MadModder

The Craftmans Shop => New from Old => Topic started by: rleete on July 25, 2010, 09:02:34 AM

Title: New shift knob
Post by: rleete on July 25, 2010, 09:02:34 AM

I made this today - in the basement, as it's far too humid to work outside.

I started with a 2" trailer ball; old, rusty and beat up.  Sorry, no pics.  Suffice to say it had seen it's share of abuse.  Cut off the flange and nut, then chucked it in the lathe.  Using files, I cleaned up the outside.  Then, I drilled, bored (my first boring job!) and tapped the hole in the end.  That got me to the stage shown in the first pic.  Had to take about .090" off to clean it up.

Next, I made the aluminum mandrel, and mounted the ball on that.  Using a carbide bit, I slowly took off the neck and rounded it to match.  I made an adapter (polypro) to match the shifter in the car.  Then I sanded.  And sanded.  And sanded some more.  Finally, a bit of a polish on the buffing wheel.  Hard to tell, but it's nearly a mirror finish.

(http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh381/rleete/Shift%20Knobs/Filedsmall.jpg)

(http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh381/rleete/Shift%20Knobs/DSCF0254a.jpg)

(http://i545.photobucket.com/albums/hh381/rleete/Shift%20Knobs/Flashedknobsmall.jpg)


Weighs in at 15.6 oz with the adapter.  I have considered cold bluing to help prevent rust, but I'm not sure that will hold up eiter.  The boss said I could nickel flash coat it at work.  For now, a bit of polish ought to keep it looking nice.  I'm going to give it a go this evening, and see how I like it.

Title: Re: New shift knob
Post by: Baldrocker on July 25, 2010, 05:20:27 PM

Way to go man
br

Title: Re: New shift knob
Post by: Bernd on July 25, 2010, 09:14:09 PM

Geessssss Rog. Finally a project from you.  :D

Very nice. Might want to spray it with laqcure to keep it from rusting in our high humidity around here.  :lol:

Bernd

Title: Re: New shift knob
Post by: Stilldrillin on July 26, 2010, 02:13:12 AM

That`s beautiful Rog!  :clap:

David D

Title: Re: New shift knob
Post by: Brass_Machine on July 26, 2010, 10:58:11 AM

Nice! What's it going in??

Eric

Title: Re: New shift knob
Post by: andreas on July 26, 2010, 11:49:44 AM

I believe that chrome or nickel plating is best, while hand acid and/or oil will remove everything else :smart:

Andreas

Title: Re: New shift knob
Post by: rleete on September 01, 2010, 09:18:42 AM

Sorry, I lost this thread for a bit.

Car is a 1994 Mazda Miata.  I nickel plated it at work, and the finish has held up quite well so far.

The added weight makes it really nice to shift.  A bit of spitited driving around Letchworth State Park proved it's worth.