alsfarms Posted December 5, 2022 Share Posted December 5, 2022 (edited) As we are confronted with miscellaneous needs and issues that are basic to restoration and upkeep of our Locomobiles, share your needs, issues and helps here. Al Edited December 5, 2022 by alsfarms Clarity (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 5, 2022 Author Share Posted December 5, 2022 (edited) While you are thinking of all the small winter updates, repairs or restoration needs of your Locomobile. I have a question. My 1909 Locomobile Model L has need of 50 percent of the hard rubber steering wheel repaired. The thing is, the 50 percent that is still in place is very sound with excellent detail remaining. I have done a bunch of legwork to determine what is the best "hard rubber like" epoxy to make the repairs with, but am still not sure. It is my intention to make a silicone rubber female pattern of a good part of the steering wheel, then rotate this pattern to an area of the wheel that needs repair. I would prepare a port in the silicone pattern to pour in the new product. Has anyone here performed a repair like this before who is willing to share some real "does and don'ts" as I get into this repair. Also, which of the various available products will be the best for adhesion, expansion characteristics and color retention that will make this repair a GOOD long term fix? Al Edited December 5, 2022 by alsfarms spelling (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 6, 2022 Author Share Posted December 6, 2022 Here is a picture of what I am dealing with. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rydersclassics Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 I have used Eastwood PC-7 successfully ( a lot of had work to repair cracks and sections smaller than those in your wheel but I had to paint it to get the color correct. It may be worth trying a recast on your wheel as in this video for uniform color or with a full mold made from a good wheel adding spews in the missing sections of yours. Good luck! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 6, 2022 Author Share Posted December 6, 2022 Thanks, That is one video clip that I have not seen. I wonder how much vacuum was pulled on the blue silicone and for how long. They didn't mention, but I wonder if they pulled vacuum on the black resin product that would form the new steering wheel rim? I will give Alumalite a call today for answers to a few questions. It would be nice if I had a very good original wheel that I could use to make a full pattern but do not. I will need to modify what was shown in the attached video clip to build up a partial rim on my existing wheel. I suppose that I could go the extra mile and build a complete new pattern out of wood and cut in the profile with a lathe but I probably won't. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rydersclassics Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 What diameter is your 1909 wheel? Do you know how many years are the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 6, 2022 Author Share Posted December 6, 2022 I am not sure on the real interchange. However, most of them look the same. I do know that the dish of the spider changes a bit. My steering wheel is 17" OD. Did you happen to get an extra in the Locomobile parts trove you purchased? Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rydersclassics Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 Not an extra. This is the best wheel I have, it's very nice. Sorry to say it is 18" od. Had hoped it was the same so you could pull a mold to repair your. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locoman Posted December 6, 2022 Share Posted December 6, 2022 Send it to Steering Wheel Bob and he will make it look like new. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 What state is Bob located in? Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rydersclassics Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 About Steering Wheel Bob With over 50 years as a builder, carpenter, and passionate car hobbyist, hand-craftsmanship is in my blood. I grew up around my father's car lot, and my first job as a teenager was in a body shop where I learned bodywork and painting from old-school artisans. I painted my first car at 17, and I've been hands-on in the hobby ever since. I completed my first ground-up, frame-off restoration over 50 years ago--a 1930 Franklin that won a CCCA First on it's inaugural outing and continued to rack up a series of Firsts and 'Best in Shows' over the next decade. I've always restored my show cars myself, and each earned multiple CCCA & AACA National First Prizes. These cars have included: 1930 Franklin 7 Passenger Sedan (1 of 7 produced) 1951 Imperial Convertible (1 of 650 produced) 1956 Crown Imperial Limousine (1 of 119 produced) 1952 GMC 1-Ton Pickup I've also owned a variety of other cars, including a 1925 Franklin boat tail Speedster, a 1950 Studebaker Pickup, and a very rare original 1951 Chrysler Town & Country Wagon. I've participated in numerous other restorations for friends and clients, and I've been exclusively performing steering wheel restorations (and dash parts) since the early 90's. Contact Bob Steering Wheel Bob Bob Monetti Tel:+1-609-483-2642 (Please--no calls after 5PM EST) bobmonetti@comcast.net 652 Rosemont Ringoes Rd Stockton, NJ 08559 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 Hello and thanks for this reference. I will give him a call and see what he has to say. If I can afford the price, this is a perfect time to get it done as my wheel is off the column. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 10, 2022 Author Share Posted December 10, 2022 This is an update to the suggestion that I get in touch with Steering Wheel Bob regarding my Locomoble steering wheel repair work needed. It looks like I am not quick enough for sure. My chat with Bob was a very pleasant and informative visit. Bob did inform me that at his age and backlog of work already committed to in his shop.....he is "done" taking on more work. When he finishes what he currently has committed to, no more steering wheel repairs for him. He did ask for pictures of my Locmobile steering wheel and is willing to direct me, from the sidelines, on how to approach this needed restoration work in my own shop. That is at least comforting. Regards, Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 15, 2022 Author Share Posted December 15, 2022 More contemplation for the Model L Locomobile steering wheel restoration. I may be time and money ahead to simply make a new pattern/mold for a complete new steering wheel rim. Then I could finish removing the old and damaged hard rubber and pour a complete new ring on the original spider. Here is the dilemma, I would mount two pieces of glued hard wood planks, (one at a time) into a lathe and cut out the contour and diameter of the correct steering wheel rim, both a top and bottom pattern. The dilemma is my lathe has a 16" swing capacity and I would need to turn about 20" for the patterns. Does anyone have other suggestions? I just thought of another idea, does anyone have a good 17" OD hard rubber steering wheel that I could rent to use as a pattern to pour a new silicone pattern on? Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sloth Posted December 15, 2022 Share Posted December 15, 2022 Hello Al, It also can be done with a router -as used for wood work- and an half round milling bit. There are a lot of this type wood milling bits for sale. Depending on the diameter of the steering wheel rim, one can buy the right diameter milling bit, or manufacture one your self. I think routing the pattern/mold is much easier and saver, than turning such a large plank😅. Regards, Harm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 15, 2022 Author Share Posted December 15, 2022 Hello Harm, That is a good idea. I would just need to come up with a very round pattern to drive the router on and cut a groove in some 1" cabinet grade smooth finished plywood. If it leaves a bit of a rough surface, some filler and hand work could prepare it to be a very nice pattern. If I build two of these, one for the top and one for the bottom mold pattern, I could then fit the cleaned and prepared spider to fit nicely centered and sandwiched into those patterns. Alumalite could give me recommendations as to how many feed ports and vent sprue ports would be needed so as to fully fill the pattern with EPOXY product and let out the entrapped air. Boy, does this sound simple! Good measurements from edge of pattern board to the edge of the pattern recess would be needed to peg both the upper and lower patterns EXACTLY into place....that also is doable. I need to chat with Alumalite to see if a release agent is needed which I am guessing the correct answer is yes. Thanks for this idea...... Al 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewarnut Posted December 16, 2022 Share Posted December 16, 2022 Al I have a router table but have not routed with plywood. Mostly I've used poplar or oak. I don't know how much tear out plywood would give but worth trying on. If you needed solid wood you could assemble a series of linear pieces in an octagon for example and then glue/assemble and then rout but I think having a center is essential for lining up the wheel and other processes....From that standpoint I wouldn't free hand or even use an outside guide----too many forces and too difficult to see the cutter. I'd suggest a way to turn the router or the work. If using a hand router, I'd attach the plate to wood or plexiglass and screw it to the center of your future form and turn a circle from there. If using a router table a sacrificial table and removing the guard and screwing to the table and turning the piece from that pivot is what I'd do. The only other detail is a single bit won't be enough. I think your profile is not circular but oval so you probably need a curved bit to tackle the inside and then outside curves in two separate passes. Lastly how are you attacking the finger-hold bumps on the front/inside side of the wheel? You might need a rose engine... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 16, 2022 Author Share Posted December 16, 2022 Thanks for your input. I am not really a skilled wood worker but feel that I am enough of a machinist that I can figure this issue out then adapt my idea to wood working tools. I do have a question, what is a rose engine? I have thought of the cross section issue also as the wheel rim is not absolutely round. I agree on another point, I do see a real need to have an established absolute pattern center point to reference and keep the process concentric. I see the need to mount the wheel spider at that central point when placing it in the prepared mold pattern. With good flat and smooth finish plywood I should be able to minimize flash from the pattern joint. On the finger hold nubs, that may be a concession. Any other thoughts and ideas on this subject are appreciated. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prewarnut Posted December 17, 2022 Share Posted December 17, 2022 Al, I should have put the grinning smiley next to my comment....A rose engine is a machine, sometimes in lathe form that, with a series of cams, can move in an out as it travels in a circle. It can make, print or cut ovals, stars, serrations. It can also precess. Basically the fine lines on the front and back of paper money was first done that way with the use of such machines and using ink. I was thinking if you could somehow repetitively lower and raise the cutter for the finger notches on the wheel rim.... My Bosch router has a finger dial control to raise/lower. I suppose if I was doing this and was turning the router around from a fixed center I'd mark out vectors and as I crossed each I'd twist the dial one way to lower the cutter and then twist back to re-establish prior height. Then again I'd probably fail and be calling the guy they mentioned a few posts up - but let us know how it goes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted December 17, 2022 Author Share Posted December 17, 2022 Hmmmmm, I am going to chew on the idea of spinning my router from a fixed or adjustable center jig. I see a couple of very good reasons for that idea you shared. First it would be a perfect circle. Second, if I build the jig adjustable I could cut an exact larger circumference plunge cut that would match on both the top and the bottom pattern boards and make it way easier to have the patterns in perfect alignment for pegging together and for the pouring process. More home-brew engineering is due. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMM Posted November 10 Share Posted November 10 On 12/10/2022 at 11:55 AM, alsfarms said: This is an update to the suggestion that I get in touch with Steering Wheel Bob regarding my Locomoble steering wheel repair work needed. It looks like I am not quick enough for sure. My chat with Bob was a very pleasant and informative visit. Bob did inform me that at his age and backlog of work already committed to in his shop.....he is "done" taking on more work. When he finishes what he currently has committed to, no more steering wheel repairs for him. He did ask for pictures of my Locmobile steering wheel and is willing to direct me, from the sidelines, on how to approach this needed restoration work in my own shop. That is at least comforting. Regards, Alan Hi @alsfarms, I know your post is almost a year old, but I thought I'd tell you (as his son) that Steering Wheel Bob's is definitely back in action. Overcame some minor health issues, things at home settled down, and he breathed new life into the shop last spring. Sorry if that window was somewhat closed as you were getting ready to tackle your wheel, but for future reference for you (and the board), wheels are coming out of the shop regularly and have never looked better. Not sure if I'm supposed to post links on the board, so instead I'll just say: check out his website for the newest blog post on a 1912 Lancia. This one blew me away! Jon Monetti 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted November 10 Author Share Posted November 10 Hello John, Thanks for this update on your Father and his business Steering Wheel Bob's. I will reach out to him today. Al 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted November 14 Author Share Posted November 14 Ok, on another Locomobile chat, I raised the question about winter projects for the upcoming snow season. One of my priorities has changed over night with Bob Monetti's son reached out to me with the good news that Bob is back in good health and doing steering wheel restorations again. I have had a couple of very good chats with Bob on the subject of my Locomobile steering wheel. I will post a few pictures of my as found wheel and as it will be shipped to Bob. I am excited as this new development frees up some time and contemplation so I can focus on other winter time projects. Here are the pictures, one at a time. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted November 14 Author Share Posted November 14 Two: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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alsfarms Posted November 14 Author Share Posted November 14 I will share more along the way on this Steering Wheel restoration. Al 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob McAnlis Posted November 17 Share Posted November 17 The Lancia wheel that Bob did is mine and it really turned out beautifully. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted November 17 Author Share Posted November 17 (edited) Hello Bob, That is nice to know that one amount is has a good experience and a good referral regarding Steering Wheel Bob. My Locomobile steering wheel will be heading east tomorrow. It is good that Bob is back in business. I hope that any others, who may have a bad steering wheel, take advantage of this resource. I will post other information relating to this subject as that information is available to me. Bob, if you are willing, post a picture of your restored steering wheel. Al Edited November 21 by alsfarms clarity (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob McAnlis Posted November 21 Share Posted November 21 Attached are photos of my steering wheel restored by SteeringWheel Bob. It started out in similar condition to your Loco wheel once the compromised areas were removed. SWBob does great work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob McAnlis Posted November 21 Share Posted November 21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted November 21 Author Share Posted November 21 (edited) Bob, what a nice looking steering wheel. What is the purpose of the knob on one of the spoke legs? Thanks for posting. Al Edited November 21 by alsfarms clarity (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob McAnlis Posted November 21 Share Posted November 21 The knob was for the idle speed control. Just like one of the levers on Locomobiles. Lancia used this feature in their early radiator emblems too. Visible at 3 o’clock below. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted November 21 Author Share Posted November 21 (edited) Bob, Did I happen to see you Lancia when I visited your Father's shop? Please describe the Lancia. I really doubt that Lancia was ever imported in big numbers in the early days. Your new steering wheel, is it coated to get the high lustre or simply polished? Al Edited November 21 by alsfarms Clarity (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsfarms Posted November 23 Author Share Posted November 23 Today is the day my unrestored Locmobile steering wheel is heading to the east coast and Steering Wheel Bob. This is exciting for me. Just as it is sending unrestored brass to Brittens Brass Works. I try to do as much of a restoration that I have the skill to do, but some items, if possible, I send to skilled craftsmen! Al PS: Oh yes, I wish all a nice break and a good Thanksgiving Giving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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