Solid Wood Stock Steering Wheels

[CDN OpelNut]

Hi All,

As some of you know, I have been reconditioning GT steering wheels for a few years now and offering the solid wood versions for sale on E-Bay.

I do this primarily so fellow Opel owners can address the usual cracks in the stock wheels without using adapters and aftermarket wheels. It’s never really been about the dollars, and has allowed me to combine my two hobbies and fund a few upgrades to my car.

Used steering wheels are not showing up on E-Bay much any more, and frankly, the ones that do are probably the better examples. I can use the really crappy ones that people probably don’t try to sell.

So I’ve decided to mostly offer to do this as a service rather than putting completed pieces on E-Bay.

I put up a site Opel GT Steering Wheels if you want to have a look.

Sorry if this belongs in the Ads section. I’ll put it there as well.

Also, if anyone has any really ratty wheels from parts cars that they are willing to part with – PM me

Corey

[newman27]

Those are beautiful! My steering wheel isn't cracked but that would still make a really nice upgrade - it's on my wish list now! BTW, I didn't see on the site whether or not you increase the "thickness" of the wheel itself. I would really like the diameter of the wood wheel thickened up a bit (without having to wrap it in some kind of vinyl or leather wrap). Is that part of the process?

Thanks,

Matt

[Phoenix]

Having recently seen one of these steering wheels in person, I can only say wow!

I intend to get one done in the future. The thing that I really like about it is the fact that it looks stock but is still an upgrade. Also, this is a way to save steering wheels that might have otherwise been thrown away!

The thickness of the wheel is halfway in between the thickness of aftermarket wheels and that of the stock wheel. A noticable difference in thickness for control but not that noticable in appearance.

What kind of stain best mimics the original finish of the stock steering wheels?

[CDN OpelNut]

Originally Posted by newman27 BTW, I didn't see on the site whether or not you increase the "thickness" of the wheel itself. I would really like the diameter of the wood wheel thickened up a bit (without having to wrap it in some kind of vinyl or leather wrap). Is that part of the process? Thanks, Matt

Matt - The steering wheels are 1" in diameter, which as Phoenix stated, is a bit thicker than stock.

Corey

[CDN OpelNut]

Originally Posted by Phoenix What kind of stain best mimics the original finish of the stock steering wheels?

There can be quite a variation in color within the wood, but generally, no stain at all gets pretty close.

[Rionart]

As someone who has bought two of Corey's wheels in the past, I can attest to the quality of his work...it is top notch!

[jordan]

It's really great that you can consistantly recondition steering wheels like this and offer them forsale. It is a ton of work as I have made several in the past with cherry and I could not make it cost effective.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by CDN OpelNut Matt - The steering wheels are 1" in diameter, which as Phoenix stated, is a bit thicker than stock. Corey

That's a nice bonus to the stunning good looks!

Thanks,

Matt

[RallyBob]

So would you be willing to do a custom wheel a bit bigger in cross-section? Maybe 1.25" or so?

I'm thinking about some walnut, if I can find some that is highly figured. I'd like to put a nicer steering wheel on my father's GT, but I certainly don't have the time to mess around with it.

Bob

[CDN OpelNut]

Originally Posted by RallyBob So would you be willing to do a custom wheel a bit bigger in cross-section? Maybe 1.25" or so? Bob

Bob - Anything is possible....My jigs are set up for 1" diameter so the steering wheels have a perfectly round cross-section. In order to go beefier, I would either keep the 1" depth and go 1.25" across the face which would keep the inner and outer edges round, or go 1.25" in both directions resulting in rounded over edges with a slight flat spot on the edges. (this is what I have in my GT)

To get a perfectly round wheel with a 1.25" diameter would require a new shaper bit which I can't justify.

[BQS4]

I can attest to the fact that what Corey does is simply AWESOME!! I have mine right here and it is a work of art! In fact, when you look at Corey's site, mine "was" the "before" with just the wire rim you see in the picture. To see what I have here on my desk, you would say "No way!"
Take a bow Corey, you deserve it!

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by CDN OpelNut Bob - Anything is possible....My jigs are set up for 1" diameter so the steering wheels have a perfectly round cross-section. In order to go beefier, I would either keep the 1" depth and go 1.25" across the face which would keep the inner and outer edges round, or go 1.25" in both directions resulting in rounded over edges with a slight flat spot on the edges. (this is what I have in my GT) To get a perfectly round wheel with a 1.25" diameter would require a new shaper bit which I can't justify.

What type of cutters do you use? 'We' (meaning my father's business) cut our own knives for a lot of our machinery, plus we already have a lot of shaper/moulder knives in inventory. In fact I used to grind the knives for our moulders years ago.

I'm just not much of a woodworker personally, and have little spare time right now. I'd rather pay someone to do it.

Ergonomically, I'd actually prefer a 1.25" depth, and 1" across the face, as I find an 'oval' fits the hand better.

Bob

[CDN OpelNut]

Originally Posted by RallyBob Ergonomically, I'd actually prefer a 1.25" depth, and 1" across the face, as I find an 'oval' fits the hand better. Bob

I'm just a little workshop with simple tools Your stuff looks awesome.

1.25" deep and 1" across the face would actually be easier for me.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by CDN OpelNut I'm just a little workshop with simple tools Your stuff looks awesome. 1.25" deep and 1" across the face would actually be easier for me.

I sent you a PM. Merci!

[Ricky Slade]

I just sent you an e-mail. Hope to here from you soon. This is really great that so many folks are familiar with your work. My confidence in placing an order is influeced tremendously by this site and the comments. It appears your reputation preceeds you. Let me know about the mahogany and mailing instructions. How long is the turn around?

[CDN OpelNut]

Originally Posted by Ricky Slade I just sent you an e-mail. Hope to here from you soon. This is really great that so many folks are familiar with your work. My confidence in placing an order is influeced tremendously by this site and the comments. It appears your reputation preceeds you. Let me know about the mahogany and mailing instructions. How long is the turn around?

Ricky - Check your Inbox for the info. I should be able to ship within a couple of weeks of getting your core.

Cheers.

[badmaxdog]

I had recieved my redone steering wheel today from Corey. Let me tell you it is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L The craftmanship is top notch!!! Anyone who has an Opel Gt needs to have this done!!! Look at my before and after-Padlo_Comparison.jpg

[Ricky Slade]

Just recently I recieved my completed reconditioned steering wheel from Corey. This is a work of art. He not only produced a quality product, he worked with me to customize it as requested. Actually better. The color of the stain and the shape of the wood as well as the mahagony wood used was very well done. Thanks to this dude, he takes care of all the details including shipping info and tracking.

[newman27]

Anyone have any ideas on how to remove / repair minor scratches in the steering wheel "spokes"? They appear to be made of brushed aluminum but I'm not sure. Eventually I'd like to get one of these reconditioned steering wheels from Corey but first would like to find a way to remove some scratches from the spokes.

Thanks,

Matt

[namba209]

Matt, it depends on how deep the scratches are as to how I would take them out, that and the thickness of the spokes. If you want to retain the "brushed" appearance, I would suggest using 3M wet/dry 320 paper, wet, going in the direction of the brushed look. Graduating up in number (400/600) to get the look you want. For an almost chrome appearance, I use the same 400/600 piece, I used wet and continually use it dry until I can see myself in the reflection, then rubbing compound, polishing compound and finish it with "Simichrome". It's a lot of work/time, I lose my fingerprints and my fingers turn black from the oxide. Here's a couple of pics to show how far you can remove scratches and polish aluminum. HTH.

[newman27]

Ron,

Looks good! Thanks for the tips!

Matt