Shift Knob-Home Made

[porschedude996]

I was looking for a knob to place on my new JWest Shifter (1983 911SC). I really like the striped 917 Shift Knobs. I saw some scary priced knobs (Poland) like I wanted, but why not make my own, for free! Yah-right…

Fixture-Tooling:
About 10-15 hours work I built a jig/fixture to use with my metal lathe. I planned on a couple of rejects, but hit one on the first try.

Machine Knob:

Plane/Laminate Mahogany and Maple together and saw/sand into a rough cylinder shape.

Drill and tap a 5/8-11 tpi and thread in a insert 3/8-24 to 5/8-11.

Use 3/8-24 stud to join in a three-jaw chuck.

Plunge using the new shop tool every 1-10 degrees.

Sand smooth using 36, 80, 120, 220, 320 sand paper.

Finish:
Apply thin film of “Super-Glue” using a paper towel while slowly spinning on lathe. Continue until dry to touch. Use a good organic breathing mask and a face shield. Repeat untill the pores of the wood are filled. I think I have 4-5 coats on it.

Polish using a wheel polisher and blue compound.

So all in all, I have about $65 in and a lot of hours. I pay myself next to nothing. So why didn’t I buy the $100 one??? Because I can say I made it…










Here is a closer look at the tool/fixture I made.

[fanaudical]

Very nice!

[Noah930]

That looks fantastic!

[John W.]

That’s awesome work and a nice write up.

[Quasimoto]

Good looking piece… I made my own for the same reason, satisfying project!

[AlKidd]

Had a buddy who likes to turn make me one. Its a bit big but Ive got a big paw. Doing a rev 2 with some more exotic woods. This was just cherry. Ive also drilled out a billiard ball (#13) to accept the stock compression spring. It fits tighter than the factory knob.

[na2ub]

Nice work. I crafted my knob in high school, about 7 years before it found a home in my 79 911. Zebra wood was the subject, and when gluing 3 plys together, I did not line up the grain. No matter, the less than perfect craftsmanship still shines in my beat to hell interior.

[shadowjack1]

Very nice work.

[Quasimoto]

Love these threads when people show the steps they used, well done.

My process was fairly similar:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/timberhawks/albums/72157712715158808

[porschedude996]

I thank you all. Now that I understand the economics, I would need $500 apiece. I was trying to match the look of my Momo Steering Wheel. I think i will try one with a aluminum striation.

Any takers? Haha, not much competition with our host.

[spoke]

Originally Posted by porschedude996

So all in all, I have about $65 in and a lot of hours. I pay myself next to nothing. So why didn’t I buy the $100 one??? Because I can say I made it…

Awesome.

My rule of thumb on projects like this is if I like to do the project then time/materials don't matter.

[Jp-oh]

Love diy stuff. Make all the things. I whipped this knob up one afternoon using walnut I have that I’ve been using for knife handles. I shaped the sphere by hand on belt grinders, and added the faceting on a 1000 grit belt so it’s shiny. The center has a bit of mosaic pin featuring a trout and the finish is linseed.

[911 Rod]

Wow. A lot of skill here gents!

[na2ub]

a trout? I'm not gonna ask, but I like it!

[kees]

Very well done!

[porschedude996]

Interesting with the facet’s. The feel good in your hand.

Originally Posted by Jp-oh

Love diy stuff. Make all the things. I whipped this knob up one afternoon using walnut I have that I’ve been using for knife handles. I shaped the sphere by hand on belt grinders, and added the faceting on a 1000 grit belt so it’s shiny. The center has a bit of mosaic pin featuring a trout and the finish is linseed.

[Jp-oh]

Originally Posted by porschedude996

Interesting with the facet’s. The feel good in your hand.

Yeah, it is really comfy.