If you fancy making a set of rudder pedals, in particular one's with FFB, and you just happen to have a disused twist handle joystick, then look no further. Well not just yet anyway.
I've been using a MS Sidewinder FFB pro for the last couple of years as a set of rudder pedals, unfortunately they didn't provide any FFB effects under win xp, apart from the odd occasion when I re-installed my sound card drivers. A couple of weeks back however I picked up a Wingman 3D at a car boot sale and reckoned it would make a good conversion project.
I've tried to make the pedals as simple to construct as possiable, so no prizes for looks, and I've also deliberately not mucked around with the joystick itself. This I hope will encourage as many simmers to have a go as possiable.
P.S I'd just like to add that this joystick mod does NOT add any additional rudder forces, I ain't a magician, all it does is allow the shaking one would normally expect so that you can still feel the stall warning que's etc etc if you happen to be using a HOTAS set-up.
Below is a short description and, I hope some pic's, demonstrating how to build the pedals, I know they're not pretty, but like I said I wanted to make them easy to copy.

First up, size doesn't matter, well not with this anyway I will give you some dimmensions, but none are particularly critical, maybe just try and keep the box lid as close to the top of the joystick as possiable. The dimmensions given here simply made to fit inside my cockpit nothing more sophisticated than that.

I used 1/2"(12mm) MDF for the most part and hardwood for the bars and apart from some penny washers and some screws thats about it, so it shouldn't break the bank.
The first pic shows the parts of the box before fitting together, the baseboard is 21"(530mm) across by 15"(380) front to back. The box itself is just wide and high enough for the joystick base. Ensure you have a good sized hole in the back for the leeds. The top of the box has a hole big enough for it to easily slide down over the handle of the stick when in place.

The second pic shows the box made and the joystick in place. I have used some small MDF offcuts (coloured red) superglued to the baseboard to stop the joystick from moveing.

The next image has the box with the lid on, notice the front of the box top is double thickness, here shown in yellow, this was done by simply glueing a second piece of MDF on top of the first.

The pedal mechanism itself is made from 3/4"(19mm) thick hardwood (like I say sizes arn't critical) with a central pivot point in the front bar. The back bar slots around the joystick handle just above the flare at the bottom of the handle. The cut out wants to be a snug fit, the U shaped piece (MDF), also a snug fit, then clamps the handle in place.

The pedals themselves 4 1/2"(114) x 12"(305) MDF are attached useing triangular blocks that give an approx 30* angle. However you might want to adjust this to suit your seat hieght etc etc. A point to note from my expirence would suggest having the heel of the pedal closer to to ground. This seems to make it more comfortable.


Please note also that the side bars project in front of the front bar (approx 4"(100) this stops the pedals from binding on the front bar and also transfers some of the weight from the joystick handle to the front bar.
The bar sizes are as follows;
front bar 16 1/2"(420) x 1 1/2"(40)
back bar 16 1/2"(420) x 2"(50)
side bars 12"(305) x 1 3/8"(35)
Some final points, to get the most from the FFB if so equiped then it is important to have a penny washer under the front pivot point to allow a bit of flexability, not so important without FFB. Also in the joystick control panel ensure return to center is off.
Well hopefully this will have given you some inspiration if nothing else, enjoy

nice idea !

I did almost EXACTLY the same thing years ago. I worked I would say almost great, and it never once broke.

Now ya gatta train yer toes to press them buttons! Nice job!

~S~

LOL - barefoot simming? As if my wife doesn't make fun of me enough with my headphones/mike, TrackIR dot on my head and 3D glasses. OH THE HUMANITY!

I may have just found the perfect place for my Wingman Strike Force 3D... Unfortunately it does not have a symmetrical base, but I bet I can work something out.

Awesome idea.

Hi Joe, it shouldn't be a problem, either turn the the joystick (not just the handle but the whole thing) sideways or when making the box cut a hole in the side wall and have the joystick base jut through it. At the moment I'm working on a couple of mod's. First off, a more positive centeral point and, I hope independant toe brakes using some of the buttons from the handle and just extending the wires. If I'm succesfull then I will post more pics.

Ah, turn it. The simplest things are often the most brilliant.

Hmmm, the Strike Force 3D has a throttle in the handle, which I bet I could rig up for some toe brakes... I think I have a new project.

One could also use a ffb wheel for this purpose.

Yes you could quite possiably adapt a ffb wheel. If you do, please let us know how you get on. In theory it should be very easy and have several advantages over a joystick, it would also be interesting to know if rudder forces came into play ?