift is on the left side mounted on wood.The Sim has 40mm cradles screw mounted on a 10mm 5ply board on caster wheels.Painted in high gloss Black however I sanded all the fitting before I assembled it this way you could sand every thing lot easier. I'm using logitech X620 speaker system with sub-woofer behind the seat. On assembly I use a small amount of silicon glue just to holed it together while I assembled my Sim Racer and if I need too I can pull it apart. It was a fun project.

[@atraxr603]

Hearing protection for what? It's not like they are shooting guns or using a pneumatic hammer. They are just gluing stuff together. And that saw is not anywhere near loud enough to do any damage to your hearing. Especialy as they did 3 cuts in the entire build. It's just another crap you have on your head to be in your way when you're working,

[@eriklarson9137]

Oh dear. Imagine being that afraid of everything. Not being mean, I just really feel sorry for you.

[@Millzieeeee]

if you have a bit more cash you can go out your way to fill out and sand the thicker female sides of tubing to make it less bulky

[@briananderson3801]

Why didn't you just get black pvc?

[@rroberts509]

Use a rubber mallet when working with PVC. One strike with that claw foot could break the PVC

[@ronbrideau8902]

I think your right, the glue is too sticky. All that should need is some silicone caulking to keep it in place. It may absorb more vibration and you should be able to knock it apart if you need to move it.

[@ronbrideau8902]

Glue might be useful to stick the wheel plate brackets in place on PVC to hold it level.

[@masternos36]

Muy bueno el diseño, pero se nota mucho la inesperiencia de trabajar con pvc

[@PeteV80]

You guys could probably sell packages of pre-cut PVC with an instruction plan and make a decent profit. Shipping wouldn't be bad since it's small and light.

[@mrobject9113]

She's here for her huge expansive knowledge in virtual racing. Yes.

[@markhowe6334]

What is the width measurement of the strategy pvc pipe please and the width measurements on 45 degree angle and the 90 degree angle as well please

[@pferguson2212]

I can't wait to ride that!

[@johngoodwin86]

The actual pvc glue will melt normal plastic or thin rubber will melt a little too.

[@jwrocks83]

Could you use small deck or wood screws instead of glue? That might allow you take it apart and add to it - reconfigure etc.

[@abdotahan]

Lovely Jessica is really assisting us to keep watching ... sorry Shaun ... Now how about using a permanent marker circular and vertical for each angled joint while testing the frame ... and then glowing things faster with the hot glue .

[@liamcosgrave5410]

Why is everyone complaining about the girl ? I think she was just as useful as Sean .

[@SIMRIG412]

She is gorgeous

[@moorechez67]

So not useful at all? lol

[@Onkel_Richard]

Jessica, we miss you!

[@johngoodwin86]

Honestly not sure if I’d glue the whole thing because you will never get apart if it needs to move.

[@TheDriftingStig]

More importantly, who wears overalls?

[@suntoritime]

TheFutureEVH Farmers. And farmers mums...

[@ACochrane]

+Justin Davis Mechanics.

[@laurasfar18]

chucky does !

[@str8todamoney]

+TheFutureEVH Real men wear overalls boy.

[@misfiresandflattires6874]

+TheFutureEVH I do :)

[@lsdave]

She looks like Lara Flynn Boyle.....Twin Peaks

[@simracingtonight]

+lsdave Never thought about it but she does have a similar look

[@TheSateef]

her twin peaks are very nice

[@MrJazzermate]

lsdave justbro

[@SkippyFromAus]

I went to the forum and tried to register on your site. 2 things: the register form is broken and the register with facebook function is broken. your fb app is set to development mode. I was really keen to get into the forums and start participating.

[@armouredthug5154]

maybe a small drillbit and rivets would be better than glue for the fact that one day when you need to move or put it away it can be broken down without being broken.

[@iamsioth]

hmmm... interesting, might have to try this tbh. Would you say glue is a must? or could you get by, by just screwing the joints, and pipes together?

[@suprabhabora1057]

Pvc vs wood vs aluminum Which one is cheaper?

[@JacobWard101]

Idk but,did they really need to glue it all together it seems like it would be strong enough without the glue..... like i said idk im just asking.

[@simracingtonight]

Jacob Ward You're probably right..

[@naycul555]

The most important question for me before built it. This construction is not too light ?

[@migueltejada619]

I can't seem to access the plans on the site. The photobucket link throws an error and the link to jump to 'page 9' doesn't seem to be the right area. I can't find the plans :(

[@simracingtonight]

+Miguel Tejada I fixed the links www.isrtv.com/forums/topic/681-simul8r-mark-ii-pvc-plans-bottom-of-pg-7-donations-accepted/?page=7#comment-34663

[@migueltejada619]

+Inside Sim Racing You're a lifesaver! The main plans are the two images with the side/top views right?

[@briananderson3801]

That looks like it would be fun to PLAY WITH AND HOLD ON TO

[@jakubkrcma]

She has more of my respect than most guys - for being a female who is into racing and doesn't just spoil the fun as usual. The fact that she's hot and nice is just a bone-us.

[@Kev5565]

Hitting them isn't very efficient, you should mark the pipe at it's fitted depth and mark for alignment then use your body weight (if needed) to push them together. I have used pvc solvent on koi pond plumbing and you have to be quick and accurate with the stuff, don't stop until you are pushed fully home checking alignment in one smooth movement.

[@rodneymerritts8617]

where can I find the parts list and instructions

[@MegaGamesssssss]

Where can I get an Iracing banner like that one

[@dagobertoguevara4020]

the measurements of the tubes are in inches?

[@richardvanburen3380]

have you thought about doing another build video using real roll cage piping and sheetmetal , i was thinking about building me one but not sure how much of a hassle it would be, ive done a few cages in my "race" cars a.k.a. street stock. do you think it would take a similar skillset?

[@cmfarmer53]

I go threw the trouble of signing up and joining the site to get the plans and it still tells me I'm not allowed to even tho I'm logged In and activated

[@poupard1963]

@ 15:07 Jessica saves day

[@lmc333]

"if I push and you pound..." The guy keeps on gluing the wrong part... Knows nothing about building.... Thanks for showing what should not be done...

[@TRUExZEUS]

should have used self tapping screws instead of glue just incase someone needs to disassemble. I built a flight sim out of PVC and can disassemble and change configuration as needed thanks to self tapping screws.

[@darylic146]

i can't find these plans, could someone post a link for the plans please. Appreciate it..

[@ImpactedWizDom]

That is one hot set up right there! Oh and the Sim Rig ain’t so bad either, heh heh

[@skan647]

This is very informative and appreciated.

[@johngoodwin86]

Use a rubber mallet next one

[@Wesley_C]

Great idea build wow, when I get my body's leaning when i'm playing.

[@GTTeancum]

Trials poster in the back. Awesome.

[@SS8styles]

Hmm, I've found a decent seat for $50 on craigslist...I'm tempted to try making this rig...don't think I have the space in my room tho...does anyone know of a DIY foldable rig like the playseat challenge? Sigh, I might just have to cough up the $250 for it but damn it feels too steep for what it is...

[@MrRollie51]

usually one sands the parts being glued...

[@aggressivevrgamer1862]

How wide is the PVC in mm IV asked all over redit it's like no one knows

[@KillboxAlpha]

I had to watch this twice... after watching it the first time, I realized that I hadn't paid any attention to the rig...

[@santiagobetancur8305]

Where are they now?

[@chicinascristian6677]

What diametre interior and exterior have the pvc pipe ????????

[@mixzone2309]

Hi, PVC good idea ! Thanks for sharing.

[@souljah11b]

Wish they did flight sim rigs.

[@renjipanda]

Can you do make a keyboard table attachmet for it?

[@craigjones8558]

8mins in, and I'm getting that "we hate Ikea" vibe from the room

[@xXxCOSTASxXx]

At 6:40 who farted???hahahahahah awesome rig work i will try it myself!

[@tashriquekarriem8865]

I'm just here for miss Lopez

[@peterhayman]

Jessica is undercover masterbuilder