@Oldschool61: not really a nerd.
Today it's really easy to do this. All you need are 3 Potis with 3600°/100kOhm an old USB-cable and a
Joywarrior-modul for 8 or 16 buttons.
I did this once with my good old Thrustmaster Attack-Throttle to bring it into modern times, since there where no more drivers for it.
The expensive part are the potis (3x15€). No wonder why Saitek only build one trimmwheel.
PS: I have still to decide for 8 or 16 buttons.
trimm8.jpg trimm16.jpg