20 years ago I was working at Illinois Railway Museum under a guy named Roger Hewitt. The car we worked on had bent wood roof guards at the ends to protect from the trolley pole crashing down. Roger told me a trick he learned to bending wood was from a friend of his at Seashore Trolley Museum (Kennebunkport, ME). He said to add a bit of ammonia to the water for steaming. That would soften the lignin in the wood to the point that his friend claimed he could almost tie a 1X2 into an overhand knot. Even better, the wood was so limp it would not try to spring back to its former shape as it dried out.
Thank you very much for that informative video. While I may never make a wheel like that, I always wondeered how to go about it. My late Grandfather drove a 1926 Whippet to work everyday up into the late fifties in Kenosha, WI.
Hugo, different manufacturers used different methods for making the wooden steering wheel rims. Some used the bent wood method but others like Chevrolet made the rim from six or eight sections finger jointed together. The challenge in all of these is making the large finger joints. If you are doing sections, any hard wood will work. If you are doing steam bending you need to select a wood that bends well.
That's a real good looking steering wheel. Nice job.
Really, a spectacular job! You will love driving down the road with that!
Thanks. The car was finished last year and is being driven.
20 years ago I was working at Illinois Railway Museum under a guy named Roger Hewitt. The car we worked on had bent wood roof guards at the ends to protect from the trolley pole crashing down. Roger told me a trick he learned to bending wood was from a friend of his at Seashore Trolley Museum (Kennebunkport, ME). He said to add a bit of ammonia to the water for steaming. That would soften the lignin in the wood to the point that his friend claimed he could almost tie a 1X2 into an overhand knot. Even better, the wood was so limp it would not try to spring back to its former shape as it dried out.
Thank you very much for that informative video. While I may never make a wheel like that, I always wondeered how to go about it. My late Grandfather drove a 1926 Whippet to work everyday up into the late fifties in Kenosha, WI.
Very impressive work,every right to be proud of that. Make you smile every time you drive it
This is a beautiful job. Hope the rest of the Jag will be in as good a shape when it is finished.
A labor of love. I bow in your general direction.
Spectacular work mate, well done
You are a true craftsman. Nice job
great video- Was looking how to do the finger grips and your video explains it great!
Looks wonderful! A piece of art!! thanks for sharing...
if restoring the rest of you 1929 Wippet Sedan came/comes out as well as the steering wheel has, thats something to take pride in. Great job.
Very nice job! I will have to try that, too, for my 1929...
Very cool- wish you were my neighbor so I could exchange shores for knowledge.
Very creative. Great job.
Very nice!
Great job, you can be really proud of it!
mister you are awesome!
Fantastic job!
Very nice jobb!
I suppose you think that, You are a really clever bugger.
Well, if I was You, I would too. Bloody well done
Looks great. Thank you for sharing :)
Truly amazing!
good job
speech less
Prima
What did you use for the bending backup strap?
Some used heavy duty steel strapping that I got free at the lumber yard.
plz show me more of the whippet
Foto slide
Hugo, different manufacturers used different methods for making the wooden steering wheel rims. Some used the bent wood method but others like Chevrolet made the rim from six or eight sections finger jointed together. The challenge in all of these is making the large finger joints. If you are doing sections, any hard wood will work. If you are doing steam bending you need to select a wood that bends well.
He knows he just did it all in the video