Burnt steering wheel

[Stepney 2,325]

Evening, all.
After finally getting my little Ranger to actually run half decent, I took it for a little yard ride. Slowly tracking down parts for it, have a belt cover now, still need to locate a fender pan and possibly a steering wheel.

But here's my question..

Can anyone think up some way to repair the original wheel? I considered a LOT of friction tape, then fit one of those old style steering wheel leather covers tight over it..

The tractor supposedly burnt years ago and all that remains of the wheel is a metal hoop. Being a Ranger, of course, the wheel is deeper than the normal WH. I've yet to find one to replace it.

I have other columns but it would look rather goofy with a taller column and GT size wheel. 

Anybody have another interesting idea short of a quarter mile of tape?

[WHNJ701 4,165]

That 2 part putty made jb weld?

[Handy Don 12,662]

I'll start. 

Make a mold out of flexible plastic pipe like PEX that has an inner diameter of what you'd like the grip of the wheel to have, say 1.5" for a fat grip?  Cut open lengthwise. Tape the ends together so it makes a circular trough that the wheel fits into without touching any side. Suspend the wheel in the trough centered all around and stabilized.  Fill the trough/mold with a good epoxy. Remove the mold after epoxy has cured and grind/file/sand the epoxy where needed. I presume you'll leave the spokes as plain metal.

It won't look pretty, but if you cover it or paint it, you should be ok.

Edited January 29, 2021 by Handy Don

[8ntruck 7,183]

A lot of work, but you could make a mold (silicone?) Of an original wheel, then use it to cast resin of some sort around your skeleton.

 

You a wood worker? Make a covering out of hardwood to go over the skeleton.

 

Have access to a 3d printer?  Model a new grip and print it in sections, epoxy to the skeleton.

Edited January 29, 2021 by 8ntruck

[Handy Don 12,662]

Just now, 8ntruck said:

A lot of work, but you could make a mold (silicone?) Of an original wheel, then use it to cast resin of some sort around your skeleton.

 

You a wood worker? Make a covering out of hardwood to go over the skeleton.

Good point if you can get access to an unburnt wheel! Sugru would also work for making a mold from an original but be sure to use a parting agent so it doesn't stick. It could also be used to hand-shape the wheel itself. It is rubberlike when cured as opposed to epoxy with gets very hard.

[ebinmaine 68,887]

Interesting thread. 

 

I don't have any actual ideas but my workshop is yours if we have any tools you need. 

[stevasaurus 22,914]

@buckrancher  repaired a steering wheel in one of his outstanding threads.  Maybe he can help here.    Also, we have a member that makes new steering wheels...in Indiana I think.  I picked one up for somebody some years ago at Mentone.

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

A pool noodle might work

[roadapples 6,983]

15 minutes ago, jabelman said:

A pool noodle might work

I was thinking pipe insulation 

[SylvanLakeWH 26,155]

How about that plastic “dip” stuff? 
 

@Oldskool just used it on some handles in his screw build thread...

[Oldskool 6,658]

Micro-lite body filler. It's pretty tough stuff. Maybe tint it black? I think its strong enough for a steering wheel. You could put it on bit by bit and sand to shape. Or make a 2 part mold from Plaster of Paris from a differant wheel and use it that way. If you dont like the finish you could string wrap it like they did on the old custom cars.

[wallfish 17,114]

Wrap with rope and cover that with epoxy?

Clear epoxy and leave the rope show if you pick a cool rope?

[wallfish 17,114]

Wrap with rope and cover that with epoxy?

Clear epoxy and leave the rope show if you pick a cool rope?

[Pullstart 63,204]

1 hour ago, stevasaurus said:

@buckrancher  repaired a steering wheel in one of his outstanding threads.  Maybe he can help here.    Also, we have a member that makes new steering wheels...in Indiana I think.  I picked one up for somebody some years ago at Mentone.

 

 

 

[Chestnut 315]

I was sidetracked for a while and some of my ideas are already on the forum. If possible take a plaster or silicone casting of another good wheel of the same diameter. Use the casting as a mold (need two halves of the mold). usually people get air out of plaster with vibration. Silicone with vacuum. Unfortunately the pro's use a liquid silicone which can be pricey. Not sure how well regular RTV from a tube would release air bubbles. Might need some hand work to smooth out a silicone mold. Need release agent when making the casting and the final wheel. 

Cast the wheel with epoxy, polyester (hard) or urethane (soft-ish) depending on what durometer you pick. 

https://www.mcmaster.com/urethane-casting-compounds/

 

 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

3 d printer?

[ebinmaine 68,887]

How 'bout a wood mold to hold the above mentioned compounds in a nice tight secure space?

 

[Chestnut 315]

20 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

How 'bout a wood mold to hold the above mentioned compounds in a nice tight secure space?

 

Flat piece of plywood could be the base of the mold. Two strips of scrap formica, fiberboard or SKOP sheet could make the inner and outer rings of the mold. Fasten, glue, seal to the plywood. 

[953 nut 56,181]

3 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

You a wood worker? Make a covering out of hardwood to go over the skeleton.

@formariz loves to demonstrate his wood working prowess and is always up for a new challenge.            

[ebinmaine 68,887]

2 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

@formariz loves to demonstrate his wood working prowess and is always up for a new challenge.            

THAT is an idea. 

 

[WHX?? 49,488]

First I thought of too is Silvia's idea of plastic  dip but might be too soft? 

Strange Spence you can't find a decent used one? Maybe talk to @dclarke he is a LR fan. 

Edited January 30, 2021 by WHX24
speeling

[71_Bronco 1,072]

My thought would be repeated dips in that plasti-dip to get the desired thickness.

 

Not sure how you are with Para-Cord, but some people like the grippy-ness of paranoid wrapped knife handles. Could do something interesting with that.

[Chestnut 315]

1 hour ago, jabelman said:

3 d printer?

It would be an awesome application for a 3d printer. Would need the person with the right combination of skills. Like so many things with these restorations, would have to be worth the $$  to the buyer. could be applied to other plastic or hard rubber parts as well

https://www.amazon.com/SpiderMaker-SpiderFlex-Flexible-Printing-Filament/dp/B08C2X4CD7/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=3d+printing+filament+elastomer&qid=1611971439&s=industrial&sr=1-7

 

[8ntruck 7,183]

2 hours ago, 953 nut said:

@formariz loves to demonstrate his wood working prowess and is always up for a new challenge.            

Here, here.  That would make an interesting build thread, too.

[8ntruck 7,183]

1 hour ago, Chestnut said:

It would be an awesome application for a 3d printer. Would need the person with the right combination of skills. Like so many things with these restorations, would have to be worth the $$  to the buyer. could be applied to other plastic or hard rubber parts as well

https://www.amazon.com/SpiderMaker-SpiderFlex-Flexible-Printing-Filament/dp/B08C2X4CD7/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=3d+printing+filament+elastomer&qid=1611971439&s=industrial&sr=1-7

 

I'm thinking about buying a 3d printer, later this year. Was thinking about control knobs and trim pieces.  But there is no reason that piecesto skin a steering wheel would not be possible.