When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I recently started working at a wood shop in Hawaii. The owner's son has an S13 2JZ coupe and we came up with the idea of making some parts for cars using our huge CNC 4 axis router. Hoping to make some extra money as a side gig. Also I want to make some parts for my RX8.
Its a machine designed for woods, plastics, softer materials. Not metal so we work with what we got. I have plans for forged carbon fiber wheels in the future, and hybrids but right now we are starting with wood.
I figured we could probably make steering wheels, shift ***** and some other simple items. This is what I came up with so far.
Solid hardwood steering wheel made from Sapele (an african tree with a great smell) It is strong, dense and looks beautiful. Thinking we could do customizable logos in place of the hawaii islands, which are resin filled. Nismo, Silvia, etc.
1) I know this is made from wood, I know wood is not the strongest material in the world. I know wood can break and splinter and if you run your car into a wall and crash you might break the steering wheel and smash your face into a sharp edge and die a horrible death. OK! Use at your own risk, or hang it on your wall as a art piece.
2) I did break a prototype model intentionally and found it it will hold about 150lbs of force in compression (pushing on it at 3 and 9 o'clock positions) I am modifying the geometry slightly and want to get it closer to 200lbs of force which is plenty for normal use.
3) This is designed to be an aesthetic part that is unique and different. Its not designed to be the strongest wheel on the market. There are other steering wheels in the market like acrylic wheels, nylon wheels, all those cheap older NRG wheels and chinese wheels etc...this wheel will hold MORE force than some of those. But its not going to beat a high quality nardi, momo wheel or similar.
Looks very nice. I did a fair amount of work with Sapele back when that guy imported WAY too much of it and crashed the market price. Pretty, but man is it splintery stuff! Might not have been dried well... Kinda surprised you didn't use Koa given your location (though if you're CNCing it, the working qualities probably don't matter nearly as much).
That said, having eaten a steering wheel at 70mph in a classic car (due to circumstances, aka a Subaru, 110% not in my control), I can tell you from very personal experience that is not something you want to smack with your face. The word "impaled" comes to mind... My wreck was in February 2016, and I just had the third major surgery on my skull for it (ignoring the 27 stitches, scarring, and PT) a few months ago. A wooden stake through the brain would not be survivable. Wouldn't even come back after a zombie apocalypse.
The next version of the steering wheel is going to be forged carbon reinforced. Its actually designed to fit quick release hubs. Older version of the wheel shown in the attachment. I am hoping some people will like the all wood versions for wall art or decore.
ike them as wall art.
09-15-2023, 05:04 PM
