How to Make a 3D Printed DIY Formula Steering Wheel

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make a DIY Formula Steering Wheel for Sim Racing.

The DIY F1 Steering Wheel will be printed with a 3D printer, and the electronics will be an Arduino Micro or Zero Delay USB Board.

High-Quality CAD file is available here : DIY F1 Steering Wheel

There are several formats available:

1. STL for 3D printing
2. STEP for CNC
3. DXF for laser cutting

ELECTRONICS

1. Arduino Pro Micro Board
2. Micro USB Cable
3. MicroSwitch [Option: Handle 11.5mm]
4. MicroSwitch alternative link [Option: MS-1A-13.5]
5. Alternative USB Board #1 [USB Arcade Encoder Zero Delay]
6. Alternative USB Board #2
7. Ø12mm Push Button [Option: Momentary]
8. Ø12mm Push Button
9. Rotary Encoders

MAGNETS

1. Ø12×5-4mm N52 Magnet [Option: 12×5-4 MM]
2. Ø12×5-4mm N52 Magnet alternative link [Option: 12×5-4 MM]

ACCESSORIES

1. Thrustmaster Steering Wheel adapter

FINISHING OF YOUR HOMEMADE F1 WHEEL

1. Carbon covering
2. Leather covering
3. Alcantara covering
4. Tools for covering

ASSEMBLY OF YOUR DIY F1 RACING WHEEL

1. 3 Hex Wrench Spanner [Quantity: 1] [Option: 3-4-5mm, 4-5-6mm]
2. Allen Hex key [Quantity: 1] [Option: flat head]
3. Alternative Allen Hex key
4. Screw driver hand tool
5. LED Flash light
6. Super Glue Liquid Bottle

SOLDERING

1. Electric soldering iron
2. Soldering station 1
3. Soldering station 2
4. Soldering wire
5. Soldering dross
6. Soldering tweezers
7. Wire cable stripper
8. Wire cable stripper 2
9. Metal soldering holder
10. M12x1.5 Cable gland [Option: M12x1.5 fit 3-6.5mm]
11. GX12 Connector [Option: M12x1.5 fit 3-6.5mm]

ALIEXPRESS SCREWS

1. Pandametal Screws Store : most of what you need is here

RECOMMENDED 3D PRINTER FOR YOUR DIY FORMULA 1 STEERING WHEEL

1. CREALITY 3D Printer Ender-3
2. AnyCubic Photon Mono X
3. AnyCubic Kobra 2 Neo
4. PLA Filament 1.75mm
5. PLA Filament 1.75mm alternative

This diagram will help you know exactly where each screw is located, with a PDF file that contains the complete list of all screws to purchase.

To begin, you need to attach the handles on each side.

You can also fix the 6 screws for the quick release, but this is optional. This should be done before fixing the plate (next step).

Now you need to fix your plate, after having of course fixed the USB board and done the electronic soldering.

Now you need to attach the 4 handles. You can of course cover them with Alcantara or leather first.

Now, here's the assembly of the magnetic paddles shifters. You can download them here if you want to make them independently of the F1 steering wheel.

For the electronics, you'll just need to use an Arduino Pro Micro board and solder the buttons and microswitches. However, my tutorial doesn't include rotary encoders.

You will need to download Arduino, install the joystick library, and then select your Arduino Pro Micro board and flash it!

You need to download Arduino here : https://www.arduino.cc/en/software

And install the Joystick library : https://github.com/MHeironimus/ArduinoJoystickLibrary

The Arduino Sktech is included.

You can also use a plug & play USB board like the Zero Delay Arcade board. This is the easiest option, soldering is much simpler and it's plug & play.

You can adjust the paddle shifters to fit your fingers, and also remake the front plate if you want to configure your own buttons.

For this, a .step file is provided, you will only have to make the modification with free software like FreeCAD or Fusion360.

You can also print stickers on self-adhesive paper to place on your F1 steering wheel front plate. You can also do a carbon wrap on the front, and even on the entire steering wheel if you are good enough at it.

Your DIY Formula Steering Wheel is finished, all you have to do is mount it on your wheel base and enjoy it in your sim racing games.

I hope this tutorial is clear enough and I wish you good luck if you want to start this project!