custom shifter knobs

[57chevyman]

hey... now that i have a nice new steering wheel..shiny reddish wood color.... i want to replace my round black floor shifter knob with something different. id like to get an exact match wood shifter knob...but not sure about that since the co that makes the steering wheel doesnt make shifter knobs.

anyone have ideas for me for shifter knobs? i do want to stick with something thats comfortable to hold. no beer tap shifters

[eagleuh1]

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

[eagleuh1]

Here
http://www.1954design.com/stovebolt.html

[57chevyman]

i only see two to choose from ?

[Clarance J]

57chevyman, You're asking for ideas for a matching shifter knob to your new steering wheel. You could make one from your craft store. They sell wooden balls that are 2" diameter. Very close to what you have now. I got mine for just 1 dollar. I cut apart the old shift knob (s10) for the threaded insert. Drilled the new ball the size of the insert and glued it in. For the finish find a matching stain of your wheel and then clear coat. I painted mine to match my steering wheel. Very easy. My knob cost less than 10 dollars and matches the interior. Yours might be a little more for the stain. And just a little I made it factor. And BTW, nice wheel.

Earl

[scmense]

Nice steering wheel, enjoyed your idea Earl, nice shifter plus it is satisfying doing it oneself.

[57chevyman]

That's a really cool idea! Not sure how close I can match it tho. I think I may give it a shot

[Clarance J]

Thanks 57chevyman. Part of the fun of any build is the search. Look at all the colors that the wood beds have taken. I'm sure you will find something close at the hardware store. Good luck any way you go.

Earl

[57chevyman]

this isn't round, but color looks close to me...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LEXUS-WOOD-G...1cf6fd&vxp=mtr

[xaircav]

Speed Dawgs shifter knobs. Many choices.

[57chevyman]

maybe a round chrome shifter knob?

[eagleuh1]

I like the make it myself idea. You should be able to get it pretty close to the wheel color and shine. Try some hand rubbed oil to get the shine.

[57chevyman]

Well I found the wood knobs at the craft store ! I need to get a 1/2 - 13 threaded insert from Home Depot . Min wax makes a one step stain-polyurethane ... Looks like natural cherry gloss is a close match.... May have to add more clear at the end for the shine I'm looking for.

[57chevyman]

I got two, figuring I can sell one on eBay . And if I sell one , I'm gonna buy a case of wood balls and set up shop LOL

[mr48chev]

I want to see how that comes out.

[57chevyman]

I will post pics . I got a 4" bolt to use as a handle as I work on it. The store I went to had no threaded inserts , so maybe tomorrow .

[Clarance J]

Yep, That's what they look like. You could use a 1/2-13 nut. Maybe drill a hole the size of the flats on the nut and then use a vice to press it in. I drilled small holes and filled them up with super glue. If the nut is too big grind it down to fit the drill hole. There are no instructions on how to do this. Its whatever works for you. It will look great when finished.

Earl

[57chevyman]

home depot had no threaded inserts bigger than 1/4". they call them "insert nuts". i got a 1/2-13 rod coupler for $1.30 which ill probably use. for my first try at the shifter knob, i just drilled 1/2" hole and screwed the wood ball into a bolt and got started. of course after i finished the first coat, the directions say to wait 6 hours for the next coat. heres some pics......i kinda dipped the ball into the stain like a candy apple..and it was looking great...but directions say to start with a thin coat, so i wiped it down with a paper towel . anyone want to chime in on what i have to do to achieve the deep wet shine? more coats of this? one more coat and then spray with clear?

[iowaboynca]

I think you'd be safe with one more coat of stain, you could probably go a little heavier. let it dry and then a light sand. I usually use something in the 200 grit range. Looking at the depth you want, i think you'll need 2-3 coats clear. Before the last coat of clear, bump up the grit to a 300-400.

its looking good so far, and i think you'll be happy with the results!

(keep in mind the same techniques work if you want to replace your bedwood too!)

[57chevyman]

I did another coat. Thicker this time. If it dries the way it looks now, it's already pretty darn good Yeah I bought the larger can so I have it for bed wood .
So, I'll see how this looks tonight when it's dry.... You think I should lightly sand and do 2-3 coats of clear either way ? What brand of clear do you recommend?

[57chevyman]

Here's what it looks like now . That's a reflection , not a screw up lol

[iowaboynca]

looking good! I usually use Minwax Polyurethane (in my TrueValue and Big Box Stores). When it comes time to the bed wood, think marine grade/heavy duty outdoor stuff.
The reason to sand is to knock down the slight peaks and ridges in wood as the clear "flows" around them. If the knob feels good, no need to sand.

congratz on solid work!

[57chevyman]

Thank you sir
Funny I'm having a hard time finding the 1/2-13 threaded insert . All the local places have it but not as big as 1/2". On the internet in seeing what I need cheap , but like $12 shipping for one nut. Any help would be appreciated .

[57chevyman]

As it's drying , it's losing the shine on the top of the knob. Should I sand and put more stain/poly combo, or sand and just do clear next ?

[iowaboynca]

stain adds the color, clear adds the depth/gloss. So if you want the shade darker, one more coat of stain. if like you like the shade, time to clear.