Custom Shift Knob

So I was bored the other night and thought hey I'll make a shift knob. It's not finished yet, but I figured I'd put some pics up and get some feedback in case you all some good ideas on what else to do to it. My plans now are to modify the bottom (maybe turn it down some and/or shorten it) and paint the grooves black. I'm still not sure if I like the rough sanded look or if I want to polish it. I might polish it tonight then post some pics tomorrow to see what you all think.



It still kinda looks too long to me. I think if I turn the bottom diameter down some it will make it look better. Sorry for the pic quality, my phone kinda sucks.

 

I like it! I like the rough sanded look, but I also think that the strips should be black.

And

That's what she said.

 

Damn I set myself up for that one.

 

Since you have a lathe, you might think about a 2 piece design. Here's the one I made:

 

damn you both..im jealous

 

Nice! I like that toku. I'm gonna mess around with the one I got for now, see what I can come up with for it. I might try to come up with something 2 piece for the next one.

 

So when are you guys going to be selling a few of these???

 

This is mine. This is on a X-Runner. 2 1/4" diameter.

 

I'd buy that top one in a second!!!

 

How exactly is it made? And out of what?

 

I say no paint, I like the look of it now....all metal, tough.

 

That is beautiful!!!

 

Sell me a billet one!

 

Mine is made out of 6061 T6 aluminum round stock. I just cut a chunk off and threw it in the lathe and started cutting. I actually had to make it 2 piece but you really cant tell. I had to cut it in half because I didnt have a tap long enough to reach all the way inside. Then I just turned a shoulder on one end and bored out a hole on the other and pressed it back together. I just got done modifying it some more. I cut the bottom down some and put another shoulder on it. It looks and feels much better to me now. I'll put up some more pics when I get home in the morning.

PS: I took a black paint marker and painted the grooves black. It looked ok, but I liked the rough full sanded look better so I sanded the paint back off.

 

Ha nice.

 

Ahh got it thats cool wouldn't mind getting one for myself.

 

nice job guys! Now you've made me want to make one of my own. I'll have to add this to the list of things to do once I get back to college in the fall. My college has a great machining shop for the students. I also have another idea of a detail i'd like to add to mine when i make one(but im not gonna tell what it is)..... i think its a little too much for me to add it so I may have to enlist the help of another student who's awesome on the CNC mills.

 

We got some CNC machines here too. I wish I had my own shop, I'd be mass producing all kinds of stuff and selling it. I thought about putting my shift knob in the CNC mill and doing some writing or a logo or something of some sorts, but I'm too lazy to set it all up and couldn't really decide on what exactly to put on it anyway.

 

Looks good man.

 

Looks good down close to the shift gate & yes, do the grooves black.