Considering a run of shifter knobs, I've not done one in years |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
Considering a run of shifter knobs, I've not done one in years |
VaccaRabite |
Jan 29 2024, 01:14 PM
Post
#1
|
En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,446 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
Hey all, I'm considering a run of 917 style shifter knobs, which I've not done in about 5 years.
These would be different from the ones I have made in the past. I bought a bit of European birch plywood, and I plan to make them from that. The shipping cost more the then lumber, and the lumber wasn't cheap. In the past I have always used either maple and mahogany or maple and dark walnut for these knobs. And then finished them with several oats of oil and wax. This time around they would be very (hopefully very very) similar to the knobs made by the Porsche race teams for their 917 cars. Right wood. Right finish. Wrong car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) The knobs were known as "balsa" shift knobs, but were actually made from birch ply and glued onto the shifter rod. My plan is to turn and smooth them, and fit them with the delrin inserts I make (instead of glueing the knob to your shift rod). But otherwise they will be very much like the originals - no finish save the oils from your hands. The wood is a furniture grade euro ply - its not the rough crap from the local home depot. I've not got the wood yet, and I need to order more delrin rod for the inserts. But before I do that, is there even any interest in this, or am I the only one that thinks its a cool idea? As far as I know, no-one else is doing these this way, everyone is making them similar to how I was doing it, though I've yet to see someone making the inserts I developed for use with the stock crush rings. These would definitely be a little more racey and raw. I don't know, maybe I'm the only one that thinks it would be cool. I should also point out, these could also be finished in oil and wax for a bit of refinement and would likely look awesome. But I kinda want to make them as close to the actual deal as I can this time, and see how it goes. Let me know what you think. And I'll make up a test knob when the wood gets to me. Zach |
rick 918-S |
Jan 31 2024, 06:49 AM
Post
#2
|
Hey nice rack! -Celette Group: Members Posts: 20,464 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Now in Superior WI Member No.: 43 Region Association: Northstar Region |
For those that weren't around or don't remember what these cool knobs and pens looked like (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif) |
VaccaRabite |
Jan 31 2024, 08:45 AM
Post
#3
|
En Garde! Group: Admin Posts: 13,446 Joined: 15-December 03 From: Dallastown, PA Member No.: 1,435 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
For those that weren't around or don't remember what these cool knobs and pens looked like (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif) The first knob I ever made. Literally turned on a drill press using files and sandpaper because I did not have a lathe yet. 15ish years ago... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-1435-1706712325.1.jpg) I would go on to make several hundred of these with only minor changes. My drill press, reloading press, several wine stoppers, etc all have these knobs on them that I considered seconds and refused to sell, but were still too nice to not use. This particular knob lives on a shelf in my wood shop to remind me where I started. But this is very different from what I'm going to make. These were the maple and mahogany knobs. I'll get pics of what the new ones will look like in a bit when I get the wood in. Since we were talking about the Dymondwood... (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/live.staticflickr.com-1435-1706712326.2.jpg) The stuff was a dream to work with. This was my favorite of the knobs I made with it, and I still have it, though it ended up cracking badly over the couple weeks that I had it on my car. Broke my heart as I had people in the Subaru crowd lining up to get them and I had to pull the plug on the whole operation due to the UV issue. Zach |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 23rd May 2024 - 01:32 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |