Wooden shift knob?

Danglerb · 05-21-2008, 03:43 PM

Rockler's has a store in town with all sorts of fancy bits of wood to make simple small projects out of. One of my rubber shift knobs (5 spd) is falling apart, so I started thinking about making one out of wood.

Anybody try this?

Any kind of wood recommended?

Some wood in the armrest, maybe the grab handle might be nice too.

gattaca · gattaca's Garage

How about balsa or birch? Was good enough for the 917 and Carrera GT respectively.

Normy · 05-21-2008, 06:25 PM

Wood shift knobs are available, but they aren't original.

If you find one? Go ahead, install it. Post a picture, we are all interested.

N!

Danglerb · 05-21-2008, 06:35 PM

None of the off the shelf knobs are going to fit without an adapter, no like adapters.

If I could just replace the rubber I would do that. There is a local guy that does silicone molding, maybe he can do something.

DanielDudley · 05-22-2008, 03:22 PM

Interesting concept. I'd be inclined to modify the lever to take an aftermarket shift knob

Danglerb · 05-22-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

Interesting concept. I'd be inclined to modify the lever to take an aftermarket shift knob

I gave some thought to doing just that, making it a short shifter while I was at it, who knows where I may end up once I get going?

Not sure what in the generic aftermarket I really like either.

Danglerb · 05-22-2008, 10:08 PM

I stopped by Rocklers and talked to some wood junkies and looked over the fancy wood. A block of wood 2" by 2" by about 6" varied from $4 to more than $25, and my guess is enough to make 2 knobs, but not 3. The wood guy didn't see any problem in machining the slot or durability of the wood, but I am not very sure of skill at making anything shaped the way I want.

First thought is to start with a soft wood like pine, work out the shape, then duplicate in the desired fancy wood.

rjm65 · 05-23-2008, 11:10 AM

Did you see any Cocobolo? I think it would make for an attractive knob. I made some stocks for a Colt a few years back from it, came out pretty nice.

Watch the sawdust when working on some of those exotic woods, can be somewhat irritating.

Danglerb · 05-23-2008, 12:05 PM

Nice looking wood, but a shift knob might be too small to bring out the pattern of the wood.

Some wood picts below starting with a cocobolo 2x2x12 turning blank $10

Walnut

Rocklers has a special on a box full of end cuts for $20, that kind of has my name all over it.

I really have no idea how I might make it into a knob just yet though.

ROG100 · 05-24-2008, 03:45 PM

IIRC the original wood pieces were RootWood which I think means Rose wood - maybe.
A dark colored wood would look really good.

Rootwood was used for the shifter and the door panel inserts as well as the surround around the clock.
It was a $6000 option.

If someone came up with a aftermarket set to a high quality it would sell I know.

Danglerb · 05-24-2008, 06:52 PM

I think rootwood literally means wood from the root, but whatever it means it looks nice.

rjm65 · 05-24-2008, 08:10 PM

[QUOTE=gattaca;3962357]D., Here's one I found done on the door insert:
QUOTE]

Hmmm, maybe a butcher block pattern using 2 dark and slightly contrasting woods types on a door insert to match the pascha design?

Danglerb · 05-24-2008, 09:43 PM

Some of the Lexus knobs are interesting, but I don't care for the chrome.

Nicole · 05-25-2008, 01:16 AM

We had rosewood knobs for both automatic and manual for a while, but sold out of them.

Root Wood = Wurzelholz
Rose Wood - Rosenholz

Danglerb · 05-25-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole

We had rosewood knobs for both automatic and manual for a while, but sold out of them.

Root Wood = Wurzelholz
Rose Wood - Rosenholz

Any pictures?

Any chance of getting more?

How expensive?

Danglerb · 06:09 PM

http://www.duw.de/shop/detailview.aspx?CatalogProductId=12254

Danglerb · 05-25-2008, 06:10 PM

Nicole · 05-26-2008, 12:53 AM

These are synthtic woods, and the kit is for a 911. I can offer kits with authentic wood veneer, custom made for each individual 928.

The synthetic wood - we have that as well, in many, many variations - is usually "flat" when you look at it. You move your viewing angle, and it does not change at all.

Authentic wood, on the other hand, has a dimensional quality; it reflects light differently, and changes a bit as you move your viewing angle. It's more beautiful, natural, authentic - because it's real.

low miler · 05-26-2008, 05:24 AM

Here is a picture of an OEM 928 GT wooden shift knob taken from one of my former '91 GT's.

At the time I had the car for sale, someone had inquired as to whether or not I knew of any aftermarket companies that offered an identical, if not very similiar, OEM looking knob to mine. I did a huge search for him and came up with a nearly identical looking shift knob from Momo. Momo also offered an adapter specifically for the Porsche 928. I passed the information along to that person and they bought the whole setup. He later e-mailed me some photos of his newly installed Momo wooden shift knob, and it looked freakin' awsome! Unfortunately, when my old computer took a ****, I lost all of my old stuff, including his pictures, e-mail address and everything. So if that person is a member of this forum, please come forward and present pictures of your Momo assembly. If not, may I suggest you contact Momo directly and see if they still have any of those rosewood shift knobs in stock. I looked online and it appears they don't sell them anymore.

Hope this helps, Todd