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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
 

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

Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
 

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

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.

Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
 

Nice job!

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

Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
 

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

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.

Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
 

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.

Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
 

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

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

Re: Custom Steering Wheel?
 

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