MyE28.com

I designed and made a steering wheel from scratch for my 5er and filmed it.

Here's the youtube video detailing the whole process. It's about 40 minutes.
https://youtu.be/3HEZS95IaM8

Some images of the process:

CAD modeling on Fusion 360


I prepared dimensioned some blanks of Claro walnut from which to mill the wood grips


Cutting the steering wheel on a waterjet


Milling the walnut grips on a 3-axis router


Rounding over the hard edges


I had a metal finishing shop bead-blast and anodize the wheel


Making a walnut/aluminum/walnut sandwich


I added an inlay to the wheel as a center indicator. I used some 1/4" aluminum tube and found a wood dowel that matched the interior diameter.


Steam-bending walnut strips to fill the gap between the two grips



Applying finish


Final product

Nicely done. It's amazing what one can do these days with computer controlled routers, water jets, etc. I think I would have gone with a little thinner rim but that's just personal preference. It would have been easy enough to include finger grips on the back side too, if desired.

Now you need to make a matching shift knob.

WHAT? That's just crazy cool. Kuddos man. And I can't seem to get to any of my deep projects in the pandemic.

Geez that’s super dope!!

Wow, where's the emoticon for jaw drop? I guess bow will have to do. Out of a solid walnut slab? Wow, I've never even seen one of them. How many hours did it take? Having the right tools obviously helps, but still, amazing.

Very cool! How's it feel?

Mike W. wrote: Nov 16, 2020 7:51 PM ... Out of a solid walnut slab? ...

Looks like it's some planks that are edge-glued, but yes, amazing is still the word!

Exceptional! Congratulations.

Very cool!

That's impressive. Great job.

Very cool.

You obviously have considerable knowledge, experience and tools. But just how many hours do you have in it? Not that many or afraid to try to total it?

BTW, I just noticed you're local.

Real Nice!
I have access to a CNC and more at work, and my lazy ass didn't take advantage of any of it during the slow covid time.

travisj wrote: Nov 21, 2020 6:52 PM Real Nice!
I have access to a CNC and more at work, and my lazy ass didn't take advantage of any of it during the slow covid time.

Yeah, while it's stunning to look at and even more to see it being made, personally l like the feel of a leather wrapped wheel.

Mike W. wrote: Nov 20, 2020 10:12 PM You obviously have considerable knowledge, experience and tools. But just how many hours do you have in it? Not that many or afraid to try to total it?

BTW, I just noticed you're local.

Probably 20 hours not including the 3 hour class I took to learn to use the waterjet but I'm going to use it for a lot of projects in the future. Thanks for the compliments!

davintosh wrote: Nov 16, 2020 8:22 PM Very cool! How's it feel?

Mike W. wrote: Nov 16, 2020 7:51 PM ... Out of a solid walnut slab? ...

Looks like it's some planks that are edge-glued, but yes, amazing is still the word!

Yeah the wood grips are three boards glued together, so six pieces of walnut in total for the wheel. Most people would make a hexagon or octagon with a band clamp but that reminds me of prewar cars and boats, I wanted the grain running in the same direction the car is traveling. Thanks for the compliments!

this is legit, nice work! I love seeing the pictures and the process, I have been thinking of trying this myself with my freshly built MPCNC (3-axis router made from 3d printed components).

Bryan