Gauging Interest (Shift Knobs)

I don't like my stock knob and couldn't find any out there that I did like. So I decided to make my own. Just would like see if there is any interest if I made more, people would like to buy them. The two on the left are aluminum, the two in the middle are stainless steel and the one on the right is my stock one for a reference. The tall ones could be used to replace automatic knobs and the short ones for manuals. I plan on having stickers made to put on the top of the short ones for the shift patterns. I am definitely interested in feedback, pm me if you have any questions.

 

Nice work!! They look more old school hot rod to me though. Something you would see on a tall shift lever in a rat-rod T-bucket. Props for the skills.

 

Depending on a price, I think I would be interested. I drive a 5 speed

 

The options on those are endless and can easily be made to look different by bead blasting for a duller finish or even anodize the aluminum ones at home.

 

For what it takes to make these, I figure $60 for the short one and $100 for the tall one are reasonable prices. I'm probably going to stick with just making the aluminum ones. The stainless steel knobs are very heavy. Depending on how they do I may look into anodizing them in the future.

 

very nice work! i might be interested in a short one for my auto. you in slidell,la?

 

I like the mushroom shape alot. The aluminum will not wear well, and probably leave marks on your hand unless you hard anodize it. Shift knobs work best if you make them heavy. The stainless would fill that bill. The problem with metal though is that it will be cold. That's why I prefer synthetic materials. Delrin (acetyl) machines very well and might be another option

I would suggest you not use a sticker for the shift pattern. Instead use laser engraved plastic inserts. Any better trophy shop can make these for you at a very low cost, You can get them with adhesive backing and laser cut to fit the recess in the knob perfectly. very professional looking and they won't run off over time. A sticker won't last.

 

I am very glad to see there is interest in the knobs! Keep the input coming. I am from Louisiana, moved out years ago, but was a great place to grow up! I'm not sure how the aluminum will wear, but the quality of this one is 10 times better than any knobs I have seen from China. I will look into costs for doing Delrin as well, thank you for the tip. Although I have not drilled and tapped them yet, to give an idea of what the Stainless ones weigh, 19.6oz for the short knob and 25.5oz for the tall one. After drilling and tapping that weight should considerably change. My concern is that with that much weight at the end of the shifter, it may take the truck out of gear going over bumps or potholes. If the weight is a good bit lighter after they are finished I will be more inclined to sell them. The stainless ones do have that heavy duty feel that i do like. As for the stickers, I am planning on using the gel material that they use for etching it just has the sticker beneath it instead of etching. Trust me, they aren't cheesy by any means. The etching is a good idea too though.

 

Off the hinges! I might just have to buy one. NICE

 

I would buy a stainless, short one for an auto.

 

Cool designs! however I've been there done that with the metal shift knobs in the past. I like my stock leather one. Here in GA in the summer time, you're looking to get the shift pattern branded in the palm of your hand grabbing one of those after your car sits in the hot sun all day. OUCH!

 

I wouldn't nix the heavy stainless steel knobs so quickly. A lot of people (me included) prefer heavy knobs because it makes shifting easier, particularly if you have a short shift kit installed.
I would be very interested in the long stainless steel knob. Wanna sell me the prototype?

 

Just want to let everyone know that I am still working on having the finished product done and pictures up soon. Going to start with the shorter "mushroom" knob in steel first, since that one received the most interest.

 

Are you still contemplating selling the machined knobs?