Custom Steering wheel fabrication How to

[fastcat]

After getting a hold of a tilt/telescopic steering column from a 1974 cadillac for my current 49 packard project I came up with an idea for a custom steering wheel to match the cars web theme. I started by removing the old cadillac steering wheel from the column. I cut the center hub out of the steering wheel that contains the splines and removal threads.

[fastcat]

I then drew the steering wheel rim on a piece of cardboard in full size. By placing the hub in the center of the cardboard pattern I was able to center the outer steering wheel rim once completed. I purchased some 3/4" diamerter steel tube at a local hardware store. I then found an old wheel that had a diameter correct for the size of steering wheel I wanted to make. The steering wheel is approx. 16" outer diameter. The wheel I used had a little over 14" diameter inner size. I then claped the tube to the wheel with a pair of vise grips. make sure not to clamp it very tight as it will deform the tube. The heat the tube with a torch until it is red hot and slowly bend the tube around the wheel. Keep moving the red hot portion as you bend the tube. Be sure not to bend it around more than half of the wheel or you wont be able to get it back off. You can return and bend it more once you have cut off a couple pieces.
Once the tube was bent I cut out the pieces at the right lengths and sanded them for a perfect fit with each other and then tack welded them together. make sure the rim is not twisted, if so gently bend it into alignment. Once you are happy with the look and fit fully weld it together.

[fastcat]

Set the rim on the cardboard pattern and move on to fabricating the bars that attach the hub to the outer rim. I designed a spider web pattern that would go along with the other parts of the car. I fabricated 5 bars to attach the center hub to the rim. I had to bend the round bar so it would weld on the side of the center hub rather that weld straight to it. This provided clearance between the wheel and the sliding collar on my column.

[fastcat]

Once the bars were welded to the rim and the center hub I bent some 1/4" ound bar using the torch around a junk diesel engine piston to get the curvature I wanted. Cut each individual web to fit and weld in place. I am going to be powder coating the wheel so I can use it unitl I get to the upholstery on the car. I used some metal filler laid into the seams where the webs attach to each other and the rim to smooth it out. Once sanded down the wheel is ready for powder coating. I will be fabricating a center hub cover out of sheet metal in the near future. The top of the rim where it comes to a point has simply been capped using some sheet metal.

[fastcat]

I also fabricated a turn signal lever to match the theme by simply using the same round bar. I cut the threads required on the end.

[heyitsnate]

very cool...that looks good! i love tech posts!

[Mass Butcher]

Great idea and tech post. Too bad a post like this only gets half the hits and responses that a drama-laden thread gets.

[Mai Ki-Ki]

Now we're talking...Top post..

looks killer..whats the ride it's going in?

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MAIKI

[G Griffin]

Great work!
That turn signal lever makes it.
G.

[TexasHardcore]

Great shit!

It's always good to see people making their own stuff!

[Foul]

nice. show us the final product when it's done.
dan

[REVEREND JAKE]

I especially like the final touch with the turn signal. Let's see it on the car! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Reverend Jake

[Django]

Nice.

Did you see the new issue of OSR? This woman made her fender skirts out of "web" among other things. Pretty amazing.

[Stevie G]

Woo Hoo!!
Tech-O-Matic.

[rustyford1]

Looks great.Got any pics of the car it's going in?

[Kev Nemo]

Gawd, man--Make another, auction 'em, and I'll buy the damn things. That's art, kat...

[Scotch]

Way to go Shawn..

(he knows horsepower too...!)

The Catster needs to post more often....don't you drink Shawn?

Nice work Amigo...

Scotch~!

[Big A]

I like it, and thanks for the build-up pics... but I gotta say that the sliced off top is bugging me. Partly because that's where I usually have my hand when driving, and partly bacause it looks like it could be frickin' dangerous in an accident.

My 2¢.

[fastcat]

Thanks guys as far as the top piece being uncomfortable I tried it and the part where I filled it flat, felt very comfortable to rest your arm on, I drive like that too... and the points are not pointing st you just toward each other so I dont think there will be a problem. I have plans for custom mirrors as well as interior handles. I dont have the column in the car yet as it is off the frame. The frame is almost done just waitin on the machinist for some spacers. It is a 49 packard 4 door chopped 5", channeled 6", hand fabricated floor, sits on a 74 cougar/70 nova frame, ford 9" rear w 4 link and airbagged all around.
by the way Yeah Scotch I drink?!?

[fastcat]

Oh yah Scotch did you get your engine and tranny OK??

This is a pic of the car now off the frame but I have filled the gas door, and the hole where the rear bumper goes through. I put a pic of the back done on as well.

[fastcat]

the back panel filled.

[sleeper]

Hey Shawn the Packard looks great.Post the pic of the under hood support you made.Hopefully I'll catch up with you in Auburn this weekend.

[fastcat]

Under hood support.

[Scotch]

Shawn- Ya I got it and it's almost ready to re-fire...
Ditched the trans but the motor is GOLDEN...so cherry inside. Low mileage and clean. Thanks again for the help...

I asked if you drank cuz when i have a few beers I tend to post more often, and after reading a few other posts, I have no doubt I am not alone...

Some news on the way too...look for a post within the next month or so.

Glad to see you here..happy to see your stuff looking so damn sharp. You rock Amigo.

Scotch!~

[heyitsnate]

your car looks killer....nice work! keep posting more progress...i love following this stuff!

[Rusty]

All I can say is WOW!!! nice work

[REVEREND JAKE]

Did you mig that or tig that? Will powder coat stick to metal filler consistently? Again, I think the wheel is BITCHIN!!!

Reverend Jake

[RoadDevil13]

DAMN fine work!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[scarliner]

Now this is what the Hamb is all about!!!!! People doing some very cool work and sharing it with others.Great job! Also really like your car, a four door,that usally is bypassed, done up right! Killer job!Need more post like this one.

[TINGLER]

Yeah,
COOL stuff for sure!

Makes me wanna take apart a few old steering wheels I got laying around here......

[kustombuilder]

DAMN! this cat has some CRAAAAZY ideas. I LIKE!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[choprods]

I really Like what you did with that wheel and the turn signal handle is Killer too!I do however wanna warn ya against wearin a Boyd Hawaiian shirt whilst drivin it tho as it[open top of wheel] may snag the shirt an Kill you.......Ha! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
You sound real worried about that tho.....

[fastcat]

HAHA no boyd hawaiian shirts here!! Thanks for the goos words. On the filler I use a aluminum based filler that eastwood has that powder coat adhears to great. It works excellent in the small areas as I am using it here for. Keep an eye out tonight I built therear view mirror today and I will be posting the how to on it tonight.

[fastcat]

Oh yeah I MIG welded it, it makes for a little more grinding but I dont have a TIG yet.