Posted this in my build thread but figured I would post in a new thread so maybe someone new would catch it.. Wanted to do something different then a banjo wheel or other commonly used wheels.. After seeing crafty_b on Instagram casting stuff figured why not cast the stock wheel in aluminum.. I had to fix the cracks in the stock one anyway.. worked with a local amish casting company on it. Here is how It came out.. Pretty happy with it.. I need to clean up about 3" on one of the small lines that go around the front and also where the horn ****on covers there is a little bit of casting that flowed in there.. Going for a brushed finish and weld up a shifter to match in aluminum.. Thoughts??
Might want to have it heat treated to add strength. That is a high stress part, and cast aluminum doesn't flex like the original steel wheel did. I've had cast alum parts treated to T6 that I was going to use in a stressed location. Cost about $100. How thick is the hub area? Id think that should be at least 1/4 inch considering how much stress a steering wheel will feel. The wheel isn't stressed much when turning round and round, it's when a guy gets into and out of a car and grabs it, pulling himself in. The forward and back pressure is what will hurt it.
The hub area is ruffly about 3/16 maybe just a touch over. I asked the guy when I picked it up why type of aluminum it was just to know he said it was T319 but not in not up on where that would fall on the hardness scale.. One things for sure it's going to need a flat clear in it.. I have already been leaving dirty hand prints on it haha
I think you did good. I ***ume its lighter than a stocker. Was the cost comparable to a new repop wheel? Tim
Clicked on your thread to see what one looked like. Well, now I know! Ultra cool and great idea! The HAMB collective is gonna like it, if I was gonna guess.
i saw this and thought how can this be safe???? hitting that with your chest in an accident would be bad news cool casting but i wouldn't run it tk
Found this on the a quick search on the alloy, I like the part if you were worried I think you could sort of laminate the back side with steel that would protrude up each spoke partially. num Sand Casting Aluminum alloy 319 is a 6% Si and 3.5% Cu alloy with 1.0 Fe maximum. It has excellent casting and machining characteristics. Corrosion resistance and weldability are very good. Mechanical properties are good in both the heat-treated (T5) and non-heat treated conditions. The anodized color is generally gray with a brown cast depending on the amount and ratio of silicon and copper. Typical applications for sand casting 319.0 are a wide variety of structural castings for engine parts, engine crankcases, gas and oil pans, and general commercial applications.
I love this kind of thinking out of the box. Great job. It'll probably p*** all the traditional police even though it's (gasp!) aluminum. Thank God it's not billet or you would be put to death.
i should have put i didnt personally cast it.. i worked with a local casting company on int. cost wise its about the exact same as a new stock one.. thanks for that!! now i know where it falls then yeah the company is all older amish guys... very easy to work with and turn around was pretty quick haha i dont want to have to put my gold chain on and be on probation here!
An alloy wheel will give way long before the solid mounted steering column will, I'd run it in a second!
Just don't leave your car in the sun very long or those grooves in the steering wheel will leave grill marks on your palms....
being that its just going to be run on the street around town an not raced... i think i would probably be more worried about the 15gals of gas right on top of my legs and in front of me since im using the stock tank over.. haha i have received that warning about it getting hot a couple times kinda curious to see how warm it will get.... maybe make a quick disconnect, legs and a grate for the top of it and BOOM i have a grill with me at all times..
The difference is it doesn't become a jagged 4 bladed knife when it bends It's your car do do what you like Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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