Woodgrain GSR steering wheel EOI....b4 and after pics

[Scorpma82]

Hi guys,

So basically I've been at it again.
I've been pondering with (another) idea regarding a woodgrain steering wheel, using the GSR unit as a base platform

Being a 4 spoke unit, my intentions were put but in a section of woodgrain (at approx 10 o'clock -> 2 o'clock) at the top area at (approx 7 o'clock -> 5 o'clock) on the bottom section...this is to match the woodgrain door trims, gear knob, H/B lever etc etc etc

N.B. Before the purists tear my head for this....i have NOT used a genuine GSR wheel for this feasability study....im using a sporty looking 3 spoke late model galant wheel



Any +ve or _ve feed back on this would be great to hear.

Hopefully pics will be up soon

[bruggz351]

Wood is good.
I like the door card and would love to see a wheel.

I actually have an old SAAS sporty that the grip has deteriorated and have toyed with the idea of either wood or chain.

I dunno how to go about it though...

[Scorpma82]

weeeelllllll...it's sorta stumped me too as too how i'll go about it...but have come up with sort of a solution

but as always, i'm just gonna wing it and see where i end up lol

[A112H]

Try this

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cherry-Wood- ... 3cb5f95557

[Scorpma82]

NO. NO. NO.



No contact.......i want to use real timber....

[A112H]

lol

[75wagon]

How would you finish off the edge of the original wheel padding to join up with the new?
You'd really want it to be the same diameter (thickness of the grip) the whole way around.

[A112H]

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/diy ... eel-1.html

[geezer101]

This is going to turn into one of those jobs that will not end... The amount of modification to the original metal rim alone will be huge. Then the finish has to be durable enough to stand up to day to day use, and environmental exposure (if you have ever owned a car with a wooden rim steering wheel you will already know how they look after a while) and they are CRAP to drive with. We don't live in the lovely English countryside and having your hands slip from a red hot wheel does not equal the joys of motoring. Try your hand at stitching up a leather wheel first. No special tools needed or sewing machine needed - just a good strip of leather, some sharp scissors, and some waxed cotton thread and a tough needle (and patience)

[A112H]

I did mine in leather, very happy with the result. Besides, I hate wood grain, every last piece has been removed from the Galant

This is the only pic I could find

[Scorpma82]

Well, I like woodgrain, despite being an 'english' thing, Its been in Fairlanes and Statesmans for many years now, not to mention all the European cars.....besides, i like to be different, and if it works, it will be very unique (since it will home made)......if it doesn't...then i'll but a woodgrain steering wheel at autobarn

[bruggz351]

Scorpma, I like your style, man.

[Scorpma82]

hopefully i can get some work done on wed/thur......sadly the pics from my phone didnt translate onto the computer


thanks for ur comments bruggz351

[Scorpma82]

OK, it's 100% complete as yet.....but it's completed enough to see the finished result....pics will be showns the second they are loaded on

[A112H]

Are you using dial up on your 486? Thats a long time to load, lol

[Scorpma82]

havent loaded them obviously.....phone doesnt talk to the computer very well for some reason.

will use an actual camera and see how that goes

[Scorpma82]

before pic



after pic



lemme know what you think

[bruggz351]

Thats pretty cool

What about more wood on the bottom? ie. the areas between the spokes.

Just a thought. Would balance it better I think...

How did you go about attaching the wood to the wheel?

cheers

[Scorpma82]

yeah i'd do it with a 4-spoke wheel.........its pretty much glued together......but its tuff glue

[A112H]

Looks better than I thought it would.
I would be interested in seeing some pics of how you did it.
What do you have to stop the rubber/foam from shrinking away from the wood? Or to stop it from coming loose and twisting on the rim?

[Scorpma82]

the rubber should move at all.......its not heated or cooled....it was simply cut with a stanley knife (it makes the clenest cut), then slit down the centre length wise....peeled off the wheel like a normal rubber hose

After that I slit the rubber down the other side of the rubber so i had two halves. i had drawn them up on the plank of timber, cut out with a jigsaw.

Then I used a dremel (equipped with an aggresive grit sandpaper) to grind out a groove in the underside of the timber (to match the steel frame).

After that, I used the same dremel (and tip) to start rounding out the outter side to match the rubber. (i would dummy the timber to see where it needed more grinding...and continue on till it was shaped accoringly.

After that, I used a Black and Decker mouse with a fine grit sandpaper to sand it all smooth...stained it (with the same stain that I used for the door skins) and fitted on the wheel......

I still need to do the back section so its totally complete....but at least you can see the final result


Hope you all like it