Wood steering wheel

[erikk]

This is mostly just a test/practice run and if it goes well I'll make a few of them, whether its on the cnc or at home with a router.

Background: I own a few old bmw's, most have the same steering wheel attachment, have wheels to spare and always wanted a wood steering wheel.
I'm starting with an old (1980s) bmw steering wheel (370mm four spoke), ripping off the foam and rubber, horn buttons, and starting back with the metal frame.





I've got everything measured up, and a general idea of what I want to do, just need to figure out how to use the cnc.
I looked up g-code and kinda know the format and the basic commands.

The only part I'm planning so far is the rim. Each piece I cut will cover 60 degrees (1/6th of the wheel) but there is a front piece and a back piece for each so I can get it onto the frame. The front will wrap around more so the seams are hidden at the back.
The radius will be around 1.5 cm so hopefully I can find a bit that will work well, and maybe a small angle v bit to get around the spokes.

Also might have to think of something clever to clamp the piece to the table since I have to round two corners and then flip to do the other two.

Hopefully I'll be around tomorrow to see how well it will work

[DigitalOSH]

Please update this thread as much as you can! I have a steering wheel i'd like to replace with something made out of a nice hardwood and I'm curious to see how your work turns out

[Ray-Design]

here how I whould make it.
the PDF-File shows a way to machine the Frontpart on the CNC-Router. To machine the Backpart is similar.

[erikk]

here how I whould make it.
the PDF-File shows a way to machine the Frontpart on the CNC-Router. To machine the Backpart is similar.

That is incredibly close to what I was thinking. That one might be a bit more efficient but it's stuff I might have thought of after doing it once or twice. Thanks that will probably save me some time.

I'm cutting the first one on a router with a circular jig to get an idea of what I need and its a good thing I did because the bits I thought would work didn't really do what I wanted.

[erikk]

Update

Here's the jig for the router:


random 2x4 ripped into 2x2 screwed together at 45 degrees. one screw on each end holds the piece I'm working, careful to position it so the bit doesn't hit the screw. Used a drill bit for the pin by the 45 angle to pivot for the right radius of the wheel. Needed shims to get the right height so I can cut both front and back without moving the piece on the jig.

First tries don't have to be pretty right?



Was really annoying having the bit guide bearing in the way not realizing it comes off, had to do cuts to open access so it didn't run into the bearing or shank. Should be much easier with the guide off next time.
Also I ordered this: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/140953143392?ssP ... 1497.l2649 to cut the time in half

[erikk]

Update.
Made a few changes to the shape and took a few tries but got one good piece out of it so far.
I'll try to get better pictures next time.