DIY Loadcell Handbrake

How to make a DIY Sim Handbrake

Here, I will explain to you how to make a DIY Sim Loadcell Handbrake. This DIY Handbrake is easy to build, has a strong structure, stable and smooth mechanism. I hope you enjoy this tutorial and I wish you good luck.

→ Read the Tutorial

LOADCELL HANDBRAKE ELECTRONICS

• Arduino Pro Micro Board
• 20kg Loadcell[Option: 1pc 20kg sensor]
• HX711 Board (option: Standard Board)
• Micro USB Cable

SPRINGS

• Recommanded Spring [Option: Length: 65mm, Diameter: 20mm]
• Alternative Spring 1 [Option: length 65mm, Diameter 20mm]
• Alternative Spring 2 [Option: Color: yellow, Specification: 18x9x65]
• Bushing/Elastomers

ASSEMBLY

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

SOLDERING

• Electric soldering iron
• Soldering station 1
• Soldering station 2
• Soldering wire
• Soldering dross
• Soldering tweezers
• Wire cable stripper
• Wire cable stripper 2
• Metal soldering holder
• Plastic soldering holder

ALIEXPRESS SCREWS

• Pandametal Screws Store: most of what you need is here
• M5x20 and M6x20 spacers
• M6x40 spacers
• M8 Female Rod end [Quantity: 1] [Option: PHS8 Right thread]
• M8x130 Semi-threated screws
• M8x130 Semi-threated screws (alternative link)

3D PRINTER

• CREALITY 3D Printer Ender-3
• AnyCubic Photon Mono X
• AnyCubic Kobra 2 Neo
• PLA Filament 1.75mm
• PLA Filament 1.75mm alternative

DIY Loadcell Handbrake Parts compatibility

You can use other parts to build this Sim Racing Handbrake (apart from those listed in the required parts section), but you will need to check that they are compatible.

LOADCELL

Weight: 20kg
Loadcell dimensions:

ELASTOMERS

• Ø Inside diameter: min. 8mm, max. 10mm
• Ø Outside diameter: not to exceed 20mm (except if you use M8 washers).

SPRINGS

• ØInside diameter: not below 8.5mm
• ØOutside diameter: not to exceed 20mm (except if you use M8 washers).

ALTERNATIVE HANDLE

• Alternative Handle #1
  
• Alternative Handle #2
• Alternative Handle #3
• Alternative Handle #4
• Alternative Handle #5
• Alternative Handle #6

Material of the loadcell Handbrake

LASER CUTTING

I recommend stainless steel.

3D PRINTING

I recommend PLA or ABS. You can apply 20% infill for all parts except for the part Spring Support – Quantity 1.stl, for this one I recommend 80% or 100%. Here are recommendations for printing 3D solid parts.

HAND CUTTING AND CNC MACHINING

I recommend aluminum because it is a soft metal that is easy to work with.

How to get the required materials

LASER CUTTING

I advise you to request a quote from laser cutting companies near your home. All parts are flat with 5mm thickness, there are none to bend. So you can compare prices and choose the most profitable. You can save money if you make a combined order.

For France and Europe, I recommend the company ALPM, and they provide a very good quality cut for a reasonable price.

3D PRINTING

You can buy a 3D printer, or find a 3D printing service like treatstock. The Sim Handbrake longest part that need to be printed is 210mm.

HAND CUTTING

You need only sheets of papers, printer and Aluminium plates!

CNC MACHINING

I recommend CNC Machining only if you own a CNC Rooter, otherwise it is not economically profitable enough compared to laser cutting.

SCREWS

Bolt depot, Motedis and FixnVis.

Tolerances

• Laser cutting DXF files and CNC Machining files: 0.2mm
• 3D Printing: 0.6mm