hey all, I just installed a new steering wheel I bought off ebay. There is a woodworker in Michigan that is creating new wheels for more than half of what the major suppliers want. I paid $150 for this one vs. <$380 at the suppliers. I had to point out that this wheel is awesome and the quality is excellent. I am very impressed. I know the purists will get overly-stimulated looking at the two tone, BUT the guy can make original styles too. I just like the different grains and colors. Thought I'd throw out the email if anyone was interested, he can custom make what you need:
www.WOODBYKEVINALLEN.COM
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-tone-Mahogany-Model-T-steering-wheel-rim-16-O-D-13-1 -2-I-D-w-spider-/231055606384?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AI T&nma=true&si=118CA4E%252Blr4hmZjKE1rfIh55MYE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
this is it, but the color is off, it was getting dark out.
Did yours come with the spider? The wood is $145 from Langs. The $324 version includes a new brass spider. Or chrome spider for $345. Nice wheel but you need to compare apples to apples.
The ad states "with spider" although it is black.
It came with the spider. Looks real nice to me.
$90 unfinished oak wood only from this guy. Free shipping. No connection, but I have been thinking about a wood wheel . . .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oak-Model-T-steering-wheel-rim-17-O-D-14-1-4-I-D-Unfinis hed/231060552626?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT% 26ao%3D1%26asc%3D17856%26meid%3D1549427706620981462%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D8141% 26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D231055606384%26#ht_329wt_1070
oooh, I wonder if he'd do Osage. I'd have to get him new tools, but it'd be pretty.
Allan from down under..
How about one made of purple gidge?
A couple of years ago, while at Hershey, I met a guy who made exact copies of the original one piece steering wheels used in the teens. They were fantastic, and exactly like original. They were over $200 as I recall, but liking stuff done correctly, that is the way I would go.
Ok, ok... I take back my apples.
It's expensive and time consuming to make one but once you have the tools and jigs set up, a person could make 10 or 15 a day. I think they are still pricey at that rate.
Good job Ken!
As a woodworker, I always enjoy this sort of stuff.
Is that 3/4 roundover bit?
Michael
They're not my pictures but I think it is 3/4". The wheel is flipped to round over the other side. I saved about five or six pictures of the process a few of years ago. I didn't make a note of who originally posted the pictures but they should get total credit for the job. I think they were from 2010. I'm starting to need pictures as a reminder so I swipe them when I remember.
Hi Ken
This would appear to be the original source . . .
http://woodworkerszone.com/wiki/index.php?title=A_Wooden_Steering_Wheel
Art
Thanks Art, that's it! No wonder I couldn't find it on MTFCA.
Nice Wheel! I'm not sure anyone knows this but Stutzman's Wheel Shop makes perfect one piece, steam bent steering wheels out of white oak. The wheels have the original splice and are exact copies of the original. I paid $100 for an unfinished wheel, and Noah Stutzman can make a wheel out of a variety of different woods.
Hope this helps,
Russ Furstnow