Very Nice Wheel

[jdr]

      And you thought I was talking about the kind with rubber around it. I thought you guys might like to see this and hope you can {first photo post}. I don't like plastic so like most of us, I did it my way and this is what I ended up with. If there is some interest I may consider making some more.   Jim

[H3Jim]

and what would something like that cost?  It sure is beautiful. 

I wonder if it would be affected by the big swings in temperature and humidity that our buses endure.  I live in southern Cal, and through those big windows, that sun can be brutal.

[sweeney153]

Great wheel. did you make it or buy it? If you made it are you going to make more?

[Dreamscape]

Wow, nice job!

How did you strengthen it internally?

I'm sure this would be used for power steering applications.

Great application of differant woods,

Paul

[Tenor]

Woh!  Thats gorgeous!

[Brian Diehl]

Very impressive Jim!  Awesome craftsmanship.

Did you use UV resistant finish on the wood?

[makemineatwostroke]

If, you guys want a wood steering wheel and don't have time to make you one VIP has one it has a metal spoke that you could cover with wood

[luvrbus]

JDR nice looking wheel are the spokes metal with wood covering and the hub would have to be made of metal because of the splines  right   good work

[jdr]

    The wheel is a stock MCI wheel and I used a hammer to bust all of the plastic off of it. I then turned some brazilian cherry,ribbon maple,baccoti,burl? and misur birch to fit around the steel rim,spokes and hub. Not sure about some of that wood spelling. I think the heat and sun issues will be ok. I made another wheel that has seen temp ranges from 30-115 degrees without problems. Sun is not good for anything and I don't plan on exposing it to the sun for long periods of time. This type of steering wheel was very popular on many European and American sports cars from the 20's clear into the 60's and I'm sure some of those saw much more sun than mine will. I use two part epoxy to glue everything to the the steel parts of the wheel and with the laminated wood I think it will be pretty stable. I used spray laquer finish with no uv but would on another one.      Jim

[hiwaycallin]

I'll take one. Where do I sign up? 

[buswarrior]

Is UV protection necessary with the windshield in the equation?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[HB of CJ]

Very cool indeed. Did you use 4130 round/square tubing and flat stock inside, then add the wood exterior?  I wanted to do the same thing with my Crown steering wheel sossss I could see the boost/pyro combo gage above the tack and speedo.  Have not done it yet.