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DIY DIRECT DRIVE STEERING WHEEL — JOHANNES LODAHL (GITHUB)

A hoverboard hub motor, an FFbeast force feedback controller and a set of 3D-printed parts make a direct-drive sim racing wheel you build yourself.

by Johannes Lodahl

FULL CAD BOM FIRMWARE DOCS

WorkshopOpen-hardware

Built withESP32STM323D printing

difficulty
●●●●○
time
a long weekend
license
CC-BY-4.0
repo
repo ACTIVE5 stars

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Videos
1
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COMPAREE VERDICT

This is a hobby path to direct-drive force feedback: a hoverboard hub motor (or another outrunner BLDC) driven by a controller running the open FFbeast firmware, with a fully 3D-printable wheel, stand, grips and shifter. Johannes Lodahl publishes the STL files and a 3MF print project under CC BY 4.0, plus a stage-by-stage outline from mounting the motor to tuning in the FFbeast configuration tool. It is an outline rather than a detailed guide, with no BOM, wiring diagrams or torque figures, so expect to lean on the FFbeast documentation. The README describes an ESP32 wireless button rim, but its firmware was not in the repository when we checked, so you would write or adapt that part yourself. If you are comfortable adapting a motor mount to your motor, wiring a BLDC controller and tuning force feedback by feel, this is a rewarding build; if you want plug-and-play, buy a commercial wheel base.

GOOD TO KNOW

  • —STL files for the wheel housing and mount are in the repository.
  • —There is no detailed BOM; the project scope lists a hoverboard (or other outrunner BLDC) motor with an FFbeast controller, an ESP32 wireless button rim, the printed housing and a 24 V power supply.
  • —Firmware setup relies on the FFbeast project — that repository is separate and actively maintained.
  • —The README is a short step-by-step checklist (hardware, rim, firmware, tuning, testing) without photos or wiring diagrams; the STL and 3MF files are the main deliverable.
  • —License is CC BY 4.0 — you can modify and sell this, but must credit the creator.
  • —No calibration guide for the force feedback curves — you will need to tune sensitivity and max torque yourself in the FFbeast config.

Parts to buy

5 items

From our check of the build. Exact quantities and part numbers are in the creator’s BOM.

  • Hoverboard hub motor or other outrunner BLDCFind
  • Controller board supported by FFbeastFind
  • 24 V power supply and fuseFind
  • ESP32 with battery and buttons for the wireless rimFind
  • Wiring and fastenersFind

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Can I build this?

PrintMotor mount, stand, front plane, grips, clamping holders and a shifter (base, lever, paddle); STL files plus one 3MF print project.
BuyA hoverboard hub motor or other outrunner BLDC, a controller board supported by FFbeast, a 24 V power supply and fuse, an ESP32 with battery and buttons for the wireless rim, wiring and fasteners.
Tools3D printer, soldering iron, hex keys, multimeter, a way to flash STM32 firmware (ST-Link or USB bootloader)
SkillsIntermediate: wiring a BLDC motor controller and 24 V supply, flashing and configuring FFbeast, tuning force feedback by feel, adapting the motor mount in CAD if your motor differs, and writing your own ESP32 rim firmware if you want the wireless rim.
TimeA long weekend if the motor fits the CAD; add another day if it does not
CostMid band; the repository gives no cost figure, and the motor, controller board and power supply are the main purchases.
SafetyThe motor can deliver enough torque to break a finger if it faults while you are holding the rim. Test with low torque limits first. No mains voltage, but the motor driver gets warm under load — do not run it in an enclosed space until you have confirmed airflow is adequate.

Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.

Videos

DIY FFB wheel, Part 2: FFB wheel under 150 $ (GA_pilot)

A similar hoverboard-motor FFB wheel build by another creator (GA_pilot), not this repository's author — useful for seeing the concept, not a walkthrough of these files.

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Gallery

opengraph.githubassets.com

Start here

Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.

  1. 1.Read the FFbeast documentation first(The firmware repo explains what the STM32 board actually does and what tuning parameters you will need to set — start there, not with the motor)
  2. 2.Check your hoverboard motor dimensions before printing(Hoverboard motors differ in shaft and mounting dimensions, so measure yours and compare it with the motor mount before printing everything.)
  3. 3.Print the motor mount first as a fit test(If it does not fit, you will need to modify the CAD — better to find out before printing the full housing)

Resources

Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.

KNOWN ISSUES

  • The hoverboard motor you buy will probably not be identical to the one in the build log — shaft diameter, mounting holes, or wire colours may differ, and you will need to adapt the CAD or wiring.
  • Firmware and tuning come from the separate FFbeast project and its configuration tool, not from this repository, so read the FFbeast documentation for your controller board before you buy it.
  • The wireless button rim (ESP32) and the force feedback controller (STM32) are two separate firmware stacks — if one works and the other does not, you will need to debug them independently.
  • PID tuning for the force feedback is not documented in this repository — you will need to adjust gain, damping, and max torque by trial and error until the wheel feels right.
  • The 3D-printed bearing seats need tight tolerances or the wheel will wobble under load — if your printer is not well calibrated, expect to reprint the motor mount.
  • No enclosure is provided for the electronics — the STM32 board and motor driver will be exposed unless you design your own case.

Can I use a different motor?

Yes, but you will need to redesign the motor mount to match your motor's dimensions and confirm that FFbeast supports your motor's sensor type (most hoverboard motors use hall sensors, which FFbeast handles).

How does this compare to a commercial direct-drive base?

The repository does not publish torque figures or a price comparison. What it gives you is direct-drive force feedback from a hoverboard or other outrunner motor with open FFbeast firmware, in exchange for building, wiring and tuning it yourself without a warranty or pre-tuned profiles.

Do I need the wireless button rim, or can I wire buttons directly?

The project is designed around a wireless ESP32 button rim, whose firmware was not in the repository when we checked. FFbeast has a button-mapping step, so check its documentation for wired buttons on your controller.

Will this work with my sim rig?

FFbeast outputs over USB as a standard game controller, so it works with any sim that supports force feedback wheels (Assetto Corsa, iRacing, etc.).

Community builds

No community builds yet — be the first, we feature the best ones.

Discussion1

FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM

The project works with a hoverboard motor or any other outrunner BLDC driven by an FFbeast controller. Where would you get yours: a broken hoverboard, a second-hand listing, or a new motor?

CompareeTEAM1mo agoedited

Practical notes from our verification: the repository holds the printed parts as STL files (motor mount, stand, grips, clamping holders, shifter base, lever and paddle) plus a single 3MF print project, and it is licensed CC BY 4.0, which allows even commercial use as long as you credit the creator. The README is an outline of the stages, from mounting the motor to tuning in the FFbeast configuration tool, rather than a detailed guide, so for firmware and tuning you will be working from the FFbeast project's own documentation. The README refers to ESP32 rim firmware, but at the time of our check that code is not in the repository, so the wireless button rim is something you would write or adapt yourself. The video often shared alongside this build is by a different creator (GA_pilot); Johannes Lodahl posts his own progress on YouTube and Instagram and answers questions on Discord. Correction (4 October 2026): we re-checked this page line by line against the project's own repository, documentation and videos, and fixed errors in earlier versions.

Johannes Lodahl

Johannes Lodahl set out to build a fully 3D-printable, modular force feedback wheel that feels like a professional direct-drive system, using the open FFbeast firmware and his own ESP32 wireless button rim. He shares the build on GitHub, Instagram and YouTube and invites builders to reach out on Discord.

GitHub

Star the project on GitHub

DISCLAIMER

  • Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
  • Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
  • Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
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