pfenlon Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 After looking at steering wheels for quite a while I couldn't find one that I wanted. I have an original wheel but the rim isn't the best, pretty much what you would expect after few years. A repair is very expensive too. Having had a woodrim and a leather Motolita, but good as they are, its just not quite right. So. I put the angle grinder through the 3 sets of 4 spokes at the outer rim, bought a half inch length of stainless steel round bar, and went to the ring bending factory in Manchester. They have made me a perfect 14 inch diameter O/D, ring. I have made the horn and spokes fit into the ring and will get it welded in tomorrow. The trimmer is to cover it with some sort of hard sponge material, before applying the leather. It will be 14.5 inches diameter, and the rim about 1" diameter just about an inch smaller than the standard item. BTW to make a rim from Nylon/plastic on the printer is 30Pence per gramme, which exceeded the budget! The leather bit is something beyond my ability, does anyone know if there are varying types of leather? and which one is best please. Also has the TR4 registrar got another Email address I have tried twice to contact him in the last two weeks without success. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malcolm Tatton Posted January 29, 2013 Report Share Posted January 29, 2013 (edited) At CLM I met someone who had made his wood rimmed wheel from scratch. He'd taken an ali plate, cut out the chassis (for want of a better word), made two wooden rings and fixed them with rivets. He'd stained the wood in a very classy satin black and the whole job looked the dogs. Guess the time spent must have been huge, but the cost maybe not too much. Altogether very impressive, I'm sure that yours will look great Pete and hope you post some photos when it's finished! Malcolm Edited January 30, 2013 by Malcolm T Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wayne taylor Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Now I have heard it all! Someone has made their own steering wheel??????? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Reinvented is the term you're looking for . . . . . Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Millward Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Post some pictures Pete, would like to see that. Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Actually like me, he has only made a new rim. And retained the original stainless-steel wire spokes and hub. I had three castings made in alloy to pick up the spokes and retain the original shape. About the leather. You will of course need something thin and stretchy. I was watching a Youtube clip about stretching leather to cover odd shapes. You soften it with a mixture of alcohol, detergent and somthing else. Al. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BrianC Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Also has the TR4 registrar got another Email address I have tried twice to contact him in the last two weeks without success. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PM sent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted January 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PM sent. Thank you Brian. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted January 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Actually like me, he has only made a new rim. And retained the original stainless-steel wire spokes and hub.I had three castings made in alloy to pick up the spokes and retain the original shape. About the leather. You will of course need something thin and stretchy. I was watching a Youtube clip about stretching leather to cover odd shapes. You soften it with a mixture of alcohol, detergent and somthing else. Al. Were the castings you made to hold the spokes at the rim end? and if so, were they left exposed after your rim was completed, and what sort of rim did you fit. Trying to pick up ideas before I go too far, would be good to see a pic or two Alan? Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR 2100 Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 I use the original steering wheel with a black leather cover that has just a modicum of padding. Suits me. AlanR Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 I used a flat stainless ring and cap-screwed it into a slot in the castings. The castings were polished and do show. Then there are mahogany infills to come to finished profile. Inside like original. Outside like a wood-rim. Al. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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