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Making my own custom shift knob ...

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wquiles:
My prior posts were about machining flashlights, so today I have something different.  Instead of buying a replacement shift knob for my car, I decided to try make one on my own.

I actually started by creating a way to hold the Aluminum I would use for the shift knob, so I created a short shift rod.  I started by measuring the original one:





Here I am making the copy.  I am using 12L14 "leaded" steel:







Once I got the shape right, I started threading (10-1.5mm):



Checked the pitch against the tap after the first pass just to make sure!:



And after a "few" pases I had a good fit:







This material threads great!.  Close-up:



My threading tools all use sharp carbide inserts.  This one in particular is a Kennametal tool:













OK, enough of the tool porn ...

Once I cut the screw to length, it looks like this:



And after Brownells "blackening" solution:



I then started with a round piece of 6160 Al, about 2" in dia, and about 4" long:



After the piece was faced, I drill and tapped it:





I then started to give it shape (I supported from tailstock end most of the time):





Once the shape was roughed out, I then started to do very light cuts using the compound:





















And then it was done:







Before:



After:







Will

DaveH:
Will,

A very good post, very informative. :clap:

I thought your photography was excellent  :clap: :clap: :clap:

The gear knob was very well made  :thumbup:


DaveH

Brass_Machine:
Very nice journey! Great pictures too... the end result looks very nice. What kind of car?

Eric

wquiles:
Thank you guys.  It is a 2011 Honda Civic Si, 4-door.

Trion:
Nicely shown making of the gearknob. And boy do you have a lot of fancy lathe tooling :drool:

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