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I made a steering wheel for my coupe.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Kevin Lee, Apr 22, 2009.

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  1. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,584
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    Kevin Lee
    Super Moderator
    from KC,MO - The cradle of hot rodding
    Staff Member

    I wanted to make a steering wheel that combined the delicate and deliberate machined look of early GP and Indy car parts with the unmistakable look of a four spoke Bell.

    Something that would not look out of place in anything from an early lakes roadster to an Auto Union or Miller. I know I set my sights a high with that, but in the end I got the wheel I wanted and I think it's cool.

    This one is a prototype of sorts. Grips are hardwood but currently bare and the finish on the rivets is not perfect - but pretty damn close for something that was a piece of 1/4" plate and a stack of wood in the morning, and going through final assembly later that night before we left for the Roundup.

    Thinking I might do a limited run with several material options for the rim.
     

    Attached Files:

    Kevin Lee, Apr 22, 2009
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    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  2. Pothole 31A
    Joined: Dec 15, 2007
    Posts: 318
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    Pothole 31A
    Member
    from Cleveland OH

    Pics???
     
    Pothole 31A, Apr 22, 2009
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  3. roosters hot rods
    Joined: Oct 21, 2006
    Posts: 1,778
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    roosters hot rods
    Member
    from hudson florida

    looks cool..
     
    roosters hot rods, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#3
  4. Defisch
    Joined: Nov 1, 2007
    Posts: 181
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    Defisch
    Member
    from Hudson FL.

    Very Cool, I like it.
     
    Defisch, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#4

  5. Steve Ray
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 693
    Profile Page

    Steve Ray
    Member
    from West Seattle, WA

    Great work! I like it.
     
    Steve Ray, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#5
  6. cactus1
    Joined: Apr 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,909
    Profile Page

    cactus1
    Member
    from Beautiful Kansas City! (And beyond!!)

    Very nice. Will it be wrapped or finished(stained, tounge oil,...)?
     
    cactus1, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#6
  7. Crusty Nut
    Joined: Aug 3, 2005
    Posts: 1,834
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    Crusty Nut
    Member
    from Eureka!, California

    very nice. How big is it?
     
    Crusty Nut, Apr 22, 2009
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  8. negativeMatt
    Joined: Dec 9, 2003
    Posts: 1,340
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    negativeMatt
    Member
    from Easley South Carolina

    very nice,kev! good job
     
    negativeMatt, Apr 22, 2009
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  9. Cajun Kenny
    Joined: Aug 27, 2007
    Posts: 7,670
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    Cajun Kenny
    Member
    from Smart Ass White Boy In Mississippi..

    very cool kevin!
     
    Cajun Kenny, Apr 22, 2009
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  10. temper_mental
    Joined: Oct 22, 2006
    Posts: 2,717
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    temper_mental
    Member
    from Texas

    How much if you make me one? Very cool
     
    temper_mental, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#10
  11. Doc.
    Joined: Jul 16, 2005
    Posts: 3,558
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    Doc.
    Member Emeritus
    from Shreveport,LA.

    Looks great Kev. Are the fasteners that hold the wood on brass?

    Doc.
     
    Doc., Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#11
  12. poorboy
    Joined: Feb 8, 2003
    Posts: 1,467
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    poorboy
    Member
    from San Diego, CA

    thats a good lookin steering wheel!
     
    poorboy, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#12
  13. Engine Pro 5X
    Joined: Feb 13, 2008
    Posts: 4,183
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    Engine Pro 5X
    Member
    from SAUSAGE CAPITOL US of A

    Sweet !! Did you make two ?? >>>>.
     
    Engine Pro 5X, Apr 22, 2009
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  14. general gow
    Joined: Feb 5, 2003
    Posts: 6,410
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    general gow
    MODERATOR
    from Taunton, MA
    Staff Member

    groovy. nicely done.
     
    general gow, Apr 22, 2009
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  15. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,584
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    Kevin Lee
    Super Moderator
    from KC,MO - The cradle of hot rodding
    Staff Member

    Good eye - the fasteners are actually loveless bolts. Brass in the middle and aluminum around the outside. These are the kind that give you a sort of birds-eye effect after they're finished. But I got a bit crazy trying to get it done in time so that particular part of the wheel doesn't look great, even though all of the individual pieces fit together perfectly.

    The final version would use something like a corby rivet that would finish off as a solid looking piece. Nicer I think. And I guess the material would depend on the kind of wood, or whatever the person buying it would want?
     
    Kevin Lee, Apr 22, 2009
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  16. BISHOP
    Joined: Jul 16, 2006
    Posts: 2,571
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    BISHOP
    Member
    from Blood Stained Texas

    I think you might have found a new business. Im sure you would sell many.
     
    BISHOP, Apr 22, 2009
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  17. Brandi
    Joined: Sep 1, 2007
    Posts: 1,041
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    Brandi
    Member
    from Omaha via Seattle

    Hey, that's pretty darn slick. Nice work!
     
    Brandi, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#17
  18. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,675
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    Ryan
    ADMINISTRATOR
    from Austin/Koloa
    Staff Member

    It's gorgeous in person... Heavy and tactile.
     
    Ryan, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#18
  19. Toast
    Joined: Jan 6, 2007
    Posts: 3,885
    Profile Page

    Toast
    Member
    from Jenks, OK

    Wow! that thing is cool! Maybe a little too cool for you!:rolleyes: You better send it to me!:D:D
     
    Toast, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#19
  20. pan-dragger
    Joined: Sep 13, 2006
    Posts: 3,186
    Profile Page

    pan-dragger
    Member
    from milE HIGH City

    wow!! thats bitch'n......

    how much?
     
    pan-dragger, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#20
  21. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985
    Profile Page

    fab32
    Member Emeritus
    from Bay City, Mi. USA

    Better post the particulars on this one. I'm certain there will be some interest.

    Frank
     
    fab32, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#21
  22. Kevin Lee
    Joined: Nov 12, 2001
    Posts: 7,584
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    Kevin Lee
    Super Moderator
    from KC,MO - The cradle of hot rodding
    Staff Member

    I'm not really sure. I didn't really design or build it to sell so I couldn't even venture a guess at this point. But I'm thinking there would be a base price for the core of the wheel and the total price would depend on what material you used for the rim.

    The cool part is the rim could be made from pretty much anything. Exotic woods, plastic... aluminum? plexiglass? cheeze?

    Forgot, the wheel is 16 inch.
     
    Kevin Lee, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#22
  23. moon man
    Joined: Nov 1, 2006
    Posts: 871
    Profile Page

    moon man
    BANNED
    from cortland ohio

    cool wheel , keep it up....
     
    moon man, Apr 22, 2009
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  24. -Brent-
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 7,366
    Profile Page

    -Brent-
    Member
    from Salt Lake City

    Beautiful.
     
    -Brent-, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#24
  25. turboroadster
    Joined: Apr 12, 2006
    Posts: 3,993
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    turboroadster
    Member
    from Cut and Shoot, Texas

    damn nice indeed.
     
    turboroadster, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#25
  26. turboroadster
    Joined: Apr 12, 2006
    Posts: 3,993
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    turboroadster
    Member
    from Cut and Shoot, Texas

    who wouldnt want a cheeeeeeeze wheeeeel?:D
     
    turboroadster, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#26
  27. woodbox
    Joined: Jul 11, 2005
    Posts: 1,231
    Profile Page

    woodbox
    Member
    from Whangarei New Zealand

    Kevin,
    Thats a great looking wheel. Its a very satisfying experience to make your own wheel, they always feel better than something from a factory. I recently made my own for my 27 T, using 1/4 alloy plate offcut and some Puriri (Local hardwood like Teak) scraps. I cut out the plate then pressed the centre boss. The pieces of wood join in differing place front to back to spread joins. I screwed from the back the used plugs of wood to fill after. The centre plate covers the fastenings for the quick change hub. The finish on the Alloy is bead blasted then clear coated and the wood is hand rubbed varnish with a rag....yip!
    It is a 13" wheel with a 1" diameter rim.
     

    Attached Files:

    woodbox, Apr 22, 2009
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  28. Hot Rod Ron
    Joined: Mar 7, 2001
    Posts: 3,863
    Profile Page

    Hot Rod Ron
    Member
    from Tucson/Phoenix AZ USA

    I would be down for a core and then I could build my own handle around it. If get price set up for the core let me know. Any more updates on your car its just bitchin.
     
    Hot Rod Ron, Apr 22, 2009
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  29. bobbleed
    Joined: May 11, 2001
    Posts: 3,117
    Profile Page

    bobbleed
    Member
    from Awesome

    Yeah, that pretty much rules.
     
    bobbleed, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#29
  30. dentprone
    Joined: Apr 11, 2009
    Posts: 122
    Profile Page

    dentprone
    Member
    from Trenton, FL

    Beautiful....excellent work
     
    dentprone, Apr 22, 2009
    SHARE POST#30
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