Check out my custom shift nob

[Diesel Dan]

Hello friends,

I just completed a project and wanted to share the results. I got ahold of some ultra high end Burl walnut and went to work. This is not a lot of work and the end result is unique and beautiful if i do say so myself



I posted some pics of the blanks a few weeks back but got no interest. I figured you guys needed to see the end results before doing this for yourself. I have a few blanks for sale. #'1, and # 2 are stabilized $30 each includes shippind and #'s 3 and 4 are not stabilized $20 each.



It feels soo much better to have a real ball in your hand (2 1/8ths in dia) and everyone that sees it is flored. As nice as the pics are they don't do it justice. It doesn't hurt to be the son of a gunsmith for some tips( i will pass them on as well.



Tell me what you think and fire away w/ questions



DD

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[Diesel Dan]

Here are the blanks. I used the one that is marked "NFS"

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[SRadke]

Black Walnut right? I've got a neighbor that makes custom gunstocks and he really likes the English Walnut. Both make a really beautiful finnish with awesome depth. Very nice



-Scott

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

man that thing is sharp... . nice job Oo.

 

[RankRam]

Very nice!



One question, what does stabilized mean?



BTW I want one. Oo.

 

[Diesel Dan]

SRadke,

Actually it was told to me that it is Burl walnut. notice the little "Dots/burls" we looked at over 100 blanks to find a pc that had some red hue to match the dash wood (plastic)



turbodiesel,

Thanks



RankRam,

The process of stabilization is a high preasure polymer injection that fills all the pores and makes it virtually impossible to crack or split. All custom knives you see have had this process done to them



FYI

The "h" patern was done by drilling 1/16 th holes and gluing in 1/16 aluminum rod then grinding/sanding off flush.



you can call me at 949-454-9144 if interested. First come gets first pic of blank.



Best regards



DD

 

[AMink]

Beautiful! Wish I had a standard! I guess I could do something similar with auto, but who would see it? Guess I could do my transfer case knob...

 

[Diesel Dan]

Hello Guys,

I need to clarify something. What i am selling is the wood blanks as you see in the last pic. Not a shaped and finished nob. At wholesale, the blank i bought and cut into 5 pcs was $80. And cost me $10 to have each one stabilized. As you can see, this not ordinary walnut, But in the top 5% of available quality like you would see on a Weatherby. I am not trying to make a profit, just sharing some extra pcs to help recover my costs. The fun part is you can ddo whatever you want and make it to your liking. Think of the pride you will feel when someone says "where did you get that shifter nob?"

"I made it myself"



Its a fun project. Go for it if you want to have something unique.



DD

 

[AMink]

DD How did you get the numbers on?

 

[Diesel Dan]

Amink,

I printed the numbers off my computer onto stickered paper. Cut them out, attached them to the wood and finished over them w/several coats of gunstock finish. It was very easy. I looked everywhere for some stickers of numbers and letters but had to go this way as a last resort.



Best regards



DD

 

[RankRam]

I didn't know it was just the wood blanks. Thanks for the clarification, I'm going to go with an aftermarket knob then.



DD could you please tell me what the size threads our trucks have?



Thanks.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Rankram,

I don't know what size the thread is. I just went to my misc nut box and found one that threaded on. I understand your decision. Individuality comes at a price most people are afraid to pay. I am kinda different as i want it exactly the way i want it so i choose to do it myself. This way i am never disapointed.



I guess i love working w/ wood. Just see my pinewood derby collection. Notice the 2001 CTD and the F-18



Best regards



DD

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[RankRam]

Thanks Dan!

 

[MNielsen]

diesel dan,

What fine work you've done!!! I'd say a work od art. mine is auto and I don't have access to a lathe or I would buy one. Thanks for sharing

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Looks sweet Danny!!! Good job buddy, Can ya put a switch in one for the exhaust brake? What do you think? Those things must be worth at least $100 finished? I would be willing to bet you could sell them for that price.



Greg

 

[Diesel Dan]

MNielsen,

Thanks for the complement. Keep in mind that this was done w/hand tools w/ the exception of the initial shaping w/ a band saw. This shape is done to look light a light bulb. the bottom of the bulb is clamped into a vice until all the hand shaping(rasp) and sanding is complete, Then you just cut off the top ball and do a little touch up and start finishing. I will also do the rough shaping w the bandsaw it any on needs it done.



Greg,

Thanks for the kind words. Yes a switch could be added to one of these. It just takes time and planning. I highly doubt anyone would be willing to pay $100 for one of these completed as most people thought it was completed for $20-30 and only a few inquired and none were placing orders. I am too much of a perfectionist to be able to make these and sell them for a profit.



I added the shift patern and numbers in case the wifey wanted to drive the truck(not likely but possible) If i was to do another one it would have an inlayed mother of pearl in the shape of the Cummins "C". Now that would be sweeeeeeeeeet.

 

[Spooled-up]

Dan,

Did you use a threaded insert to thread it onto the shaft or something else?

 

[Diesel Dan]

David,

What i did was epoxy a nut down in the ball and locktighted it to the shaft overnight. It has not moved since.



Best regards



DD

 

[RLutkenhaus]

How did you get the original shifter knob off? I have an 04. 5 that the shift pattern numbers have twisted clockwise and I can't get them to turn back. I don't want to damage the knob. Is the shift pattern separate from the knob?

 

[Diesel Dan]

RLutkenhaus,

boy, that is a tough one. On my 03 the shift pattern insert has a lip on the bottom that makes it hard to get off. I took mine off sometime back to glue it to stop it from rotating and buggered it up a little. Getting it off this time was harder but i didn't have to worry about ruining it. Try prying it up w/ a small screwdriver and hope for the best.



Best regards



DD