DIY CUSTOM STEERING WHEEL FOR RAT ROD

[@danielw7060]

Your channel has everything ive been searching years for... A way to build without living in an advertisement world that says "you need this to accomplish that, buy, buy, buy!" Much appreciation from America!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Daniel! So happy that you acknowledge that. It is exactly the message I'm trying to convey. With a little common sense and some persistence, we can build whatever we want! And besides, anyone can bolt together parts out of a catalogue, but where's satisfaction and sense of achievement? The origin of hot rods/rat rods was in building your own stuff from whatever you could find. Sadly that is no more...

[@darrenbrisson4336]

Like your channel like the back ground music as well you keep it interesting

[@ratrodsafrica]

Glad you enjoy it! Thanks Darren

[@flatworm00]

Love the way you made the steering wheel. It is also good to know that experienced rod builders make the same mistakes us shade tree mechanics make.

[@ratrodsafrica]

If we dont make mistakes, we make nothing at all!😀

[@joebourque4860]

You tube is incredibly it's like I'm in your shop looking at the nice work you do and I'm in New Brunswick Canada. Thanks for the video

[@ratrodsafrica]

Pleasure man. Yes, small world now😅

[@markbowen2506]

Hey Duffy, I'm liking the very basics, "the grass roots" of building a rat rod, pure and cheap with what you got and a make it work attitude....many KUDOS from Ontario, Canada

[@DustyMacsGarage]

Div!!! Enjoyed it!!! Appreciate you showing that even the most experienced builders/fabricators make mistakes too!!! Cheers Boet!!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Dusty. Not that I regard myself as a pro but I think ALL of them makes mistakes, they just don't show it. The difference between a good and a average craftsman? The good one knows more tricks to hide his mistakes!😂

[@DustyMacsGarage]

@@ratrodsafrica ha ha thats a good one!!!

[@robertstevison1448]

Creativity and open mind will take you beyond your limits no obstacles just challenges !!! Awesome built steering wheel and column

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks a ton!

[@nopartsgarage6691]

The steering wheel and the steering colm turned out great. The truck is looking awesome.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you very much!

[@stashwaxroller1740]

Sometimes in the die shop if I have a lot of parts to de-burr , I set up the lathe with a 45 deg. tool to chamfer the OD and ID. Will even work with the split bushing (if you drive carefully) I'm lazy that way. Great looking wheel ! Occasional failures are all a part of perfecting ones craft................At least that's what I keep telling myself over and over............

[@ratrodsafrica]

Hehe, not sure if chucking 42 of those things in the lathe will be any faster. Unless you are a pro like you man. Be way neater though. So I'm perfecting! 😅 feel better now!

[@ishsiriram8286]

you could just as easily part off the pieces of pipe on the lathe as well.. but i think the hand cuts with the angle grinder gives it more character.

[@ratrodsafrica]

@@ishsiriram8286 me and parting off ain't friends!😂 I'll take the grinder...

[@johnnymac1580]

The steering wheel is genius, a work of art and the very definition of persistence! How did you know how many pieces of pipe you had to cut? Impressive! 🤔

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks. Did a rough measurement of circumference and divided by 25mm (1"), the width of my pipe pieces. Just to get an idea. Realistically speaking, I just kept cutting until I had enough😃

[@DependableAutoTruck]

wrap the steel bar of the steering with nylon rope stain and then epoxy coat sand smooth clear coat will be beautiful

[@ratrodsafrica]

Interesting idea! Thanks

[@DoonerF]

I really like that steering wheel. The hoops can be the same. The style comes from the center. Great job. I’m excited to see the day you take it for a cruise. What’s next? I’m thinking you mentioned peddles. 👍🏻👍🏻 You need to start a Patreon!!!!!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks. Jip, pedals will be next. Still need to learn about that Patreon thing...😅

[@geoffreymills9932]

Nice job on the column and wheel, they look great in there, we've all been there with the 2.0 version when first attempts fall short of working, it's just part of the game,, or sickness I'm not sure 😉 lol

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man! More than likely some kind of sickness😂

[@geoffreymills9932]

@@ratrodsafrica could possibly be a global pandemic, I see signs of it all over,, 🤣

[@ratrodsafrica]

@@geoffreymills9932 no dude, the global pandemic is stupidity! 😂

[@rescueinoldraggedy7407]

i like it my friend , have a good day , be safe

[@brianhaw9398]

Truck is coming along,one step at a time!👍🇨🇦

[@ratrodsafrica]

Jip, one tiny step at a time!😅

[@aceadman]

Don’t be too hard on yourself Dif. The second bracket is much nicer than that crappy first one. 😉😊👍👍. Great vid as always. Many thanks.

[@ratrodsafrica]

I'm my own worst enemy! 😏

[@donaldhalls2189]

The steering wheel is ingenious, certainly got that rat rod look, I've never driven a car with a chain steering wheel but didn't think it would be very comfortable, it's certainly looking great, all the best to you and your loved ones, and have a luku one two

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Donald. Them chain steering wheels are horrible for proper driving! It's just a show thing

[@TheFrameoff]

What they say " live and learn " nice job Both times lol . the steering wheel is your signature piece . Build On

[@ratrodsafrica]

As long as we living. And learning! Thanks brother

[@johnbehneman1546]

Totally Awesome Fabrication

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you!

[@greggbrown0]

Steering wheel is a work of art. Great video.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man!

[@robbollom7396]

great work Dif, you got the steering column right angle in the end...

[@ratrodsafrica]

Persistence pays off😅

[@alexandermancha7172]

Really dig your style man. I watch a dozen or so you tubers but No one scratch builds like you. Also dig the weld stitches you do. It really Gives Character to the Rat Rod.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks brother! Jip, I guess I'm the scratch builder😅

[@williamyeary9611]

Love the steering wheel.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you!

[@TheOldaz1]

Looks good and diameter of the grip seems about right. Should steer better than the old Chevy ever did. Thanks Div.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks. Works great, I'm happy with it

[@matthewfocke5360]

I like your design solution on the steering wheel. You are a fine craftsman! Thumbs up!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you very much!

[@woodbineshark]

very cool you're a master craftsman ty for posting

[@jamesfreeland3137]

Great. I really like your steering wheel. It's alot of work, but well worth it. Looks good and seems to be good in the hand. 👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks James! Yes, it did take a bit of effort😅

[@stephenwhite5057]

Great creative work as allways. Fantastic

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you man!

[@mikewilliams6712]

Great job mr. Wizard 👍👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you 😀

[@davidroper9129]

nice one div ,totally wicked , got there in the end ,real lekka man !

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Man! Persistence!😂

[@waynenugent1229]

Nice diffy, stylish indeed. I would trust your welds too !

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks man. That makes 2 of us!😂

[@robertshaffner707]

Nice work! May I suggest that you get a carbide tipped metal cutting saw blade for your chopsaw. They make extremely smooth cuts and are much faster than those abrasive discs. And they don’t wear out for a long time😃

[@ratrodsafrica]

I would love to have one of those, but they are not available here... I would have to import it

[@robertshaffner707]

@@ratrodsafrica surely you have Amazon in South Africa! I would think they would at least deliver to your local post office. But what do I know😂

[@ratrodsafrica]

@@robertshaffner707 yes. But the old man still gotta figure that stuff! You've probably never heard of someone who doesn't know how Amazon works 😅 Guess it's time I learn!

[@robertshaffner707]

@@ratrodsafrica 😂😂😂 I am 62 years old and it took me a very long time to learn how to do just a few things on the computer. For example, I would not have the slightest idea how to upload videos to KZbin!😁

[@ratrodsafrica]

@@robertshaffner707 then we in the same boat brother! I'm 61

[@CLAYTONCHAN1]

I enjoyed watching your video...Mistakes and all...Fabulous job!! The steering wheel looks awesome! Its great to see how you do it down in South Africa....from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Hey Clayton. All the way from Las Vegas! Thanks brother.

[@gmc.joesousa4360]

Second Steering Wheel I saw you build like that, Excellent!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Oh dear, now you've seen it twice 😅

[@matthewscheidt7754]

I truly enjoy watching you put your talent to work, I have the same work ethics, repurpose reuse enjoy!! Many thanx and keep it up man!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Matthew! Good ethics man!

[@chuckdivel3600]

Awsome great work don’t hurt to do it twice then it exactly the way you need it

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Chuck. At least now it's working great😅

[@davidweidner1675]

The Essence of Steering

[@rickm5806]

If its worth doing once, then its worth doing twice!

[@pa6390]

Big Wheel... Nice

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks

[@RiffRaff160]

So much talent and imagination. Good job man. Looks cooler than penguin pi$$ 😎👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

😂 Thanks brother!

[@mikebeidelman6051]

Dif, sometimes we all get distracted by the circus in our heads, but the show must go on! I noticed you and I have more things in common. over the years from childhood on I HAVE KICKED THE CRAP OUT OF MY LEFT INDEX FINGERAND, ALSO I HAVE HAD A PHOTO OF ALBERT EINSTINE IN MY GARAGE SHOP FOR 35+YEARS.I believe Mr. Goldberg has plans for a machine that lets you kick your own ass, mine has a steel tipped boot on it! have a good one brother .

[@herbietiff]

I suggest that you check your tacklebox (as we say in Oz), so you’re not caught flying low. See 15:26

[@ratrodsafrica]

Oops!🤣

[@bigalsvwratrod7346]

Nicely done

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thank you Sir

[@markrobertson9015]

Cool steering wheel the only downside would be the heat but a nice design. I live in the desert where it can get 110 so too hot for me.see you in the next video take care.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Good point. Luckily not an issue where I live.

[@frankkrank81]

Dam, you make it seem so easy....

[@ratrodsafrica]

Gotta keep trying man😅

[@daninster]

Another great vídeo... Thank you

[@ishsiriram8286]

Awesome...The steering wheel looks cool, well done. Didn't mummy tell you, measure once, measure twice, measure three times before you cut...lol...You cannot blame mummy for that, you wasn't paying attention to mummy that day...busy thinking about chicks and beer... Another cool video. Thank you for sharing Div.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Ja, I'm in trouble about that one! 😂

[@davidweidner1675]

Deft does it nice because he does it more than once

[@ratrodsafrica]

Not that he planned to do it more than once! 😂

[@rickm5806]

Its hard to teach us old dawgs new tricks!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Not enough old Dawgs around, so hopefully some youngsters will learn a new trick!

[@ratrodsafrica]

Not enough old Dawgs around man, so hopefully some youngsters will learn something

[@hippynurd]

Wow, thats a lot of work for a steering wheel. I just spent a bunch of time repairing my steering and making video of it... crazy how long stuff takes sometimes...

[@ratrodsafrica]

Jip. But good things take time😅

[@davidwall1045]

I like your methods👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks😅

[@dragontattooee]

Have a lekka one Div, really enjoyed the video, mistakes and all, just proves even the best make mistakes

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks buddy. However, I'm far from the best! Just a persistent dude 😅

[@dragontattooee]

There's a lot would have given up, persistance paid off

[@Andre-Stone]

Baie dankie. Dit is nou nog lekkerder om te kyk an die videos, nadat ons self daar was. Ons het baie soortgelyk gedoen op ons coulomb, om hom oud te laat lyk. Ek hou ook baie van jou stuurwiel. Dit is jou ontwerp en jou styl. Jy kan een op al jou karre sit. Well done, It’s a Rat Rod 😂😂

[@ratrodsafrica]

Dankie Andre! Julle meer as welkom om ook so stuurwiel te maak. As jy 'n sucker vir punishment is, soos ek😂

[@nom8er]

@ 9:01 👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

😅 The only thing that is required!

[@nolsvanwyk833]

Well done oom like dit baie

[@ratrodsafrica]

Dankie Nols. Wanneer bou ons een vir jou?

[@nolsvanwyk833]

Chassis is daar oom

[@johnbehneman1546]

I love it

[@mattrage1673]

looks great bruv

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Matt.

[@jaywatts333]

i enjoyed guy and yes i did subscribe.... howdy from Huckabay Tx USA

[@ratrodsafrica]

Hey Jay! Thanks for the sub and welcome to my shop! Greetings to Huckabay

[@maryfinchum9741]

👍

[@joesask857]

nice

[@ratrodsafrica]

Thanks Joe

[@totalutternutter]

Take note ladies, Rat rodders are never satisfied with only having the tip of the shaft in.

[@ratrodsafrica]

🤣🤣

[@tsmith578]

Hey Did... Nice job on the steering wheel man. But don't you think you should wrap that one in leather?! . After all it isn't every day that you see a 70 year old Chevy truck body on a Nissan frame that has been built in the woods in South Africa, with a custom hand made steering wheel! So why not go ahead and wrap it with some nice leather. You and your cool truck build both deserve it. Thank you for your videos. Keep up the great work man. Tim from Wisconsin.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Hey Tim. Thanks for the comments man! Yes, maybe I should do that for a change. Thanks for the suggestion, will see down the line

[@tommcl8548]

👍👊

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏

[@rickbarger7921]

You probably could have put a U JOINTdown by your steerng Box might have cured the problem

[@ratrodsafrica]

Could have yes. But this is a budget build man, don't wanna spend money 😅

[@stanleyfanning5316]

Do it twice makes it nice 👌 LOL

[@ratrodsafrica]

😂Jip!

[@darrenbrisson4336]

It was just blank man I get that too I smoke lots of pot hahahahahaha 😂 🤣 😆 😅 🤪 😜 😂 I'm Canadian it's legal here

[@ratrodsafrica]

Now legal here by us too...

[@fueladdictiongarage7048]

👍🏻🍺

[@ratrodsafrica]

🍻😄

[@markcrockford9679]

I was thinking of a rope wrapping

[@ratrodsafrica]

That could work if the bare steel becomes too much 🙂

[@jiminycricket2230]

It sucks you had to do it twice but that happens sometimes 😕 our mistakes are our best teachers because those are the lessons we never forget.

[@ratrodsafrica]

Ain't that the truth! 😅

[@Hogkat]

My boet lives close to you, groot brak rivier. Me on the other hand 10 000km big dif hihihi

[@ratrodsafrica]

Hey, you should tell your boet to come visit us man! 10 thou km puts you where?

[@Hogkat]

@@ratrodsafrica the Netherlands, lived in Jhb and then to kzn and now faraway

[@ratrodsafrica]

@@Hogkat my daughter is also in Holland

[@douglasaparecido915]

👏👏👏👏🤝🇧🇷👍

[@ratrodsafrica]

Obrigado Senhor!

[@albertkhajianpour6990]

Where are you located the address of your shop

[@ratrodsafrica]

My shop is on a farm 30 km outside Mossel Bay in an area called Ruiterbos. If you are in South Africa and want to come make a turn, please drop me an email at [e-mail] for more info.

[@ronjohnstonaustralia2417]

" cut once and tack weld "

[@ratrodsafrica]

That's what they say! Was tack welded, but the old idiot didn't think down the line...😅

[@bulldogstrut1]

We have a saying in America: when you assume something it will make an "ass out of you and me." Great job though.

[@Matt-ft4wb]

🙏 ᵖʳᵒᵐᵒˢᵐ

[@r.n.6515]

You messed up more than the column angle, you put the column on the wrong side of the truck.......lol

[@ratrodsafrica]

Oh shit! I didn't see that! 😂

[@papachubby1951]

I know what went wrong….it out of gas and you put the wheel on the wrong side. Help from America.

[@ratrodsafrica]

So thats what I did wrong!😂