You would use a wood glue rather than epoxy but that is right - you just glue layers of contrasting wood together.

I'd rough cut with a bandsaw before going over to the lathe.

.... and make a big enough plank so you could cut it into four squares... in case you botch one of them

Thanks JCM.

We are local. I am in San Gabriel Valley. If I get a mini lathe and can pull off a quality product, maybe I can swap you a knob for a few inserts. Hell, maybe we could go into busness...

Mike

Costa Mesa here, but I get around for the studio stuff.
Let me know how many you need. I'd be happy to help out.

PM sent with contact info.

Jason

OK I talked with some of the shop guru's at my school tonight (Art Center) and gave me a few options. Use some "normal" wood and turn it to my desired shape then stain and clear coat. Stain and coat with catalyzed resin, not epoxy.

Use balsa wood, cut out rough on bandsaw and then turn on lathe with freshly sharpened tools, then stain and soak in clear coat or resin, NOT EPOXY!

As far as a fitting goes thats the easy part, after you have turn your piece, use a drill press and drill into your knob. Then thread a piece of alu. tube or steel tube or just use a set screw on the side of the knob.

All in all shouldnt take more than a half hour with just a lathe and hand drill.
Shop closes at school for three weeks but one of the guys is a Porsche nut and gave me a 1/10th scale porsche 911 GT1 le mans car model carved from wood. it's damn impressive, i need a dig cam.

I've seen a guy use wood as a gas pedal before... rather like un homage to the floorboards since he swapped in the plastic type, but the shift knob is really gonna drive the connection home.

Porschekid962:

I am an Art Center Alumni. I was there almost twenty years ago...sheesh time flies.

}{arlequin:

A wood gas pedal! I just had an epiphany. I could make balsa wood clutch and brake pedals too. That would really save some weight.

Mike

LOL. Actually, I believe the pedal was plywood, but since it was in a red, stripped-to-bare-metal floored interior 993 RS clone, that didn't really matter.

As for balsa on the clutch/brake, the balsa I know (airplane models) seems much too soft and would wear out quickly. Then again, someone posted above that there are different types of balsa w/ different hardness.

The shift knob would be a cool idea, though. As soon as I find some balsa I'll give it a try, with and w/o a lathe.

(BTW, this is OT for this thread, but does anyone know where I can find a pipe/tube that's similar to the pvc plumbing, but clear? I'm looking for a 2ft long section w/ 12" diameter.)

a good source for balsa is http://www.superiorbalsa.com/

their prices are much better than the local hobby shop, and shipping on balsa is cheap since it is so light.

on a related topic, a friend of mine from DEs has about 3/8" thick wood on top of his gas pedal to make it more even with the brake for heel-toe, but still give lots of brake travel in case the brake fluid boils. It's painted black and the same shape as the stock pedal so you can't even tell unless you're really looking. I'll post on here when I do the project.

hey harlequin, art center unite! haha, im in trans right now, what did you study? OT as well but if your looking for plastic like that you can call up art center and ask for the tool crib, today is the last day they are open and they have a listing of all sorts of supply stores. I dont know what it is called but in Burbank there is a plastics/acrylic supply store. Hope this helps.

This morning I made up some templates and found some wood in my garage that I am going to try and make some pieces with. African hardwood called Jabota, very rich color and extremely hard. Will post pics when done.

A balsa shift knob sounds like a cool project. Let us know how it goes :)

Speaking of gas pedals, here's what i did a few weeks ago.
The aluminium is 0.9 cm thick. I added some weight compared to the stock pedal, but I think it was worth it. Besides I will make a lighter one (thinner) later when i get a drill press.

I like the swiss cheese look :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093044394.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093044420.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093044433.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093044452.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093044472.jpg

Sorry for the low quality pictures (phone camera), I will do a thread on this and some other projects when I get my other camera back.

That's cool, Ove. I'm surprised to see a Norwegian doing projects in the summer, though :D. Save that for when there isn't any light!

Look for a Plexiglass/acrylic shop in the yellow pages or on the net. I have gotten some odd pieces off the shelf or even custom made for various projects.

Here is a good shop in San Diego http://www.sdplastics.com/ that I have used I can't find the link to the other shop I used.

This thread is very interesting, I have contemplated making a shift knob myself for some time now. I love the look of the 917 type knobs. Since I quit working on cars I now own a custom woodworking business and I do turnings. I also have access to a original 917 knob. The first part of the week I will get a hold of the knob so I can copy the dimensions and I will play around with the laminations, wood types and finishes. I would be interested in anyone who might want to purchase one as it will be cheaper if I can make several at a time..

Thanks.
Mark..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1093094727.jpg
Just for example

I'd certainly entertain it Mark, but balsa?
Perhaps a white cedar or spruce.
Balsa is compressable with hand pressure.
And the grain is subject to pull outs.

I agree, also balsa is kind of a generic term, there are many different woods that are called balsa.

I’m thinking maybe maple and mahogany. Cedar is a good thought, never used it in a turning so I’m not sure how well it would turn but I’m willing to try..

Cedar is interesting.
What we see here in So Cal is the red cedar,
In the Pacific N W they use white cedar to carve ceremonial masks etc,
It is light, relatively soft and has good integrity.
If it carves well, it will turn well.
Bass wood also turns well, is light in coloration, is often used for carving, but is rather oily and it is a little heavy.

I turned a knob from Cocobola.
It turns well, is beautiful in its' coloration and develops a fine patina as it is used.
It is naturally oily so requires no finishing, except to bring it to a 600 grit surface. The natural oils lets it just gleam, it is a little dense and therefore a little heavy, but an ounce or 2, ?.

many tropical harwoods have toxic dust, so deal w/that while working them. I think Cocobola is one.