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12-05-2021, 07:23 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NE Wyoming
Posts: 98
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Custom Steering Wheel?
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. |
12-05-2021, 07:32 PM | #2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NE Wyoming
Posts: 98
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
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.
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12-05-2021, 07:41 PM | #3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NE Wyoming
Posts: 98
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
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!
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12-05-2021, 07:52 PM | #4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NE Wyoming
Posts: 98
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
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.
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12-05-2021, 07:54 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NE Wyoming
Posts: 98
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
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. |
12-05-2021, 09:43 PM | #6 | |
The Older Generation
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,772
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
Quote:
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
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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12-06-2021, 02:45 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 5,982
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
Impressive! I'm looking forward to seeing it with the wood in place.
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12-06-2021, 09:22 AM | #8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 8
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
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. |
12-06-2021, 09:37 AM | #9 |
Who Me?
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 4,067
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
Nice job!
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Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold) |
12-06-2021, 09:44 AM | #10 |
At the body shop.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,254
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
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
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" That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " |
12-06-2021, 10:36 AM | #11 |
Proprietor of Dale's Corner
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Vacaville , CA
Posts: 16,245
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
Very nice, nice work! Keep us in the loop going forward please.
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"Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul |
12-06-2021, 10:49 AM | #12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Cheraw
Posts: 1,300
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
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.
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12-06-2021, 01:34 PM | #13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NE Wyoming
Posts: 98
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
Quote:
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12-06-2021, 01:34 PM | #14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NE Wyoming
Posts: 98
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
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12-06-2021, 04:49 PM | #15 |
At the body shop.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Land of fruits and nuts.
Posts: 5,254
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
I have an old lecarra wheel. He said he could do the rim in a see thru glitter blue for my 73
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" That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment " |
12-06-2021, 08:15 PM | #16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 671
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Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
Man.........that looks very nice!!!
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