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MG Midget and Sprite General - Wooden steering wheel ideas?

I have an old wheel, that I'm thinking of replacing the rubber/vinyl portion with wood.
Does anyone have any ideas, thoughts, or plans.
Thanks, Phil
Phil Burke

Phil, I've heard of a couple of guys doing that. It really depends on how thick the steel core is underneath the vinyl. If you want the finger bumps that adds another whole level of difficulty, if you want a smooth rim then you could cut that with a router. You'd need to set up a jig so that you could turn the router 360 degrees and rout out the shape of the steel core in your blank, two halves that would be glued together later, and then use the router to round off the edges on the other side. Glue it together over the core and then finish. A lot of work considering the price of a new wood wheel, but then you'd have something unique.
B Young

Yes as a I was trained as a wood worker I have thought of it countless times.
But I like a leather wheel better so never made one.

You have 2 options if you want to make it out of solid wood rather than ply.

First one depends on dividing the circle in 6 or 8 even pieces.
Then you cut straight pieces at an angle evening out the direction of the grain each time.
Then router to a circulair mold and shape any way you like.

The second one depends on bending the wood with steem....
My favorite way of shaping wood as it will become as flexible as clay!!!!

I'll search for the correct US termonoligy and some examples.
Onno K

I've done some looking on the net, and have seen a few methods.
I also was a woodworker/cabinet maker, and used the steam method to bend radiused wooden counter top edges. I never was fond of all the seams, since the wood had to be cut so thin, especially since I'm thinking of using some exotic hardwood.
I'll probably make a plywood template to glue everything up, and then use that as a router guide for the inside and outside cuts
The block method would be my preferred route.
I'm thinking of using original spokes, but would like to take an inch or so off the diameter of the stock wheel. How much is practical for driving?
With wide enough boards., I was hoping to use 3- pieces instead of 6-8 as Onno suggests. Any drawbacks, other than a lot of wasted wood?
Thanks, Phil
Phil Burke

Make your life really easy, take inspiration from the Austin Allegro and make your steering wheel square.

Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

3 pieces
Sounds like a little to less.
You want the edge to be mostly along the grain otherwise you get a lot of colour and texture difference.


The steam bending I did was with rather big chunks.
30x40mm when using the right sort of wood (walnut works great)

If you use the pieces methode you need to reinforce the rim as only glue will not be strong enough to take the strain small mistakes.
Onno K

Phil, Here's what Tom Smith is doing.

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?3,1901741

Peter C
Peter Caldwell

If I read correctly he is inserting a metal ring.
That is the way to go to get the strength you want for safety.
Certianly when using burr pieces like he is.
Onno K

Phil, I run a 13" wood rimmed wheel on my Midget and it's ok for steering effort even with the large 205 size tires. A little heavy when parking, but at any speed at all it lightens up fine. If your spokes are steel then shortening them and welding on a new rim is possible if you can form or find a suitable size ring. I did that with an old Banjo style wheel for my MGA project.

B Young

B young, off topic, but I like your front overriders on the lower valance. How did you mount them?
Lawrence Slater

Onno,
Thanks for the good advice about strength. How do you apply the steam to the wood, to accurately bend it around a round template?
The stock wheel is 15 1/2", I might only go down 1 to 1 1/2 inches.
Phil Burke

Phil

Ive got a new never installed wooden wheel...14 inch ...i can give you a friendship deal on...its not for sale..but if you need it, ill let it go to you.

Email me off board or PM me if your intrested


Prop
Prop

Phil, email me off line. I have an article around somewhere from a fellow who did it. Instead of steaming the wood, he let it soak for about 3 days and then formed it around a template.

I've seen the completed wheel and it looked great!

Clive Reddin

After some research, and much (ok, just a little) I've come to my senses and will be purchasing and not inventing a wheel. Thanks anyway Clive.
Prop, you have email.

Thanks, for everyone's help and opinions, Phil
Phil Burke

This thread was discussed between 29/11/2011 and 30/11/2011

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