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:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4979.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4981.JPG)
Here I am making the copy. I am using 12L14 "leaded" steel:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4976.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4978.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4983.JPG)
Once I got the shape right, I started threading (10-1.5mm):
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4985.JPG)
Checked the pitch against the tap after the first pass just to make sure!:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4986.JPG)
And after a "few" pases I had a good fit:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4987.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4988.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4991.JPG)
This material threads great!. Close-up:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Tools3/DSCF4992_c.JPG)
My threading tools all use sharp carbide inserts. This one in particular is a Kennametal tool:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Tools3/DSCF5022.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Tools3/DSCF5023.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Tools3/DSCF5024.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Tools3/DSCF5028.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Tools3/DSCF5025_c.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Tools3/DSCF5027_c.JPG)
OK, enough of the tool porn ...
Once I cut the screw to length, it looks like this:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4994.JPG)
And after Brownells "blackening" solution:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF4997.JPG)
I then started with a round piece of 6160 Al, about 2" in dia, and about 4" long:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5002.JPG)
After the piece was faced, I drill and tapped it:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5003.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5004.JPG)
I then started to give it shape (I supported from tailstock end most of the time):
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5010.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5011.JPG)
Once the shape was roughed out, I then started to do very light cuts using the compound:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5076.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5077.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5078.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5079.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5080.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5081.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5082.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5083.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5085.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5089.JPG)
And then it was done:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5090.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5092.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5093.JPG)
Before:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/CivicSi/DSCF4784.JPG)
After:
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5094.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5095.JPG)
![](http://m3coupe.com/Honda/ShiftKnob/DSCF5096.JPG)
Will