MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Wheel pretty well finished...

Although it is a bit heavier then I would like, and other then the finger indents on the back (still figuring out the jig I have to make)...the old wheel is pretty much done... think I am up to 13 hours and about $40.00....

http://www.niagarabritishcarclub.org/gb/oldwheel/oldwheel.html
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Gordon,

That looks really great. The thickness isn't a problem from my view, certainly it is no thicker than a leather wrapped original wheel, and who cares about moment of inertia in this case! Your solutions are always so inventive, I enjoy very much your sharing them.

warmly
dave
Dave Braun

Gordon

Great job. I am thinking of giving this a try. What are you going to use to route the grip?
Bruce Cunha

Am thinking about a little jig that a router can slide back and forth in...it would have a lug to fit into the slot that was just routed... You would do the first one by eye, then each new one would be the same depth and distance from the last? (am still thinking about that one).
The mahogany on this one is really light... not too far off the tone of the maple...Know it will darken with age, just surprised it wasn't dark like the other. The brass rivets(?) don't sand quite as easily as the aluminum... you can just feel a tiny bit of a bump around them.
gordon lawson

Gordon - WOW!!!! Dave
David DuBois

Gordon,

I replaced my original wheel with a Les Leston mahogany one. I made a center hub out of mahogany to match the wheel but used the original insert for it. Then I did a gear shift knob and emergency brake handle also to match. All three look really nice and they compliment the mahogany dash on my TD. I don't mean to make more work for you but with your ability I thought it might give you something to think about.

If I get a chance I'll try to get some photos for you.

George Herschell
George R Herschell

Well, did the gear shift knob... ( http://www.niagarabritishcarclub.org/gb/wheel/td345.jpg )and have thought about a dash, but mine is in such good shape, I think I will hold off for a bit...
gordon lawson

Gordon

I really like how the new wheeel is going. I have the Mona Lisa or whatever it's called which is real pretty and smaller is easier for me to get in and out of the car. The old original wheel is in my spares in need of restoration. My hands do not have the grip strength they used to so your thicker rim would be nice for me. Someday perhaps I can take on that project. Keep up the fine work.
Dave
D Clark

Finished last night... If I was doing it again (my brother is sending me an MGA wheel)... I wouldn't do the indents...or find a better shaped router bit... too much hand sanding....Total time was about 15 hours but that included making a few jigs... The whole process really lends itself to "assembly line" type production... lots of "waiting for the glue to dry" ....

http://www.niagarabritishcarclub.org/gb/oldwheel/oldwheel.html
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Fabulous Gordon. A real labour of love.
John S James

Really fabulous Gordon.

I'm so impressed with your craftsmanship and your willingness to share your thoughts as you develop your procedures. It is a pleasure to look in on your work.

Warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

A real work of art by a true craftsman! I envy your talent and admire your work. It looks great!
Jim Merz

Excellent job again Gordon. Thanks for sharing it with us including the very informative pictures. I now know what a router is and how you made all the jigs. Super craftmanship !
Bas

clever on the router XXX fixture. Very nice wheel! I'll give you $50 for it he he he...
Alright so it is after 5 o'clock and I' getting fiesty.
D Clark

Gordon. Very nice work!! I redid a Bugatti wheel for a friend a few years back and had the same problem with the finger indents. I solved it by building a pantograph jig. It was very similar to yours but the rotating arm was hinged at the center pin so that the router could move up and down without moving in or out of the desired circle. The arm also has a roller bearing on the outboard end that rides on whatever pattern you want to make for it. In this case it replicated the indentations on the original Bugatti wheel. A 1" core box carbide cutter cut right through the yellow brass rivets and there was not a lot of file work to clean up th rim. It took a little while to get the depthing right on the cutter but you can do that on a piece of scrap. As you say most of the work is in the set up. Once the jigs are made you could turn them out quite rapidly. Cheers, JL

James Lea
2 West St. PO Box 25
Rockport Maine 04856

1952 MG TD Vintage Racer
1953 Triumph Mayflower
1958 Rover P4
1962 Austin Healey 3000 BT7
James Lea

The only router bit I found (after three stores) was a 1/2" plunge bit... it was just too straight on each side... needed something with about an 1/8" depth, but with a shoulder on each side...am still looking... meanwhile, this one can sit on my shelf until spring...then I have to decide which I like better... "oh...so many wheels, so little time"
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Gordon,

Looking at the job you have done, your power tools and especially the number of clamps you have I suspect you are they guy who presents "The New Yankie Workshop" on the Discovery Channel.

Congratulations


Jan T
J Targosz

I have a real advantage... I work as a buyer for a very large Theatre Company's props shop... we have the facilities to build just about anything... steel, wood, upholstery, etc... With 11 employees working building props, we have just about everything...

http://www.shawfest.com
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Gordon-
There's a beautiful wood steering wheel on e-Bay that looks just like yours.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-TD-MGTD-TF-mgtf-Steering-Wheel-Wood-Rim_W0QQitemZ8022165627QQcategoryZ33704QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Why would anyone spend so much time on such a project and then sell it?

Roy Challberg

Roy ---- Maybe because there are three finger indents missing and he wants to start over (maybe already has).
Cheers,

Bob
R. K. (Bob) Jeffers

I saw the wheel too. I figured that Gordon was anxious to develope a marketing niche, so he could justify the tooling he spoke of!

Wow... Gordon you are in NOTL... I stayed at the Wellington House once.

dave
Dave Braun

Well, it was all done and just sitting there, and I love the Nardi and Christmas is coming, and I bought two more TD wheel frames, and, and, and... oh shucks.... Have 5 watchers and a couple with questions... we will see?
gordon lawson - TD 27667

You know Gordon I was just razzing you with my $50 offer. Really. I have a beautiful Moto Lisa or Mona Lisa or whatever the heck it's called. Best of luck with the auction. Whatever you get won't be enough for the effort and skill you put in to it.
D Clark

Years from now, the wheel could be a prized possession. A Gordon prototype, with digital documentation to prove it!
Tom

Inside it is : GL0252
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Gordon,

I bet the Nardi wheel has GL0251 inside ? Good action !
Bas

You guessed it!!!
gordon lawson

This thread was discussed between 27/11/2005 and 13/12/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.