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

OP has been pretty clear about his intent and desire to do this purely on his terms. Or at least that's my impression. I think the best thing we can do is honor that preference and not stress him out about it. If we get lucky, maybe he finishes this batch and gets the itch in the fall to do another one. Or maybe we are waiting 5 years. The uncertainty and wait are part of the fun. If you want something right now, that's what Amazon is for

 

Just to expand on this for you, orders for all of 2021 have already been placed. There may be another opportunity next year.

 

Yep. Right now I am only committed to those that ordered 2 weeks ago. There is a good chance I will do another batch next spring, but I can't promise it. I'm never doing a waitlist again, so you just have to follow the thread and drop in for the details sometime after the new year.

 

Thanks for the input/update, definitely wasn't trying to rush anyone or seem pushy (apologies for coming off that way) just wasn't clear on how to "get on a/the list" in the future.

I will be standing by for any future opportunity.

 

No worries, that's my fault because I unlinked the information posts that I had in the OP when this batch closed. At this point, that information is buried probably about 10 pages ago, so not easy to find. I'll have to put something in the OP with a little more detail.

 

Dave, you have a very refreshing take on this process! Craftsmanship can't be rushed!

 

Damn. Missed it. Carry on

 

Update #2. Still waiting on the Stainless and remaining brass, but I do have tracking and it'll be here on Thursday. Ugh, been fighting with these people pretty hard, but I'm not the only one in this position.

https://www.meps.co.uk/gb/en/news/u...CqN1x5WAF61_f-sFeniFeiMzV8mI5yWYbyTYyJyFBWV4M

 

Looking good! I don't see any Ti radio knobs in there, though... haha!

Unfortunately, it seems like many raw material prices and lead times are hitting the fan now. Thanks a lot global pandemic. I design a lot of high current bus bars at work and typically spec AL 1100-O, but it's been so scarce that we had to re-certify everything using 6061-T6 since it's basically the only aluminum our suppliers can get. It works, I just had to live with the 20% increase in resistivity (i.e. more heat that I have to deal with).

 

It's crazy. I usually get my aluminum from Xometry supplies, and luckily I made a huge order back in early Jan because they just changed their whole structure. The word is, they are making even more changes soon and will fall pretty much in line with everyone else by the time they are done. It was great while it lasted, I didn't even need a band saw for a while ... they would saw-cut everything for basically free. Huge time saver for me, but now I will probably have to upgrade my saw.

In the FB pages for the equipment manufacturers that I purchased machines from (or that I may buy from in the future), many consumers complaining nothing is or has been in stock for months. Long waits on new machines and getting replacement parts is a problem as well.

The Stainless and brass was ordered from Midwest Steel and Aluminum, they extended lead time from 5 business days to 10 upfront ... okay not a problem. I contacted after that for an update, got an empty promise, then asked for a refund 5 more business days later. Their "4D chess move" was to create a UPS label and let it sit for 4 more business days to make it appear that it shipped. I called them out on it to see if it was a UPS error, and they acted like it never happened. Last time I deal with them. They have been reliably slow in the past, but this is unforgivable at nearly 1 month after I ordered. Don't even care about that, honestly ... it was the shit customer service and lies. For $40 more bucks I would have had it 3 weeks ago from online metals, but can only buy from them during their monthly 20% off "sale".

The whole situation just annoys me, obviously ... but not as annoyed as @TeecoTaco for not having Ti radio knobs.

 

Will there be a Monday update? Would love to see a video link of the fabrication process if any exist.

 

I, too, would love to see video. I’m clueless about all any of this happens, so it’s fun learning.

 

There are some vids in this thread of Rick doing his thing on previous knobs batches.


He was also kind enough to recommend This Old Tony and AvE on YouTube. Some of the best content on the site, IMHO. From there, you can peek at other machinists that they mention. I learned a lot and had many good laughs.

 

I might be able to post something tonight. Not a productive week as the family took a hit this past week, lost a cousin from a heart attack. Pretty crazy because he was my age, totally unexpected for a guy with his high level of fitness. The funeral was yesterday, so I was out late drinking with the fam. I've done enough drunk posting in here over the years, lol ... so I try to steer clear.

THAT, and was rear ended with thankfully what looks to be minor damage to my truck.

I did get the stainless and brass though, and working on catching those materials up with the others.

As far as videos, I used to have more on my IG but I must have deleted them when trimming down my history.

Here is one. All of this stuff is like breathing to me at this point, so if you let me know what you want to see I will awkwardly try to get a video with my phone. My production level and on-camera persona are pretty far from TOT and AvE, but I will try.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4V5WiAApW0/

 

Sorry to hear all of that. Our local community lost a guy last week in his prime as well, sub 50 and more fit than me. One day here, the next day gone. Life can still throw curveballs sometimes.

Cheers.

 

Gregg was literally on the mat wrestling when he went down. He wrestled in HS and then got a scholarship to college, and did pretty well from that I hear. He was also a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and probably awesome at anything related to grappling .. but he would never tell you that himself. Pure craziness and we buried both of his parents this past Sept. They both went on the same week (COVID). Not a great year for us, but I think we're all going to put more effort in seeing each other now. Everyone always thinking there's plenty of time, but clearly, it is just an illusion. I appreciate the kind words!

 

Sorry to hear that. Life is cruel.

Enjoy what you can!

 

It certainly is. The older I get the more I appreciate small victories and relatively long periods of time that are free of catastrophe. I am slowly making a shift from worrying about everything imaginable ... to general appreciation. I guess this just comes with age for all of us (hopefully).

 

Definitely an age thing.

Those times when life is pelting you with lemons just sucks.