Build Your Own Steering Wheel. Or Just Watch Me Do It. Whatever.

[@davidcrouch3226]

All hail the algorithm! I have thought about making my own steering wheel a bunch of times but bottled out because it seemed like too much work. Thanks for confirming that it, indeed, was too much work.

[@etheroar6312]

Remember, Murphy is our shepherd.

[@stefansweerts3825]

Why am i reading this with the voice of Matt in my head and his intonations???

[@davidcrouch3226]

@@stefansweerts3825 why did I write it in his voice!? He has poisoned our minds!

[@stefansweerts3825]

​@@davidcrouch3226No Clue why you did that, but big chance he poisoned our minds, all hail the algorithm. :)

[@tihs87]

yeah and i was going to make one for myself thinking i have no clue about it so won't get scared of too much work. now i know it's too much work, so i'm just gonna ignore it and make myself a wheel. bliss of ignorance sometimes pays off. i feel this won't be one of those times. cheers.

[@randomfrequency]

"And without buying any new tools." I look forward to seeing what new tools Matt has bought.

[@malaukcrysis]

I was entirely expecting 'Did I say I wasn't going to buy any new tools? Because that's right, I bought used!'

[@anidiotinaracingcar]

​@@malaukcrysis I was expecting him to save it on a technicality, i.e. "I bought new *machines* "

[@RetroRhith]

@@malaukcrysis When he brought out the router I expected something along the lines of "Well it's not a -new- tool, it's another of the same type of tool"

[@tat255987]

Those "shelves" are called rabbet joints. Those are flush trim cutting bits. You did a good job for a non woodworker.

[@dinger40]

Or rebate this side of the pond. All hail the algorithm!.

[@incognitotorpedo42]

Another popular name for that joint is the half lap.

[@MarcFresko]

I remember seeing wood steering wheels being manufactured when I was a kid, in the UK. They were made out of 2 donuts, like this, but from thin plywood. Alternate plies were dark and light, so when the circular profile was routed you got a pretty striped finish. And of course, because the alternate plies are in perpendicular directions, it A LOT stronger than 8 pieces of solid wood glued together ever would be.

[@b_mb4948]

Were those Moto-Lita wheels by any chance?

[@MarcFresko]

@@b_mb4948 I don't know... This was in a factory which specialized in making small wooden components. Around 1970, give our take. I do remember that the back of the steering wheels had notches for fingers, so the pattern exposed by routing the plywood to make the notches was even more visible.

[@dirttdude]

That sounds like the most hurtful racist thing i have ever heard of in my life! You didn't mention one word of diversity in the factory! OMG, you're a racist too?

[@sjorsangevare]

@@dirttdude what

[@dirttdude]

@@sjorsangevare Oh my goodness for goodness sake! You're a racist because you cant see the racisms... he did not mention diversity, that means that he hates people that aren't white. how can you sleep at night with all that hate?

[@filipvanham6052]

All hail the algorithm! One of my top 10 channels for the moment... good sense of humor, good sense of good enough, good sense of sense

[@lukamadunic8534]

Good sense of sense that is rare this days. Love it

[@nickfosterxx]

@@lukamadunic8534 Rare the opposite of common? Or rare the opposite of Well done... ; )

[@lukamadunic8534]

@@nickfosterxx yes 😅

[@christianhenderson5471]

I didn't think I could find another build channel that could compete with Bad Obsession motorsport but Matt has the edge on humour and almost keeps up in the creative/technical side - Well done Sir!

[@Farlig69]

No he does not have the edge on the humour, not if you're from the UKl that is, perhaps if you come from across the big lake from thence he might...

[@davep9528]

Well I’m from the UK and like Matt’s humour, each to their own

[@fatcamp907]

Take smaller cuts, and make sure that you're always going with the grain. Just because you're moving into the bit, it's still possible to get the grain backwards.

[@MikeStavola]

Fun thing about the pronunciation of aluminum. When it was introduced to the US, the term "Aluminum" was brought over from England, when the name was still in flux between Alumine, Alumium, and Aluminum, thanks to Sir Walter Davy. While the term Aluminum (for the theoretical metallic base of alumina) was working through US colleges, a Brit coined Aluminium, to try and make the element fit in with Davy's existing naming scheme that he used for elements like Potassium.

[@simontvrner]

Very noble of you to concede the correct pronunciation of Aluminium!

[@-MacCat-]

All hail the algorithm. I love homemade steering wheels. They allow you to use a bunch of skills without needing to be an absolute master at any of them. They can easily be personalised and they are relatively cheap to make. Finally, re: sanding. No matter how long you estimate ANY sanding job will take it will eventually take infinitely longer.

[@davideloewen]

6:22 your "shelf" is called a lap joint. It's a good option for a lot of things.

[@BigStreams_]

I nearly spat out my food at your little “NOoo” around 7:14 lol. Classic and relatable feeling

[@logmegadeth72]

It gave me a good chuckle since I do the same exact thing

[@gsmdo8836]

Great job - I’m in awe of your willingness to have a go at anything. The end result looks way better than the guys at Retropower produced for project Utah. Plus, your delivery is just great. All hail the algorithm…

[@uliwehner]

well, the retropower guys build for a paying customer, Matt has considerably more leeway

[@GrayRaceCat]

@@uliwehner, Why then is Matt's BETTER than Retropower's?

[@OrdinaryLatvian]

@@GrayRaceCat Because he's doing it as a passion project and can spend however long he wants on it without worrying about turning a profit?

[@IronGordon]

Super Japanese Matt could have told you how to do Shou Sugi Ban to finish the wood. Great work!

[@aks8403]

Just found your channel with a Tesla video. You are underrated!

[@rossmarzano]

Metalwork: send cut send Woodwork: sand, cut sand

[@BuffaloBillsSon]

Another great video, your crew in starship troopers would be proud! Thanks for your comment on the last video! Made my day Super Neil Patrick Harris’s brother!

[@LucidAwakeness]

Nice ALUMINIUM, and great wood

[@The_dislike_guy]

You sir are the this old Tony of car KZbin. Came across you a few weeks back (all hail the algorithm ) and now I’ve watched pretty much all your videos.

[@rebel1988us]

The connections you used for this are called “half lap” and are indeed a way to glue two pieces together:)

[@nathaniellangston5130]

I love that you are sponsored by Send Cut Send!! That must be a DREAM COME TRUE!!

[@davidgutting4317]

You know what’s more fun than routing your own steering wheel? Using a desktop router like an X-Carve to do it. Your will likely really enjoy not worrying about loosing fingers and how you will cover up your screw ups. Most CNC software sucks and is massively frustrating to use to the point of driving you to making it by hand but there are some simple to learn controllers like X-Carve or KiriMoto that only need a basic model or line drawing. I’ve been a product designer for 30 years and the desktop CNC and printers have been a real treat for projects like what your working on. I love and still use Send Cut Send but I can also get templates done same day on my X-Carve and who doesn’t like instant gratification, and fingers?

[@ebrewste]

“Wood shelf”? In some alternate universe there is “SuperfastMatt - Woodworking edition” calling screws “corkscrew thingys”

[@kellypg]

Nails are "those really heavy duty thumb tacks."

[@Javierm0n0]

Why yes, i do love my automotive ideas half-baked and questionably good! How did you kno... Oh.

[@handle690]

Best car content on youtube!

[@CajunGreenMan]

That bit at the end where you said 'probably next week' on the Jag, perfect time for 'Even more lies!'. LOL! Keep up the great work!

[@OrdinaryLatvian]

Man, those tiny Hondas are beautiful. I bet they're super fun to drive too.

[@turi420]

It turned out beautifully. I loved it. The honesty earned my subscription.

[@kinangeagle133]

Dude, I am not joking when i say that iv been looking for a good video for the past 4 months. I’ve only found other one and he made it in a makers space. This one was a game changer

[@AandA697]

I couldn't care less about cars, but here I am watching your videos. You're a great presenter, very entertaining.

[@jodydewey3516]

Man I really want to make a steering wheel for my 69 mustang and my 68 C10 now. Yours turned out awesome!

[@bake162]

The maple and polished aluminum are a nice combo

[@bridges5659]

Great ! 👍 And tools and more tools. It's a relief to know those tools are available to you at any time after you purchased them. Next project , tools and more tools...😂

[@davidhaywood8029]

Great work! In British English you 'route' a groove (rather than 'router' a groove), so that's probably where the extra syllable in Aluminium was obtained from (I assume that the 1LT also applies to syllables, i.e. they can never be created or destroyed, only moved from one word to another)...

[@BasedBidoof]

came out pretty good. Another thing I'd suggest is doweling the wood, so it can't fall off. Also the dowels look cool

[@mikeincinci]

More tools is always good.

[@billh230]

You will NEVER have too many tools. It is a mathematical impossibility.

[@acopernic]

Sarcastic enough. Eyes on the upper right corner.. Perfect. And I need more space in my garage.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

A nice blend of old world craftsmen'ship and some angry pixies with a smattering of adult words. Anything that's an excuse to buy more tools is cool with me.

[@billh230]

Tools. The Lego set for grown men.

[@TheStuartstardust]

When you are milling in the pulling direction on a table - maybe it would help to have a bearing 2/3 of the wheel diameter away from the router. Fixed to the table. That way the setup has 2 points to be stable at.. 🤔 ..it might work.. ..or not - don't really know.. 🤭

[@SB-vb8ch]

I love my Nardi steering wheels...I've fitted them to several cars over the years.

[@montycrain5783]

There’s a finish for Maple that dates back at least to the Revolution. It was used on LongRifles as well as musical instruments. The traditional name is AquaFortis, the formula is 50% Nitric acid and 50% distilled water used VERY carefully. If you make it always remember AAA, always add acid to water not the reverse. Steel filings or easier steel wool is dissolved into it until it is Neutralized and won’t dissolve anymore. Strain it through cheesecloth to remove iron particles and save in a glass container such as a mason jar. It’s still somewhat caustic but much safer to use. Use rubber gloves though or a cotton dauber on a stick is the traditional way. Make sure to raise the grain several times and knock it back down with finishing paper before applying it fairly evenly. Heat is then applied traditionally with a heated iron bar other methods are usable a well. The smaller the heat source the more control. A sunburst effect is easily achieved. The heat is combined with the sugar in the maple to carmelize it and allowing colors between yellow up through orange red and into brown. It doesn’t darken the grain which is still clearly visible. On rifles it was also combined with silver wire inlay to give nice contrast, I’ve also seen copper wire used. Both the inlay and aqua fortis are fairly inexpensive to learn. The traditional topcoat is boiled linseed oil. Which gives it a wonderful luster With a miles deep effect, it seems to be on fire. It’s also incredibly easy to touch up if damaged and has a Wonderful odor. Just don’t get it from Wal Mart. Tried and Trued wood finish has the real stuff. The curlier the maple the better.

[@scottrogers9542]

To stop blowing apart the wood when routing is to nibble away at the in the direction opposite the router bit, after completing that task you will do a final routing in the same direction of the bit. Works every time. Having a really sharp bit also helps

[@khaleedairil1975]

I just discovered your channel. And English being a 2nd language i thought Super British Matt is really a different person in the other video. I was wrong. Anyway thanks for all the commentaries. This channel is the most informative practical automotive engineering i have watched. Thank you SuperfastMatt.

[@jessiebrader2926]

Been there, did that fifty years ago at school, metalwork. I cut out the aluminium by hand, that was the hardest part. Used marine plywood on either side and riveted it on with aluminium rivets. It was then mounted on a woodworking lathe to profile the plywood. It came out great with a strip of metal showing around the rim. All in all a much easier way to do it if you have access to a lathe. English schools were good back then!

[@EpicHardware]

5:26 "if i was making a steering wheel for a cyber truck i will stop here" Savage! Cybertruck has a triangle steering wheel

[@Jackofafewtrades]

You're kidding right? I honestly don't even. That car seems like a hazard to everyone involved. I kinda want one, but I also would immediately hate myself for having one and can't afford one.

[@Jackofafewtrades]

@@mytrashaccount3630 lmao buy a g-wagon and put the Tesla logo it on for clout (not sure how much weight the Merc logo carries these days, I'm too busy trying to keep my 20 year old Niva from rusting into the ground to pay attention to that.)

[@000gjb]

The steering wheel looks great. If you wanted to retain the original, the wheel ring can be sprayed in the rubber finish material they use on mobile phones, any colour you like. If the centre is aluminium, it can be vapour blasted with glass beads to a mirror shine. If the centre is steel, it can be painted in a chrome basecoat and a candy clearcoat so it looks like a chrome anodised finish, again any color you like to match or contrast the colour of the wheel rim.. A whole lot more choices.

[@tintinlavigne5257]

Nice job with the bunch of old tools laying around 😁

[@fantared5263]

It’s round! Kudos to you sir!

[@alexmacdonald4270]

Wow, Matt, that steering wheel looks amazing, you are a talented man, I think that’s why I love your channel. All hail the algorithm! 😎

[@theironworks6797]

The remark of "Low resolution donut" got me. That took a lot of stress off of my week as a soon-to-be EE student.

[@J.C...]

Oh my! NICE GUITAR, MATT! 😲👌👍

[@dclipper8052]

Impressive project. I mean next to the Nardi it definitely looks homemade but it's still admirable work. I'd say it's a perfect candidate for a leather wrap.

[@drunkelpumf]

I was missing the Jag videos.

[@daricora]

I thought you were past the pit of despair portion of the jag project. Hitting integration hell now?

[@gavinoliver8074]

You NEVER cease to amaze me you glorious barsteward

[@darkmagician1184]

The guy who discovered Aluminum (a brit) named it thusly, but it was changed to be more inline with the other elements, so both are definitely accepted. Fun fact: the appliance series that has "HotPoint" calls their refrigerators "ColdPoint" the "shelves" you made are called "halflaps", very strong joint. - edge bearing bit = flushtrim bit

[@gsmdo8836]

Hmmm. I have a Hotpoint fridge…🤔

[@tychormthorp]

This is such a fantastic channel. Thank you for the honesty and sincerity, it's like a beacon in a bottomless ocean of crap

[@p_jones]

You're absolutely right about Hotpoint. It was originally an iron (clothes flattening appliance) company and they got popular making irons that were hotter at the front, i.e the pointy bit. People knew them as "the irons with the hot point" and there's the name. The guy behind it also had a line of appliances called things like "El Tosto" and "El Perco" and also founded the city of Adelanto. So there you go.

[@Todd66]

Well that turned out really nice. I like the 1 inch opposed to a smaller diameter. Very impressive. The new router and table were a good idea for sure.

[@gbrnr]

5:15 what a coincidence: just watched this movie (again) last night 😊

[@randymacsgarage]

climb routing, finger joints and pattern bits

[@Hellsong89]

Tip for the gluing, use wet rag to wipe off any that is pushed out and when glue has solified to hard jelly like, it will hold the peaces already but remove it from the clamps and use box cutter to remove any remaining glue so little sanding removes whats left. For sanding you might want to try sanding bow to get more uniformed bend.

[@kalasmournrex1470]

You need to do a cross over with Rich Rebuilds.

[@awo1fman]

Oh, god no. Matt knows what he's doing and will end up with a safe and reliable vehicle. I wouldn't let Rich Rebuilds within a mile of anything I own. I want to live.

[@jensdybrofrederiksen7922]

@@awo1fman and on top off that, he has no sense of humour …..

[@piccalillipit9211]

*NEVER SEEN A MAPLE* steering wheel - think it looks AMAZING - love the very pale colour. Does NOT go in the Honda like - but the wheel is great.

[@nathenrenwick]

I know I'm super late to this party but just an fyi, that little peg thing that comes with your router table is super handy when you have to feed your workpiece with the rotation of the router. you can use it to leverage your work piece against it when initially feeding it in. It also helps when making normal cuts to with no fence.

[@ishsiriram8286]

Awesome...Extactly what I am trying to do. Hope I can get at least half the result you got. Thank you for sharing.

[@billsewell]

Wow - your videos just bring me unbridled hilarious nerdy joy. Thank you :)

[@foufou33g]

route against the spinning bit (to avoid self feeding and maintain control) and with the direction of the grain of the wood (to avoid tearout), it is how you shave your beard, if you go against the direction of the individual hairs you lift them and tear them out (which will happen of the blade is not sharp enough) if you go with the hairs you simply cut theme

[@jozsefizsak]

Wonderfully amusing and informative.

[@nickelilltroll6]

Don´t worry. Here in Sweden we have about 4 different types of pronouncing the famous word aluminum, only thanks to dialects within the country. Thanks for doing this channel, all the funny comments and....hard....work? ;) Keep it up Matt, doing great!

[@gimpsunlimited2505]

I have made 3 wheels for Triumphs. I glued the wood donuts directly to the aluminum. But, the wheels are asymmetric, 13.5” main OD, 11” OD across the bottom. So the idea of octagons, router jigs etc aren’t directly useable. The one in my car is Koa, the other two were quilted maple. They really give excellent leg room across the bottom. Reference the original wheel Nardi used in his racing cars on the EZ steering website.

[@dog283spec]

Engagement comment to please the algorithm. Hello. Woodworker here. I also make new wood rims for old Steeringwheels. Nice work we pretty much do the same thing but out of mahogany.. But what I really wanted to say was that the ugly thing that's not a TNG joint is called a Finger joint.

[@Storyracing387]

"Half Baked" 🤣😂🤣😂 sounds like a lot of my rc ideas 👍

[@Tedminat0r]

I appreciate that you have two pairs of glasses. It means you're cool.

[@SOJACjac]

Center cap easy, CNC a logo, sand it, fill with color resin , sand again

[@Lluraeden]

I love your humor. I especially enjoyed the "hefty" and "wimpy"

[@1one3_Racing]

I'd go for a resin wheel. But I'm a sucker for resin. In any form. Even glue!

[@lourias]

Roasted Maple? AWESOME!

[@brianwilless1589]

Another way to prevent tear out is to not take so much off on the first pass. Lower the bit take half off then set to finish depth.

[@TheEulerID]

Outside of the USA and Canada, those shapes would be called trapezium, to go with the ending of aluminium of course...

[@avryptickle]

Finger joint, rabbet joint, flush trim bit.

[@maxcactus7]

That came out fantastic!! Super entertaining and informative. Thanks, Matt!

[@UNVIRUSLETALE]

For the cap maybe 3d printing, molding + epoxy for the actual part

[@michaeldornhausen8807]

Great job. I like the new steering wheel.

[@RedsGarageUK]

Nice work. It's making me want to make one for my project, even though it would look awful and out of place. Perhaps I should just stick to that plasticky seventies goodness.

[@stevebarnhart2090]

Awesome wheel, and for what it's worth I buy tools that I might need someday. You can't be to careful when it comes to buying tools.

[@jedidethfreak]

If you use an industrial wood glue, such as Titebond 3, the glued joint is actually stronger than the surrounding wood. I happen to know this from watching KZbin channels from luthiers - a neck scarf joint and a set-neck joint are two of the strongest parts of an electric guitar.

[@johnbarker5009]

Another great video, Matt. Your simple shelf joint looks a great deal like a lap joint, btw.

[@Admiral.Snakbar]

I love watching mechanical engineers do any woodworking. it's like watching a fawn take it's first steps.

[@jayeme1483]

If you make more you might try Elm wood . It is used for Windsor chair seat's and arm's because handling progressively polish's it .

[@opeboi1539]

Oh sick I watched your Honda build a while ago and forgot about your channel, got curious about building a steering wheel and found you again. Subscribed so that won’t happen again.

[@ubqtous]

I love your videos! I hope you are noticed by the algorithm gods enough to get the recognition you deserve so you can get paid doing things you love, all while letting us experience through your pain blood sweat and tears

[@Troglobitten]

The wheel looks great, but I kinda liked the boatwheel better on the Honda. It had that unapologetic "in your face" roughness to it. Really suited the build imo

[@mistermwwilson]

Still the best channel on the toobs.

[@DOUGLIFE-Caintmakethishitup]

Dude. Incredible. I’m going to build one right meow.💯

[@jmac7658]

Beautiful job Matt!

[@BOTmaster15]

Centercap 3d printed part - with filament swap at layer height. Do it with abs or asa, vapor smooth it and for finishing touch use clear resin to create uniform outer surface. Or just spray it with clear coat and call it a day. Ez

[@trahar6257]

I scrolled a long way for a 3d printer comment. Useful for so many custom templates and jigs also

[@BOTmaster15]

@@trahar6257 it's quite funny, right now every car in my family have some kind of 3d printed replacement part. 3d printed wheel center caps are norm XD (much easier printing than looking for oem one or wait for one from China).

[@tomconway6808]

"I'll probably work on it next week....probably." You sound like me saying I'm going to finish installing and painting all of the wood trim in my entire house.

[@johnbryniarski1601]

there were a couple comments in the past but ill be more explicit your glue joints with out the shelf would have been stronger than the wood. time would have been better spent making 16 smaller circular sections if you were worried about strength. love the channel!

[@JamieBainbridge]

Your woodglue shelf is fine, the glue joint will be stronger than the original wood fibers were. Surprising but true.