custom shifter knobs

[57chevyman]

thanks for the help.. i added a little more stain. even tho this product says it has the polyeurathane mixed in, im pretty sure i need to clear it tomorrow. would you say that i should sand with 200 grit before the clear, and in between clear coats? im not good at this, and i always seem to screw it up somehow!

[iowaboynca]

yes that should be the case, that will help smooth it out.

On a side note, if you do the second one, sand it out before stain, then sand in between the clear coats and it will come out smooth like a cue ball.

[57chevyman]

i found what i need on ebay... 1/2-13 internal threads and four tabs that bend down to lock the insert in place.

[57chevyman]

or would a t-nut be better?

t-nuts are cheaper than the threaded inserts... four of these for the price of one of the inserts...

[57chevyman]

This is what it looks like now with 4 coats of the stain/polyeurethane combo...
it really looks good. its smooth all the way around.
im asking those with knowledge in wood finishing, because i have none...

at this point do i

1. call it done

2. add a couple of coats of clear

3. sand this with 200 grit and then do the clear

it looks so good now, im afraid to touch it with sandpaper and screw it up.

[57chevyman]

I couldn't wait . Here it is mocked up inside the truck . I can't really install it until I get the threaded insert.... But check this out

[iowaboynca]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

This is what it looks like now with 4 coats of the stain/polyeurethane combo...
it really looks good. its smooth all the way around.
im asking those with knowledge in wood finishing, because i have none...

at this point do i

1. call it done

2. add a couple of coats of clear

3. sand this with 200 grit and then do the clear

it looks so good now, im afraid to touch it with sandpaper and screw it up.

If you're happy with it, then you are done!

[Kim57]

Looks real good.
Kim

[57chevyman]

I'm gonna call it done. Just need to figure out the threaded part. I just realized , the auto parts store probably sells adapter kits for shifters .

[57chevyman]

Found this at harbor freight for 2 bucks. This will work

[57chevyman]

Damn. My old shifter knob screws on perfectly to my 1/2-13 bolt . These things that I just bough also thread perfectly onto the bolt. But it slips on right over the threads on my shifter . So if my shifter threads are smaller than 1/2" I'm gonna try a 3/8 insert

[OrrieG]

Sealant and a little push always worked for me! We don't need no stinking adaptors.....

[57chevyman]

with another trip to the hardware store with my original shifter knob, i realized that the threads are 7/16-14 , not 1/2-13
of course 7/16 is an odd size for the hardware store...more of an automotive size. yeah no kidding, its for my shifter LOL. looks like i may have to order 7/16-14 inserts on ebay..
nothing is ever easy . but my nice shifter knob will be worth it in the end. i may make a few of them and see if i can make a few bucks selling them on ebay, CL

so far ive found a 16mm to 7/16-14 shifter adapter for $11 delivered
or ten of the 7/16-14 threaded inserts with four locking tabs for $27 delivered

[57chevyman]

Good lord this shifter is making me nuts. The threads are bigger than 7/16, but smaller than 1/2. Is it metric 12mm?
My black plastic shifter knob is happy screwing onto all different sizes 1/2, 7/16, 12mm, and my shifter handle, but I've yet to find something that will screw on to my shifter! Only thing I didn't try yet is a 12mm

[57chevyman]

I think the threads are 1/2-13 after all..... In this pic , the large 1/2-13 rod coupler screws onto the shifter handle as it should. The 7/16-14 nut is too small . The 1/2-13 "thread repair insert" on left slides right onto the shifter over the threads

[tinyjaime]

Originally Posted by eagleuh1

Check the stove bolt forums. There's a guy that makes custom knobs, very nice quality too. Jim

I bought one and the quality is outstanding, however the shifter knob meant more than just screwing on a knob. I wanted it because I kept the original 235 "stovebolt" but up graded the transmission from the sm420 to a t5. I modified the SM420 shifter to work on the T5 and installed a spacer to make the throw a short one vrs the long throw. Next week I will have the shifter powder coated and I am done.

Yes they come in 2 colors and are very comfortable.

If you make one I guess it will be a lot cheaper and mean something to you too.

Maybe if your truck is a V8 you might not want the stovebolt knob

BTW what your doing so far looks great it matches the steering wheel perfect

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by tinyjaime

BTW what your doing so far looks great it matches the steering wheel perfect

Thank you!

[57chevyman]

didnt expect to have such a hard time figuring out what threads my shifter has. and on top of that, every store that sells brass inserts for wood only go up to 3/8".
Since the 1/2-13 rod coupler screws on to my shifter tightly, im going with that. i just ordered some threaded inserts with the four locking tabs.

[57chevyman]

Finally done with the shifter knob! i got the 1/2-13 threaded inserts so i have nice metal threads in the knob.

[Kim57]

Looks real nice.
Kim

[iowaboynca]

Lookin' good!