Uploaded February 2017 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
How to make this DIY USB controlled analog handbrake for drift, rally and racing simulator games.
This USB handbrake is designed to work as Analog by modding, and redesigning the function of a hydraulic handbrake. The design also has minimal fabrication, is neat and compact.
It is USB, stand alone and can be used in combination with any steering wheel Logitech, G25, G27, G29, G920, Thrustmaster, Fanatec, or OSW
Why a Analog handbrake? Short answer, It gives modulation. On/off is fine and a simple design but if you want more control and realism build an analog version.
The controller is a Arduino ProMicro with a analog axis sketch loaded to it. Which you can the find files here:
amstudioprojects.com/handbrakes
Once downloaded copy the Joystick folder into the Arduino libraries folder, then upload the sketch to the ProMicro.
When the sketch is uploaded to the ProMicro it will stay stored even when unplugged and disconnected.
Analog handbrakes are quite expensive considering what they are. I put my build and design on par with some of the major brands. My build was about a 1/4 of the price of name brand analog handbrakes.
There are some versions that use hydraulic fluid and a pressure transducer. This is another good option which may have a nicer feel, but as this is an indoor item that is setup and packed away when not in use, I didn't want to find it leaking brake fluid.
The spring I used has a medium resistance, you can change the feel of the lever by using stronger or weaker springs also try adding different rubbers to change the feel. There is a spring located inside the master cylinder that could be adapted, although a little soft. The lever action in this build - From Off to Full is about 12cm.
The best things about building your own DIY projects is the satisfaction of making a product from a combination of different parts. Sometimes built better than what you can buy. From the design, troubleshooting to learning process, this is all valuable knowledge gained with your time. Also as a bonus if it breaks you can identify what parts failed and what is required to be replaced, fixed or improved.
*****NOTE*********
There are a few people trying to sell my design for a lot more than it costs to build. Don't get ripped off ! I would recommend making your own or just buy the Fanatec handbrake.
You can buy a Fanatec handbrake here: fanatec.sjv.io/je609n
Parts Used
Hydro Handbrake - eBay ebay.us/6Lgwxy
10k Sliding potentiometer amzn.to/3IcyAWU
HD Compression Spring
Arduino PMicro ebay.to/37ToIcU or goo.gl/ozB6w6
USB micro cable
Wire BG bit.ly/3ShlxDN
Soldering cheap Iron bit.ly/3Q9vQI8
Solder BG bit.ly/3zQWksI
Best Soldering iron ebay.us/VIwU6k
Bolts and Nuts
2x M4 x60mm eBay goo.gl/m2wjBy
6x M4 Nut ebay.to/2FVcB5P
2x M8 Nut eBay goo.gl/okgNZB
M8 washers goo.gl/HtVVSi
This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Make
Aluminum for back plate
Pot holder
Small piece of metal for the slider tab.
or try 3d printed parts
Thank you Dominic for providing these.
goo.gl/Tvf24f
PRODUCT NOT FOR RESALE. FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
Thank you for watching and being a part of the channel.
Your comments and questions are all welcome.
Please ask any question about the design, build or parts used.
Also share with others who might like to build this project.
Check here for other SIM DIY AND MODS
youtube.com/channel/UCQS1ZB3BVSrBo3tCs7PyfxQ
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Copyright
© AMSTUDIO 2018 All rights reserved | amstudioprojects.com
How to make this DIY USB controlled analog handbrake for drift, rally and racing simulator games.
This USB handbrake is designed to work as Analog by modding, and redesigning the function of a hydraulic handbrake. The design also has minimal fabrication, is neat and compact.
It is USB, stand alone and can be used in combination with any steering wheel Logitech, G25, G27, G29, G920, Thrustmaster, Fanatec, or OSW
Why a Analog handbrake? Short answer, It gives modulation. On/off is fine and a simple design but if you want more control and realism build an analog version.
The controller is a Arduino ProMicro with a analog axis sketch loaded to it. Which you can the find files here:
amstudioprojects.com/handbrakes
Once downloaded copy the Joystick folder into the Arduino libraries folder, then upload the sketch to the ProMicro.
When the sketch is uploaded to the ProMicro it will stay stored even when unplugged and disconnected.
Analog handbrakes are quite expensive considering what they are. I put my build and design on par with some of the major brands. My build was about a 1/4 of the price of name brand analog handbrakes.
There are some versions that use hydraulic fluid and a pressure transducer. This is another good option which may have a nicer feel, but as this is an indoor item that is setup and packed away when not in use, I didn't want to find it leaking brake fluid.
The spring I used has a medium resistance, you can change the feel of the lever by using stronger or weaker springs also try adding different rubbers to change the feel. There is a spring located inside the master cylinder that could be adapted, although a little soft. The lever action in this build - From Off to Full is about 12cm.
The best things about building your own DIY projects is the satisfaction of making a product from a combination of different parts. Sometimes built better than what you can buy. From the design, troubleshooting to learning process, this is all valuable knowledge gained with your time. Also as a bonus if it breaks you can identify what parts failed and what is required to be replaced, fixed or improved.
*****NOTE*********
There are a few people trying to sell my design for a lot more than it costs to build. Don't get ripped off ! I would recommend making your own or just buy the Fanatec handbrake.
You can buy a Fanatec handbrake here: fanatec.sjv.io/je609n
Parts Used
Hydro Handbrake - eBay ebay.us/6Lgwxy
10k Sliding potentiometer amzn.to/3IcyAWU
HD Compression Spring
Arduino PMicro ebay.to/37ToIcU or goo.gl/ozB6w6
USB micro cable
Wire BG bit.ly/3ShlxDN
Soldering cheap Iron bit.ly/3Q9vQI8
Solder BG bit.ly/3zQWksI
Best Soldering iron ebay.us/VIwU6k
Bolts and Nuts
2x M4 x60mm eBay goo.gl/m2wjBy
6x M4 Nut ebay.to/2FVcB5P
2x M8 Nut eBay goo.gl/okgNZB
M8 washers goo.gl/HtVVSi
This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated
Make
Aluminum for back plate
Pot holder
Small piece of metal for the slider tab.
or try 3d printed parts
Thank you Dominic for providing these.
goo.gl/Tvf24f
PRODUCT NOT FOR RESALE. FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
Thank you for watching and being a part of the channel.
Your comments and questions are all welcome.
Please ask any question about the design, build or parts used.
Also share with others who might like to build this project.
Check here for other SIM DIY AND MODS
youtube.com/channel/UCQS1ZB3BVSrBo3tCs7PyfxQ
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Copyright
© AMSTUDIO 2018 All rights reserved | amstudioprojects.com
