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 ****on. 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 ****on that fit the bill perfectly. I traced the horn ****on onto the aluminum horn ring, so I could grind a slight bevel on the ring to transition to the horn ****on. 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 ****on 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 Porkn******'s turn signal lever... And here is the finished product... Hope it helps somebody. Later, Neal...in CA
Neal, that's awesome! The cl***ic column and wheel look the part, an your new horn ****on 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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