I did this project a few months ago, but thought I would share it here anyways. This is kind of a backwards update. When I built my GMC back in the 80's, a tilt column and Lecarra wheel were the cool deal. Well, I am older and wiser now and after 20 years it was time for a change. Since I plan to keep this truck for the rest of my life, I want it to be sort of timeless. I have been looking for the right column and wheel to make the change. My brother-in-law gave me a 54 Chevy car wheel and I rounded up a 54 column from another friend. I like the car column because it has an integral self canceling turn signal switch. The steering wheel did not have a horn ring and I didn't want a stock ring. I wanted something that was a little more Hot Rod and/or truck looking. I decided to make something similar to the stock horn ring...just without the ring. I started by cutting out a pattern from 1/4" MDF. I clamped the pattern to the wheel and sanded it to fit. Once I had a good pattern, I laid it out on a piece or 1/2" aluminum plate. I have been using SamIyam's idea of cutting aluminum on a table saw, and used that method here to rough cut the horn ring. After I had the piece cut out, I screwed the MDF pattern to the bottom of the ring and used my router with a carbide laminate edge cutter with a ball bearing guide. I had to go slow and it made a big mess, but it worked great. After I had the outline correct, I still had to shape the ring to match the contour of the spoke in the wheel. I roughed them in with a 40 grit flap wheel on a 4" grinder. I went at it gradually, keeping my layout line in sight. I wasn't sure what I was going to do for a horn button. I have 51 Pontiac hubcaps on the truck, so I kind of wanted to stay with that theme. I asked on the HAMB and FlamedAbone was kind enough to send me a Pontiac Chieftan emblem. It ended up being a little to big, but it got me pointed in the right direction. I searched Ebay and found a Pontiac horn button that fit the bill perfectly. I traced the horn button onto the aluminum horn ring, so I could grind a slight bevel on the ring to transition to the horn button. I roughed it in with a flap wheel on a 4" grinder and then finished the details with a stone on a Dremmel tool and some needle files. The horn button I found is tin shell crimped around a piece of rubber. The rubber has a ring molded into it that would snap over a ridge. I machined a retainer to fit out of a piece of 3/8" aluminum plate, like this... Here are the pieces that make up the new horn ring... And on the wheel. The original horn ring attached with three screws, so I did the same on this one. Here is a close-up of the column and wheel with Porknbeaner's turn signal lever... And here is the finished product... Hope it helps somebody. Later, Neal...in CA
Neal, that's awesome! The classic column and wheel look the part, an your new horn button makes it all yours. That's inspirational!
Most excellent Neal. You know what's really good about this post? It was done with basic tools. Granted, the retainer ring was machined on a lathe, but it could be done with a drill press, file and router. Just takes a little imagination. Not only in dreaming up the part, but figuring how to use an available tool to do the job.
[ QUOTE ] How much is the column U took out. I mailed you LATER [/ QUOTE ] Duster - I emailed you back. I will let you know. [ QUOTE ] What kinda blade on the table saw??? [/ QUOTE ] D.W. - Just a cheapy, general purpose carbide blade. Carbide is the key. Thanks for the positive comments. Neal
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