MY350Z.COM - Nissan 350Z and 370Z Forum Discussion

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-   -   DIY shift knob... (https://my350z.com/forum/body-interior-exterior-and-lighting-diy/607684-diy-shift-knob.html)

dboyzalter 11-11-2015 04:35 PM

DIY shift knob...
 
Ok so I realize most people will not have all this stuff but you can used the info to make anything you want into a knobby and I figured I would stop blowing up the official shift knob thread so with that intro here we go...

Step one decide you want to make your own shift knob... Come up with an idea and go with it.

You will need an idea a drill some glue and some nuts:thumbup: also might need to be a little nuts.

I started with getting some 10x1.25 flange nuts and the matching bolt to go with it. You can find this at the home dumpster for about 72 pennies

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....e04f8780e0.jpg

If you dont have a manual 350z I dont know what size you need... Will need to figure that out on your own.

Then figure out what you want to use for your knob... Im going to make a bunch of different ones. Some wood some acrylic... You need to drill a hole. (5/8ths inch) If you want the flange to sit on the outside you wont need the big bit, if you want the nut countersunk you will need to use 2 bits... 5/8ths and bigger then 5/8ths

If you have a drill press and some nice forstner bits that would be ideal... If you just have a drill and some garbage erwin bits just try to make your holes straight.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....b234c84c51.jpg

So you drill your hole and then you gotta glue that nut into the hole... I tried using silicone and it was a great failure... Im now using original gorilla glue, I also got gorilla epoxy... They should both do the trick. ( they dont both do the trick... Use gorilla epoxy, much stronger)


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....8b748530a2.jpg

Also making one with some scrap pieces I had to glue together... For that you glue the wood together and clamp like you normally would..


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....dfb0b0d50f.jpg

Ok at this point I might have lost you so if you just have a big plastic dildo you should have got it figured out by now. Drill hole in dildo glue in nut put in car... If your still with me we will continue...

dboyzalter 11-11-2015 04:48 PM

So now that we have our nuts installed what are we going to do with this mess...

Gotta set up the mini for knob detail, if you have one you probably can figure it out... But this is how mine looks for starting the project.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....751e37ee7d.jpg

I got a few different bolts for the different offsets of the nuts, had to use a piece of 1/4 inch plywood with a large hole drilled in it. (For the bolt head to fit into) then a piece of hardwood with a hole the exact size of the bolt. The hole needs to be damn near perfectly centered in the backer plate.

I managed to get a centered hole by using the drill bit mounted on a screwdriver handle and just turned on the lathe mark the center with a pencil then hold the bit to the wood drilling the hole.. (probably confusing if you have never used a lathe)


Spin your project make it look the way you want.. Sand stain poly whatever make it look as good as you can... Be impressed with yourself for making something..


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....5be76888de.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....81de95ffc5.jpg

Yes I know my interior isn't mint

travlee 11-11-2015 04:56 PM

in for finished result

KingBaby 11-11-2015 07:11 PM

Standingby

MicVelo 11-11-2015 07:17 PM


Originally Posted by dboyzalter (Post 10679689)
So now that we have our nuts installed what are we going to do with this mess...

Gotta set up the mini for knob detail, if you have one you probably can figure it out... But this is how mine looks for starting the project.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....751e37ee7d.jpg

I got a few different bolts for the different offsets of the nuts, had to use a piece of 1/4 inch plywood with a large hole drilled in it. (For the bolt head to fit into) then a piece of hardwood with a hole the exact size of the bolt. The hole needs to be damn near perfectly centered in the backer plate.

I managed to get a centered hole by using the drill bit mounted on a screwdriver handle and just turned on the lathe mark the center with a pencil then hold the bit to the wood drilling the hole.. (probably confusing if you have never used a lathe)

Ok that's as far as im at for now... Wish me luck.

So whatcher saying is you got wood to shift by yourself? :rolleyes:

Good luck, DBA, looks interesting. Although after debating debating debating.... I find NOTHING appeals to me like the stock unit (and now that it's completed with the metal shift pattern insert, it's PERFECT for me!!)

dboyzalter 11-12-2015 11:51 AM


Originally Posted by MicVelo (Post 10679818)
So whatcher saying is you got wood to shift by yourself? :rolleyes:

Good luck, DBA, looks interesting. Although after debating debating debating.... I find NOTHING appeals to me like the stock unit (and now that it's completed with the metal shift pattern insert, it's PERFECT for me!!)


Awwww come on this first round has your name all over them... They are going to be small cylinder type knobs perfect for little hands...

I was going to ship them to California so you could write up a proper review and everything...

Can't send one to Trav he needs some special American nuts.

I do have a bunch of ideas hopefully I'll stay motivated to finish them all... They are not all wood... But this is the first round and a bit of an experimental phase.

HRMoneyPit 11-12-2015 12:54 PM

I'm definitely interested too


I also agree the stock shifter is great. It has a good weight and feel, I want to change it up but not sure how I feel about a non-weighted

dboyzalter 11-12-2015 02:43 PM

Ok so the gorilla glue on the acrylic didnt work out so great. Broke off rather quickly on the lathe.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....356a1c1be9.jpg

The wood is working but also came out after a bit.. Guess I need to use the other side support until its at least rounded... Still working but here is whats going down.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....44925419b5.jpg


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....fc350f37b7.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....38d56c4e0d.jpg

Hopefully the cherry one will work out.

MatthewBouchard 11-12-2015 03:14 PM


Originally Posted by dboyzalter (Post 10679682)
Ok at this point I might have lost you so if you just have a big plastic dildo you should have got it figured out by now. Drill hole in dildo glue in nut put in car... If your still with me we will continue...

Maybe My gf will stop complaining that I spend more money on the z than her :rolleyes: .

In for finished product.

HRMoneyPit 11-12-2015 03:29 PM

This looks fun

dboyzalter 11-12-2015 04:08 PM

Ok first try has finished in no great success. The nuts are not appreciating the shock of a chisel turning a square into a cylinder... Going to regroup next week and try a new glue..


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....0c989ef166.jpg

And hopefully that will actually hold...

My belt sander burnt the **** out of the tip but here is what I managed to get out of my first attempt.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....95f2988e25.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....2592caf9a1.jpg

Go easy on me I haven't touched the lathe in 6+ years... Ill give it another shot next week with the epoxy.

HRMoneyPit 11-12-2015 05:18 PM

So what do you put on them to make them nice and shinny?

dboyzalter 11-12-2015 05:32 PM


Originally Posted by HRMoneyPit (Post 10680458)
So what do you put on them to make them nice and shinny?

It needs a bunch of layers of polyurethane and a lot of sanding before it will be shinny... Here is a cup and a oil lamp I made years ago that actually got finished.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....a1e948a0eb.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....8e8f5ea82d.jpg

travlee 11-12-2015 05:44 PM


Originally Posted by dboyzalter (Post 10680274)
Awwww come on this first round has your name all over them... They are going to be small cylinder type knobs perfect for little hands...

I was going to ship them to California so you could write up a proper review and everything...

Can't send one to Trav he needs some special American nuts.

I do have a bunch of ideas hopefully I'll stay motivated to finish them all... They are not all wood... But this is the first round and a bit of an experimental phase.

i got some.. never mind. the shift knob in the vette i love, its kind of offset, to the right where the bulk of it is in your palm. i think it is a great design

HRMoneyPit 11-12-2015 05:58 PM

Picture?

travlee 11-12-2015 05:59 PM

you want a picture of my knob.... dirty boy!

travlee 11-12-2015 06:12 PM

tried to pm not to hijack thread, but it wouldn't let me


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....328669cdbd.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....660eaf2776.jpg


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/my350z....267115b324.jpg

dboyzalter 11-13-2015 04:00 AM

Well **** im just going to get a corvette knob and glue the nut into the bottom.

No worries im like a teenage girl just all gitty my post has traffic.

I have an idea for a concrete knob using the countertop mix but I don't have all the stuff I would need to polish it...

Also have an idea of wrapping one in parachute cord... Gotta make something that doesn't fall apart first though.

HRMoneyPit 11-13-2015 04:39 AM

That knob is ugly lol


But it feels nice though

travlee 11-13-2015 04:46 AM

yeah not the prettiest thing in the world, but we have all done worse.... now back to the knob, yeah it is very comfortable and natural feeling in my hand


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