body and interior Custom/Homemade Shift Knobs

['76mintgrün'02]

Today I made use of the tap I bought online, to install this custom shifter knob.

It is a little crude, but merely a first attempt at trying something different.

I have to say I really like the way it feels, being quite heavy and a couple inches taller.

The way it looks makes me smile.

I tapped a piece of half inch copper pipe and soldered that into a coupler, which is a friction fit on the rusty shank of the black porcelain knob.  (or could it be glass?)

 

I started this thread, because I have a couple of other antique door knobs I want to install, but they will require a bit of lathe work to make them fit.

This one could use some work, to dress it up a bit, but it is fine/fun for now.

 

 

Edited June 30, 2016 by '76Mintgrun'02
(Title changed from Door Knob/Shift Knob)

[LB72]

Very cool! I've been wanting to do the same thing. I have a glass door knob that I want to make into a shift knob.

[theNomad]

So did you thread the steel shift lever? Took the rubber insulated extension off? 

 

['76mintgrün'02]

Ha!  that is exactly the next one I intend to do, except mine is much older looking.  

 

 

I think I have a plan for mounting it.  

Mine has the square shaft rusted in place, so I will tap (the corners of) it and screw it into a brass adaptor, with the 15mm threads in the other end.  I suppose I should use metric threads for both ends of the adaptor....

 

I also think this old brass one might be fun... especially the side with the button.  I want to add more brass and copper bits to my car.  Especially copper.  It will go nicely with the Mint.

 

These add length and weight to the lever, but I like that.  I intend to add half an inch to the shaft, below the ball of an e21 shifter (because I have it), after I cut threads in the top (like Kaptanoglu just did/illustrated).  I think the added length/leverage will work nicely with the shortened throw.

 

Nomad: As you can see in that photo above, the plastic threaded insert had come loose in my rubber knob.  It also stuck out the bottom about a quarter of an inch.  That sucked, feeling the sharp plastic collar hanging down.  I recently/finally trimmed that off and it feels muuuch better.  It is all in the details, as they say.

 

The shift lever is already threaded with 15mm x 1.5 threads.  I got a tap on eBay recently, when this seller accepted my $12 ( w/free shipping ) offer

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151659480686?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

I will likely pick up the Chinese die as well, they can be had for $11 to my door.

 

Now I am that much more inspired.  Thank you both for your input.  

 

Tom

[zinz]

So... you could use the old one in last picture with the push-button... and wire it to a front brake, line lock.  Ya know, for doing a Pro Street-style burn out...the kind 2002s are known for 

 

Ed

 

 

Edited June 24, 2016 by zinz

['76mintgrün'02]

I like the way you think Ed!

 

Didn't Freedo already do that ?  

 

He has posted some awesome burn out videos.

 

My tires may have chirped once... it helps that they are old.

 

I was  trying to think of a clever use for the button.

I'd say you nailed it.

 

 

[John_in_VA]

2 hours ago, zinz said:

So... you could use the old one in last picture with the push-button... and wire it to a front brake, line lock.  Ya know, for doing a Pro Street-style burn out...the kind 2002s are known for 

 

I thought that knob could provide locking for anti-theft purposes!

['76mintgrün'02]

Nice!

Or take the button out and mount a shift light in its place?

 

I found myself test fitting that tap today

my plumbing department offered a few options

I made an adaptor, up to half inch NPT

which opens up a world of possibilities.

Any plumbers on the FAQ?

 

I have decided I like the original knob enough to tidy it up;

made it fit in a little farther and broke the sharp edges
 

[roadhog0]

I'm not sure if I laughed hard enough at the shower head/garden sprayer (not sure). That is fantastic! I am half tempted to run that in my car at shows just to see peoples reactions!

['76mintgrün'02]

Did you notice the retractable grippy-nubs?

I like the adjustable angle on that one as well.

 

I sure like my new tap.

$12 well spent.

 

edit -- just offered $8 for the corresponding die on eBay, $10.33 BIN (frugal)

editttt--- they accepted my offer and it is on the way... from the other side of the planet.

got it here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221390886834

Edited June 25, 2016 by '76Mintgrun'02

[Bavarian Deuce]

Speaking of taps.......Beer anyone. On those with buttons, thinking 007

 

[TobyB]

Bwahahahah!  And can you plumb the shower head so it really works????

 

It's only a matter of time until y'all get to this, below, ya know...

 

t

 

['76mintgrün'02]

13 hours ago, TobyB said:

It's only a matter of time until y'all get to this, below, ya know...

I already have that in my Suburban  (is the one in your photo an automatic?)

It is hard to predict where all this is going...

 

14 hours ago, laharbimmer said:

Speaking of taps...

Taps, you say?

 

Here's one for Nathan

Brass sure does cut beautifully. (about a minute to go from fixture, to shifter)

 

 

Edited June 25, 2016 by '76Mintgrun'02

[roadhog0]

4 hours ago, '76Mintgrun'02 said:

 

 

Here's one for Nathan

(brass sure does cut beautifully)

 

 

Maybe I should do something like this in my truck. Or better yet the '46 Chevy!!! Oh my yes!

['76mintgrün'02]

Okay, so no plumbers.

 

Golfers?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I should have probably just stopped with the door knob.

The first three went really fast.

The golf club was definitely the hardest.

That spring-steel shank is not easy to drill out.

The club was tough to clamp down.

Copper cap was bedded in JB Kwick prior to tapping.
 

The wood inside the hole was hardened with CA glue.

To strengthen the threads.

Then the tap run in again.

This is the 5-speed version... I'm afraid I got ahead of myself.  I'll save this one for after the conversion.

 

better make a 4-speed club-knob tomorrow.