917 shift knob

MOMO3.2 · 08-19-2004, 01:05 PM

After checking out the 917s at the Monterey Historics this weekend, I want a 917 balsa wood shift knob for my 87 Carrera in a big way.

Sure, if I can find one, I may pretend like I'm Steve McQueen occasionally. But, just think of the weight savings over the standard shift knob...

Where can I get one?

Thanks.

Mike

Porschekid962 · Porschekid962's Garage

buy a lathe! I am in the process of making some of my own right now since classes are done for a few weeks. balsa might be a bit to light and soft but i will experiment and get some pics up in the next few weeks

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

I think that trying to find one for purchase would be a tall order. If original or even NOS, (from or for a 917!) the price might be ridiculous. I don't even know where you can BUY balsa wood, other than a hobby shop. It would probably be easier to make it. Glue several layers of it together, hold overnight in a vice. Cut a cube out of it, and then hopefully some woodshop could make a ball shape out of that.

Then you destroy some old obsolete shift knob to get the thread insert that goes inside it. Or you could just see what thread the shifter has and find a hex nut to fit it. Mount/glue/press fit the hex nut inside the ball, maybe even two hex nuts side by side.

A billiard ball might be your template, especially if you're doing it by hand. Balsa is so soft and easy to work with, that given enough patience I think you could do it using a hand file or a dremel. If there were slight imperfections, I'd chalk it up to authenticity.

rbcsaver · 08-19-2004, 01:23 PM

Balsa wood be much too breakable. Yes a lathe will do the trck easily, though you will need a metal insert for the compression fit. Just plain wood will loosen over time.
regards,
Steve

Wil Ferch · 08-19-2004, 01:28 PM

Although these knobs are purported to be Balsa wood... I wonder if its true.

I remember these as being something like laminated maple or such.

---Wil

KobaltBlau · 08-19-2004, 01:51 PM

sure looks laminated anyway

MOMO3.2 · 08-19-2004, 02:48 PM

Thanks for the replies. I imagine it will have to be a DIY project in the near future.

Mike

KobaltBlau · 08-19-2004, 03:02 PM

Some friends of mine have a wood lathe this could be done on. Come to think of it, I should make a new shift knob this way instead of paying $$ for one.

KALLGREN · 08-19-2004, 03:32 PM

I have a new 69e with a shift knob that comes readily to hand, a bit too readily. Like you I am planning a balsa shift knob. Balsa comes in a variety of grades some much harder than others.

Although I haven't yet started the project, I will let you know how it progresses.

BK

BK

MOMO3.2 · 08-19-2004, 03:41 PM

Sounds great BK!

Mike

temo79 · temo79's Garage

Buy a CGT, give me the car, keep the shift knob.

pwd72s · 04:33 PM

The reddish tinged wood looks like mahogany...perhaps with balsa sandwich pieces? Billiard ball might be too big as a template...anybody know the dia. of the 917 knob? I'd think a lamination of mahogany & balsa, using some wooden boat building epoxy would come pretty close. Me? I'll stick with the original plastic. There is a lot to say for the round knob shape tho. The best "feels right to the hand" shift knob I had was the round plastic one atop the Hurst shifter of my '65 GTO...

Mrdi · Mrdi's Garage

Balsa is a little soft!
A nice sitka spruce would be very light and still have some integrity. It is verry close grained and doesn't splinter easily.
It is also available, and turns well.

araine901 · araine901's Garage

I wanted one too, I orderd some wood balls from a wood toy supply and stained it to match my Momo Indy wheel and Mahogany dash. Not quite as cool as the sandwich balsa one but for a total of $5 invested, close enough for me.

MOMO3.2 · 08-19-2004, 05:15 PM

Very ingenious araine901. Your shift knob really does go well with your interior.

If HFT has a really, REALLY cheap mini lathe, I am damnwell going to make one myself in the next week or two.

Mike

no substitute · 08-19-2004, 05:18 PM

Are the lighter sections laminations (along with the darker sections) or grooves cut for grip?

pwd72s · 08-19-2004, 05:25 PM

I'm thinking a lamination of Balsa, Mahogany...soaked in epoxy, cured, then turned in a lathe. Just a thought...I don't work with wood. Other than when I pick up a chain saw, making firewood.

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by araine901
I wanted one too, I orderd some wood balls from a wood toy supply and stained it to match my Momo Indy wheel and Mahogany dash. Not quite as cool as the sandwich balsa one but for a total of $5 invested, close enough for me.

Not only is that a good way to "get there" but also that is a beautiful interior. Any more pics? Any bigger?

Thanks.

MOMO3.2 · 08-19-2004, 07:16 PM

The knob is laminated pieces of wood (balsa I am told). It is completely smoothe.

Mike

concentric · 08-19-2004, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MOMO3.2
The knob is laminated pieces of wood (balsa I am told). It is completely smoothe.

Mike

If you need an insert for the knob that'll screw on to the shaft, give me a shout. If we can find out the thread pattern, I can have one machined for you quite easily. I think we're local.

JCM