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Clever ways to save some $

Discussion in 'DIY Motion Simulator Building Q&A / FAQ' started by matthew loomis, Jun 17, 2017.

  1. matthew loomis

    matthew loomis Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2017
    Messages:
    94
    Location:
    rochester,ny
    Balance:
    603Coins
    Ratings:
    +82 / 0 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, Arduino
    As a DIY community, many of us are looking for budget friendly ways to do things. Started a list of some of the clever ideas I found around here. Feel free to add yours or the ones you find useful.

    Motors & gearboxes


    [​IMG]
    First the great wiper motor. 12 or 24v needs ground isolation. Easy to find. The heart of the budget diy.

    [​IMG]
    Wheelchair motors. Bigger gearbox, more power. Mostly 24 volt. Needs strong controller and special power supply.

    Power supplies

    [​IMG]
    Pc power supply.
    [​IMG]
    Server power supply.
    [​IMG]
    Led Power supplies

    Odds and ends.

    [​IMG]
    Driveshaft joint. Great for seat mounts.
    [​IMG]
    Tie rods. Mounting motor to seat. Find on tractors, atvs

    [​IMG]
    Bicycle cranks. Good for motor arms.

    [​IMG]
    Old exercise equipment. Good metal, adjustable stuff, hard bolts. Great stuff for a frame.

    Places to find stuff.
    Auto junkyard, scrap recycling yards, auto and atv service shops, and my favorite... garbage night!
    • Informative Informative x 3
    matthew loomis, Jun 17, 2017
    #1
  2. Zed

    Zed VR Simming w/Reverb Gold Contributor

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2017
    Messages:
    1,044
    Location:
    USA
    Balance:
    5,834Coins
    Ratings:
    +1,043 / 4 / -0
    My Motion Simulator:
    2DOF, DC motor, JRK
    That tip on the exercise equipment is a good one! (And it puts exercise equipment to its proper use - sitting relaxation and enjoyment! :grin )

    Also, it's a semi-expensive up front investment, but a 3D printer has allowed me to take my sim up a few notches in quality and finish as well as paid for itself in machining costs had I had to get the parts machined in a commercial machine shop. It's avoided delays, and has made it easy to prototype and test out ideas. And it's just plain fun to go from idea to finished part in your hands in just a matter of hours.
    • Agree Agree x 2
    Zed, Jun 17, 2017
    #2