Making Custom Shift Knobs

[jhjacobs]

I'm sure that a number of you have seen my unique and possibly tasteless Bavarian flag motif shift knob. While not everyone's taste, I am rather fond of it because of the effort required to make it. Over the years I have made quite a few shift knobs for friends and I thought I should share a couple of works in progress.

As a reminder, my personal shifter:

A close view:

An Ebony knob project - starts with a block then cut to a blank:

An Amboyna burl block for a second project:

The Amboyna burl cut to rough blank:

Making a "rock maple" mounting plate:

Ready to cut mounting plate:

Plate cut and ready to glue in blank:

Ebony blank in glue up:

Amboyna burl getting ready for first "rough in" spin:

Spinning:

Amboyne burl front side after rough in:

And the back side:

Amboyna burl blank with a shot of clear coat:

A false start - this wood is really bright orange! - too orange even for an orange lover!
[Broken External Image]:http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa208/jhjacobs/Orange/OrangeKnob1.jpg

It took a different direction rather than being wasted:

Another angle:

Another close up:

The orange (Padouk) goblet still needs a few coats of finish and it will then be separated from the base plate.

I'll post more progress shots as these shift knobs take form. Hopefully I won't make any un-recoverable errors along the way!

 

[velocewest]

JJ, personal preferences about color/design aside -- I love the craftsmanship of your turned knobs!

 

[Orangener]

Man, i´m so curios how the black shiftknob look like when its finished! :shock:

 

[jhjacobs]

Progress continues.

The ebony knob starts taking shape:

Getting fitted for emblem:

Almost right (I will use a new emblem - this is scrap for fitting):

Rough shaping:

Final Shaping - targeting "Apina" style:

Sanded and buffed:

Ready for finish"

First finish coat applied - clear coat!:

The burl getting glued up on based plate:

More to follow.

 

[Orangener]

Bist denn du deppat, der schaut jo ur leiwond aus !:shock:

For all of you, they dont understand what i wrote up above, i´m really, really impressed . The result is exactly what i dreamed about. Perfect ! Great !
Thank you so much John!

"Spezialisten leisten einfach mehr......."

 

[psychrunner]

Those knobs are looking great!! Love the color of the burl.
Randy

 

[dr.lazzaroni]

I'm sure that a number of you have seen my unique and possibly tasteless Bavarian flag motif shift knob. While not everyone's taste, I am rather fond of it because of the effort required to make it.

You call that tasteless? THIS is a tasteless shift knob! I picked up the car in Sweden before X-mas, and as you can see it's got the "works". Wunderbaum (air freshener) hanging from the mirror, buckets of vinyl renewer having been applied on the plastic surfaces and a lot of other tasteless "improvements" done by the former owner. :roll: Gonna rip it apart and reinstate pride and glory.

 

[Stan]

Love that goblet shift knob but wonder if it will hold up under spirited driving!

 

[jhjacobs]

Love that goblet shift knob but wonder if it will hold up under spirited driving!

Don't be silly, thats for drinking and driving! Now I need to figure out how to make a custom goblet holder - I could possibly mount it to the parking brake! 8)

 

[velocewest]

Doc Laz -- I hope the prior owner of that car was a woman! :shock: :lol:

 

[jhjacobs]

Doc Laz -- I hope the prior owner of that car was a woman!

I recommend driving gloves with that thing!

If you cut a section out of your guibo that shifter should do the trick at about 60mph in 3rd! :twisted:

 

[Orangener]

My suggestion for a set of seats that fit to this shifting knob:

 

[jhjacobs]

Progress continues:

Ready to bore hole for threaded insert.

Just about there:

Waiting for the glue to dry:

The burl knob is taking shape; looking for the best grain:

The un-knob is finished too:

 

[psychrunner]

wow!

John, your work is exquisite. The burl knob is spectaclular.
Randy

 

[Orangener]

Außergewöhnlich ! GREAT !

 

[Antar]

Wood Projects

I have seen JJ's wood shop and his pieces. The pictures don't do either shop or his works the justice they deserve. They definitely some nice pieces. I only wish I had the expertise, patience and time that it takes to see these wood projects through.

-Antar

 

[jhjacobs]

After several weeks out of the wood shop I went back to work this morning.

The burl knob is now taking coats of finish:

 

[psychrunner]

WOW

John,
That is one fine shift knob. I love the color.
Randy

 

[jhjacobs]

This is the final installment to this pictorial series. With Psychrunner's coupe on the road I had to finish up the last knob. It is all coated, drilled, and insert installed - ready for the road! I only wish I could photograph this stuff better:

 

[Orangener]

Thats handicraft !
Very nice, congratulations JJ ! :wink: