Custom Billet Shift Knob for Toyota Tacoma (2-1/4" diameter). ***Utilizes factory boot.***

.

I certainly had to do something. On my 3rd collar now, and I refuse to buy another. It should last much longer in the shop being gently used as a gauge only, rather than also being on my truck.

 

So this is what I came up with for a custom (for me) Ti/Delrin. Not set on it yet, but I'll let it marinate.

 

That looks good...solid Ti or is there a hybrid core?

 

It'll be solid, no need for me to be under the 435g that it will weigh.

Had a few people ask for hybrids with delrin ring, and that's just an insane amount of work for one knob. The price point just wouldn't make sense, but I could technically do it if anybody REALLY wanted it.

 

Hehe, you said same about Ti

 

I'll post it here since this thread is more active. Received my AT knob today and did a bit of customization but it's really an impressive piece. Rick is a talented man.

 

Nice, that looks sharp! Post it in the auto thread also, let's get that one active as well

 

Fantastic pictures!

I'm going to add a few of those to the OP of the AT thread in the morning.

 

PMd! I want one!

 

Just one?

 

Yanno, I been noodling on this...good looking knob, that delrin ring really works. I like the knurl, but...

You know me with my elaborate engraving requests, so here goes a suggestion. Would it be possible to engrave something Escher-esque...or is that a 5 axis thing again lol

 

Can probably do a thin band (knurl is 1" tall, I'm talking less than 1/4") to keep the tool close to the center of the sphere on the X axis, and program in <5 degree work envelopes (A axis) to keep the tool close to center on Y axis, chase the engraving around until it's complete. Can even go as far as building a trunion table to upgrade a machine to low capacity 5 axis (small parts like this would be doable, but not much else to make this venture worth it).

The problem here is always time and money. I can do something more elaborate, but you're talking hours of time before I even touch the part for something that may end up needing tweaks for it to be aesthetically pleasing. Best to keep things simple, because nobody wants to sit through 10+ hours of work only to need 5 more hours of tweaking, and ultimately the customer may not like the end result. On top of that, even if they DO like it ... there is very little chance that a custom feature will be desirable by other buyers.

There is a beauty in simplicity, and these knobs really showcase that (IMO).

Developing on a CNC is very time consuming, and the sense of that is made in ability to repeat things quickly and accurately. This is why I tend to do some things for free, because I deemed a feature to have a great potential for ROI.

Custom stuff just doesn't have that going for it, so I have to create a different pay structure for that. The time that I save in CNC equipment repeat-ability for what is already developed creates a little extra time for me to wiggle in complimentary custom time. After that is gone I have to begin charging for it. So that is what we are up against, and time is my greatest enemy (just don't have enough of it).

 

Can't wait to see a production version of the JMC Knob v2.0

Outstanding design and craftsmanship!

Please put me on the wait list for one of them.

 

Things actually have slowed a bit this week, hopefully I can tackle it soon.

 

Okay, unexpected development here.

I was just offered a new position that would require me to take a hiatus from this, and I am probably going to take it.

I will get back to this if I can find a temporary solution, because I am about to lose access to my lathes. I can make no promises, and I will be on vacation next week (most likely) just so I don't lose it when switching jobs.

All activity is ceasing after today until further notice.

I can still mill stuff though in my garage, obviously ... but the knobs really need a lathe.

 

I did get pretty close to finishing V2.0, just needs the ring pinned, turned and engraved. Also need to finish the collar (it is on the fixture that i made for that).

 

Good news for you, sad news for peeps who wanted knobs. Glad we got my Ti out!

Grats Rick! Career change?

 

Never! I have been looking for a long time due to my long commute (67 miles one way), and I finally got a respectable offer on Tues. Had to go over the fine print of the benefits before I gave word, and they provided all of that 2 days ago.

Funny that this new place is like a 2 iron away from my old condo, but about 16mi from my house now. 4 day work week (been asking my employer for this a long time, to no avail), so once I get a lathe in the garage I can spend all day Friday doing this type of stuff.

 

Oh man... I have been thinking about that ss knob everytime I shift this new short shifter. Good luck with your new job and I hope I can get one sooner or later .

 

I did bring a few SS blanks home, so I can get it close to complete in the garage. If I can get it on the lathe before I leave, I will.