Custom Steering Wheel?

[usernamessuck]

I couldn't find the steering wheel I wanted for my project. I love the rubber steering wheels from the vintage Camaros and Corvettes. I found a company that makes them for our trucks but they only offer 15" diameter. The 17" that is stock in the truck is just a little too big. I needed a solution. I like the Grant wood rimmed wheels but the quality is garbage so I decided to combine all of the above.

Drawing what I wanted in Solidworks was pretty easy but making it manufacturable with the tools I have was another issue. I think these are stamped when they are factory made and I thought about going that route. It seemed like a lot of work to build a bunch of wood bucks that could handle the tonnage of the stamping just for one steering wheel so I got creative.

Building my own allows me to have the diameter, dish, and grip diameter I want.

[usernamessuck]

I decided to make it a sheet metal part and form it on our press brake. This simplified it and complicated it at the same time. I started with cutting the blank out of some 10ga 316 stainless on our waterjet. I had to cut up some of the press brake tooling to make it work but it turned out fantastic on the first try. I figured for sure I was going to have to cut another blank. All of the ends met up almost perfect and it made an actual circle.

[usernamessuck]

I brought it home to weld it up. I had to tweak the bends ever so slightly to get everything to line up without forcing it. Once I got it how I liked it I clamped it to my Mic 6 table and ground a V in the back side. Fired up the TIG welder and made a sad pass. I really do need to weld more!

[usernamessuck]

I carefully ground the welds flat and flipped the wheel over to weld the other side. I ground down to the back side weld and clamped it up on some parallels just in case there was still a small amount of weld that I didn't grind. Welded up the front and cleaned up the welds.

[usernamessuck]

I grabbed some maroon Scotchbrite and grained the spokes on the front to see how it would look and was disappointed how noticeable the die marks from the press brake were. I may redo everything and use die protectors if I can't get these marks out. This was as far as I made it today. I have a CNC router that I need to figure out before I make much more progress. I have a bunch of black walnut that I'll glue up for the wood rim and I think I'll use PVC for the red, white, and blue accent unless any of you have a better idea.

Like everything else I post on here, if anyone wants the CAD or cut files just let me know and I will get them to you.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by usernamessuck

I grabbed some maroon Scotchbrite and grained the spokes on the front to see how it would look and was disappointed how noticeable the die marks from the press brake were. I may redo everything and use die protectors if I can't get these marks out. This was as far as I made it today. I have a CNC router that I need to figure out before I make much more progress. I have a bunch of black walnut that I'll glue up for the wood rim and I think I'll use PVC for the red, white, and blue accent unless any of you have a better idea.

Like everything else I post on here, if anyone wants the CAD or cut files just let me know and I will get them to you.

Looks good so far! The die marks do look a little deep. I hope they come out for you. If they are only on the back side it wouldn't be so bad. Keep us posted on the progress.

LockDoc

[pjmoreland]

Impressive! I'm looking forward to seeing it with the wood in place.

[LCato]

When I saw your design, it immediately reminded me of the C2 Corvette Steering Wheels I've seen:

https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/1963...-115002-1.html

I have no idea if its the fit and size you need, but thought I'd share.

[usernamessuck]

Originally Posted by LCato

When I saw your design, it immediately reminded me of the C2 Corvette Steering Wheels I've seen:

https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/1963...-115002-1.html

I have no idea if its the fit and size you need, but thought I'd share.

This was the original direction I was going to go. I learned to drive in a 1970 Corvette and I've always loved that steering wheel. The only problem is they have too much dish. I'm copying most everything else though.

[61_FL_Apache]

Nice job!

[KQQL IT]

Looks better than the chineseum wheel I have, also the tool marks give it character.

You might look up steeringwheelchris on Instagram.
Does some amazing work for the rim

[usernamessuck]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Looks better than the chineseum wheel I have, also the tool marks give it character.

You might look up steeringwheelchris on Instagram.
Does some amazing work for the rim

That guy's work is insane! Way out of my league!!

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by usernamessuck

That guy's work is insane! Way out of my league!!

I have an old lecarra wheel. He said he could do the rim in a see thru glitter blue for my 73

[Ol Blue K20]

Very nice, nice work! Keep us in the loop going forward please.

[BigBird05]

I did the same thing when I made a Corvette Steering wheel table. It was 4'. Teak is very expensive but a cabinet maker I new sold me some look a like wood from Africa. Your wheel is way better than mine.

[Chevys4life]

Man.........that looks very nice!!!