Project Schism - another offbeat '23 Ford T

[toddshotrods]

Almost there on the steering wheel rim. I have some decisions to make on some of the finishing touches, but I have the critical stuff ready so the machining can proceed on a regular schedule. I had to know the shape of the landing areas for the spokes, as the block will be ready to start hogging out material between them soon. I also needed to figure out how I want the Black & White Ebony inlays as I assume it would be better to do that when there is as much material as possible. My designer/metal fabricator's method of doing an inlay will be to machine a pocket and a plug and stuff it in there!


I fattened the rim up a bit and ,obviously, pulled the spokes out to the other side of the rim. What I'm thinking is to trap the rim between the spokes and the aluminum rim. It will be snugly trapped, but never actually torqued down. I plan to use silicone rubber gaskets between the spoke and the wood, to give it a bit of wiggle room, without having a wiggly wheel. I modeled the gap in for that.

I airbrushed the worst offenders out, in Photoshop, but didn't get too carried away so you'll have to imagine continuity in the surfaces where it doesn't exist, here. There shouldn't be any abrupt changes in texture, except where the Maple burl and Ebony hardwoods meet. Where it's open on the back side of the landing will eventually be aluminum extending in from the aluminum rim section, with some type of fastener boss in it. I haven't decided what and how the fasteners will be yet.

I've been modeling almost non-stop since 10am...