Getting closer to a perfect wheel

Since picking up a decent sewing machine, I�m getting closer to figuring the 3-spoke wheel and three piece handle out. The body on this one had some stain/marks so I leather covered it too, but didn�t see that untrimmed thread underneath until it was down. Think the third try will be the charm. If I prep for the spoke transition areas before hand it should come out better.

That is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Nice.

Fine craftsmanship there my friend!

That looks amazing.

Thank you for the compliments It�s a labor of love. It decent and presentable, but doesn�t hit my unrealistic standards for final fit and finish. Had initially intended to sell this whole matching setup to fund the hobby, but now am just going to swap it for a good used wheel I had set back in case the car ever went back to stock (which wont happen in my lifetime). Already started working on another one just like it with some adjustments that should hit the mark.

Wow, that looks amazing. Would you be open to sharing or selling the templates if I wanted to try this myself?

Labors of love are expensive. Make sure you charge correctly for these. And put me on the list. It looks great and probably feels even better.

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If I can get to the point of a perfect pattern then I would be happy to share. This is still process is still in flux and I am finding that changing the thickness of the leather to address one issue also requires additional adjustments. I just finished my third attempt and it has turned out the best so far, but it�s still not quite �there� yet. Still have to finish covering the back body, but it should be pretty decent. I may need to pony up and get some leather engineered for covering wheels to get where I want to be with it. Thats part of my rub with this project golock911, they do feel great in the hands and all my �issues� with them is when I put on the QC hat and turn into one of those a**holes when I assess the results. I�m a weirdo with this stuff� while my wife is watching the the Super Bowl I�m testing theories in the kitchen on removing wrinkles from finished wheels

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Amazing work, and much respect for your attention to detail and willingness to share what you create. I've been working on fitting a tip steering wheel and converting the shift buttons for volume and track selection, so I'll have to adjust for that when I try this. I used to have a window-tinting business and have enjoyed the flow state you can find yourself in with projects like this.

I like the stitching on your last steering wheel as it's not as wide as in the first pictured wheel and evenly spaced. Impressive stuff!

That�s beautiful work.

Very nice work !

I finished it a few days ago, but have been working on other projects while pondering on what to do with it. The first one in a thicker leather that had more wrinkle impressions, I think feels much better in the hand and the cosmetic imperfections are don�t matter when in use. This second wheel feels firmer more like the factory wheel. It still has micro wrinkles, but the body came out smooth and the spoke transitions are pretty decent I think. Still have one more core 6spd wheel to work on, but need to get one exchanged out.

Very impressive. Looks great!

Very nice work !

Looks damn good to me! What would you charge for something like that? And can you do it in Savanah Beige?

You Tube Have you seen these videos? Seems fairly helpful to me.

Thanks for the video @Deserion , and all the compliments! First time I�ve watched a video of someone else doing a steering wheel. Some of my processes are the same and some very different. I have been thinking of making up a wheel holding rig like he had. Wish I had a dedicated shop space to work in, but my kitchen counter will have to suffice for a while. @dporto , right now I can only do black leather and Alcantara. Still working from a stock of leather I picked up last year when a found it for over half off. Being a hobby instead of a business, I haven�t had anyone want to do a large enough project in beige, grey, or red to justify putting out $600 or more for a hide. I hope to be able to get to the point of doing all the stock colors eventually. I dread having to buy more material because my prices are based on my current costs, and will probably have to increase quite a bit when I run out. These wheels I have done I would probably sell for $150-200 plus an exchange wheel. Basically to cover my material costs and a little bit of time. Once I can get it all perfected, I am looking to be in the $500-600 plus exchange wheel range. Figured out how to restore OEM shift ***** though This first try came out about a half inch taller than stock, so I will just keep it and sell the NOS piece I have set back in case my cars interior is ever returned to stock. Next try should be perfect.

That looks great! I circumsized mine and installed a wood ****. Yours is the first factory one I've seen that I think looks good. Amazing work.

I would definitely be interested in one of your wheels either in Alcantera or black leather. Are you at that phase of selling any or is it the still perfecting stage. I am not looking for a perfect one just one that will be comfortable. Please let me know either way. Thanks. And they look amazing.