mrg

A work of art. .. You sir, are a true craftsman!

It would be nice to have a thicker steering wheel. Fingers get kind of stiff on long drives with the stock wheel.

I'd like to take a crack building a new steering wheel as you've done. Thanks for providing the great tutorial!
John

vettebuyer6369

This is a great thread showing the OPs awesome work.

Please don't get it closed by turning it into a Non Supporting Vendor direction.

Nowhere Man

sorry I am just astounded by his talents, and skills.

Ron Miller

Question: In your photos showing the teak pieces laid out for glue up, the small pieces of teak placed between the joints appear to be the same color of wood as the larger pieces. But, in the final photos of the completed wheel, the smaller inserts between the larger rim pieces stand out and appear darker than the others (which is desirable, I would think).

I'm assuming they were glued up as shown in the first of your photos, why do they appear darker in the completed wheel?

(Please forgive my ignorance . . . . . . )

TCracingCA

for the guys without talent- fly into Jakarta with an example wheel in your carry on bags. Go out to the countryside and purchase a pig, water buffalo and two chickens and then go find a guy who makes wood/metal products for tourists!

69red

The small pieces are the same teak. They are glued up cross (grain running in opposite direction) to the larger pieces. According to the Restorer magazine GM tests showed that building a wheel this way was safer in an accident. I guess they felt that the wheel would break into pieces at these joints. The thin wood spacers appear darker because once the wheel is shaped most of the exposed wood of these spacers is end grain. End grain absorbs more wood finish and reflects light differently so it appears darker.

Westlotorn

Nice Work. Enjoyed reading about the project.

Ron Miller

Thanks, I suspected that to be the case, but wasn't sure. I think I'm gonna start on a wheel as well, thanks to your inspiration! I've got a donor in the shop, and do a little woodworking myself.

Appreciate your answer, and the detailed photos and explanation in your thread showing how you accomplished the construction. Beautiful work, as others have noted!

csysman

WOW !!! amazing how long did it take to make ?

dharris45

Question for 69RED:

I made a copy of your instructions and will be making a teak wheel. One questions if you don't mind.
You used a 2" diameter 3/4" radius roundover bit and a 1 1/4" diameter 3/8" roundover bit. I have the 3/8" bit but am having trouble finding a large 3/4" roundover bit in 1/4" shank.

I have the same router circle jig as you used and it is made for 1/4" bits.

Do you have a 1/4" shank bit or did you use a 1/2" shank?

Thanks,
Don

c6miller

I had a basement filled with woodworking equipment and taught myself to make clocks, trays, tool boxes, music boxes etc, from the nicest maples, but I would not know how to begin to acquire the skills you have to make a steering wheel. You can be proud of your work.

cramus

I have made several of them. The quarter round bits I used in my router table. You only use a 1/4 straight bit in the circle jig. To cut the circles and route for teak inlay.

John BX NY

I got your ZO6

Wow! Thank you for sharing. I am mesmerize by how even your finger groove spacing is and the consistency of the grooves!

LouieM

Gorgeous wheel! What craftsmanship, attention to detail, and great writeup.

solidaxel

Well that sums it up.............Talent, Experience, and Patience!

I'm still working on all three after 7 decades!

tomy62

Really beautiful job! I am in awe of your skill which is way beyond my own. End product is art!

I'll C2 it

I recently bought a beautiful Freeman wheel on line and it was $$$. Makes me appreciate what I just got!!!

project63

04-25-2015, 04:45 pm

reno stallion

No worries man the dude is using a fake name