[Rachelsdad]

Originally Posted by Cammer-6

Quality Restorations quoted even higher than D&D
waiting on call back from Kochs,Garys,Kris,JB Donaldson

Quality (vs D&D) is not surprising based on my prior experience. At least that has remained consistent.

I'm waiting on a ping back from Kris, as well.

I stumbled on Koch's last evening. While they list a mold for my '68 Caddy (which sorely needs a wheel respin), they don't list one for my '56 or my '63 Pontiacs, so for me, at least, they may not be useful. Looks like they do have molds for yours, though. It will be interesting to hear how you make out with them.

I also checked out Gary's last night. He seems to restore rather than respin.

Another one to throw into the hat is apparently W W Motor Cars & Parts, Inc:

https://wwmotorcars.com

It seems as though they have (or used to have) a division of their restoration shop dedicated to wheels, and were even featured in Cars & Parts magazine some years back. They are in Broadway, VA. Phone: 540-896-8243

I was not familiar with JB Donaldson. For those stopping by to read this thread:

https://www.jbdonaldsoncosteeringwheels.com/

Phoenix, AZ. Phone: 602-278-4505

(The site's cert is mismatched, so in case your browser chokes, use http:// instead of https. Also, whoever sold them on that excessively long domain name should be shot at dawn, but I digress - and my IT profession is showing, so I'll put it away.)

[gto4ben]

I drove in 2021 to Kochs in Acton CA. with my my buddy who needed a '47 Cadillac steering wheel restored. I gave them two of my wood wheels. One was to make a '67 mold and one to do the paint finish work. They didn't charge me for the mold work and they gave me back the unfinished wheel. When I spoke to them, I thought they had a mold for the '67 Deluxe steering wheel but if they don't, see if they can make a mold for you. I attached photos of the unfinished and finished wheels for comparison to give you an idea of their process. BTW, Acton CA. is a pretty scenic for a high desert town.

[Cammer-6]

this thread keeps growing in value.
I now know calling Garys was wasted,Im only interested in recast.

[Cammer-6]

I sent another email to guy in Sweden asking if he could make a mold.
He politely declined saying his backlog is 1 yr so no time for new molds

[Cammer-6]

This looks like a perfect opportunity for an ambitious person to start a business.
They would of course need some knowledge of moldmaking.

[Rachelsdad]

There is certainly room for some competition to (hopefully) bring the prices - and wait times - more in line with potential customer expectations. I would think that if the number of possible craftsmen were to double, that should make a significant impact in this area.

[Cammer-6]

scratch WWMotor cars and parts
they no longer do steering wheels.

[Rachelsdad]

Thanks for the update (as disappointing as it may be). If the forum software would allow, I'd go back up and strike through my reference, but it's too late for me to edit my post, at this point.

[242177P]

Originally Posted by Rachelsdad

Thanks for the update (as disappointing as it may be). If the forum software would allow, I'd go back up and strike through my reference, but it's too late for me to edit my post, at this point.

A moderator can edit that for you.
If b-man or Stuart see this...

[Rachelsdad]

Originally Posted by 242177P

A moderator can edit that for you.

I was just thinking that as I was typing. ;-)

Thanks for confirming.

[Cammer-6]

well
only 1 has returned my call only to say I ll call you back,,,,that was 3 days ago.

It seems the norm to ignore call backs,thinking its only 1 potential customer.
But when its posted on net that may turn in to 100 potential customers.

[Cammer-6]

I talked to a local mold maker whos receptive to trying this.
Stumbling block will be finding one in my cores that will be good enough to make a mold from.

[Scarebird]

I am curious if the diameter and dimple size/pitch are the same between many different wheels.

If so, a permanent aluminum mold may be the best option - made by CNC mill. A copy of a copy loses a lot of detail.

[Cammer-6]

finger grip areas on most are same
but theres lots of details that are unique.
The local guy I talked to yday said a single hair can even show up in mold and the finished product
unless its caught.No different than paint really.
none of the wheels I'm doing are "round".They are 16" across but 15" +- vertically