Steve's Classic Mustang Steering Wheel & Dashboard

Here are a few photos of the build process for these steering wheels. Basically, I build a hexagon using splines for the top and bottom pieces of the wheel. First a circular groove is cut into the top and bottom hexagons with a plunge router using a circle cutting jig. These grooves will eventually allow the rings to be glued to the steering wheel core. Shoulders are cut into the bottom ring for stainless steel rings that are part of the original steering wheel which were plastic fake walnut. The rings are then cut out of these hexagons with a plunge router using a circle cutting jig. The SS rings give the illusion that the top and bottom rings are sandwiched on a solid steel core when in reality they are sandwiched around a band welded to the spokes of the wheel. This is the structure of the original steering wheel.

Finger holds are cut into the bottom ring with a router and jig. Relief cuts are also made to accommodate the spokes of the wheel. A series of countersunk holes are drilled into the top ring to accomodate polished stainless steel rivets. These rivets are for show only and are not mechanical fasteners. Both rings are rounded over on a router table. The bottom ring is glued onto the original steering wheel band with HD construction adhesive. The top ring is attached with more construction adhesive and TiteBond III glue where there is wood to wood connection. Then lots of sanding up to 220. I finish with 2-3 coats of Danish oil followed by 5 coats of wipe-on semi-gloss polyurethane.

Finish: Danish oil followed by wipe-on semi-gloss polyurethane