Shift Knob Designs - LotusTalk

Earache · 08-25-2009, 07:15 AM

This has probably been discussed to death someplace on the Forum, but I didn't find much with a search.

A friend has asked me to design a shift knob for him and I wanted to make something cool that wasn't a copy of a knob already made.

So I come here looking for ideas. Have a design in your head that you'd like to see made or have any ideas?

I made a couple trial knobs, these are aluminum, one polished and one machine finish. Very basic...

Added a badge to make it look a bit better...

But I'd still like to do something more. Coating / anodize in colors? Bigger? Smaller?

Any ideas???

Shorty111R · 08-25-2009, 01:36 PM

I wonder how a black round-ish knob would look with a black/silver Lotus emblem. I bet it would look pretty sweet!

Appleseed · 08-25-2009, 01:50 PM

someone on here had a black painted one, was pretty decent... I was thinking about trying some kind of billiard ball or something... My wife had a crystal ball fall off of the bathroom chandelier (perfect size), thought it would be cool to have a crystal ball, but she said no

MattSB · 08-25-2009, 03:26 PM

The new Ford Gt500 has what I think is the slickest looking shift knob ever.

I personally also like the Type 25 knob as well, but it may be more of an acquired taste.

<Have seen picture but Google isn't producing>

jim-clayton · 08-25-2009, 05:37 PM

I was machining some SS shift knobs earlier today. 2.25" and 1.875"

I've had a 2.25 on my car for 3 years. 1.6 lbs

Earache · 08-26-2009, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shorty111R

I wonder how a black round-ish knob would look with a black/silver Lotus emblem. I bet it would look pretty sweet!

I'll give that atry then.

I powdercoated the OEM knob in a flat black for a guy. It looked pretty good, but not that much different from OEM.

A different shape is what I'm really after, not just a different color or engraving of the shift pattern. Maybe a 2 or 3 piece design as well.

Dragon · 08-26-2009, 04:39 AM

Some thing like this on the top

And 3 cuts at the 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 points like below, but thinner.

But keep it round...

If you can knock one out with the lotus shift pattern I'd be interested in getting one myself..

or if you could engrave a gear or sprocket shape like the one below wrapped over the top 1/2 on the curved surface with the shift pattern in it = double

Dragon · 08-26-2009, 04:58 AM

A strait cut pinion gear shape cut in to the top part of the ball would also look nice if you can cut the edges so they don't cut you.

Being as your shifting the transmission a gear type look would fit well...

kevinthefro · 08-26-2009, 05:08 AM

My favorite I saw on a rat rod:

alil'britdifferent · 08-26-2009, 05:26 AM

I like this..........

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earache

With a black badge, with these grooves.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon

kestrel74 · 08-26-2009, 05:32 AM

skull !

Earache · 08-26-2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alil'britdifferent

I like this..........

With a black badge, with these grooves.......

With or without the O-rings?

Earache · 08-26-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon

A strait cut pinion gear shape cut in to the top part of the ball would also look nice if you can cut the edges so they don't cut you.

Being as your shifting the transmission a gear type look would fit well...

That's a pretty good idea and could be done easily enough. Not a problem to take away the sharpish edges by buffing a bit.

dma550 · 08-26-2009, 06:17 AM

I like the longacre knob... this with our pattern on it (cut in) would be cool IMO.

Noel · 08-26-2009, 06:19 AM

I'm happy if I can fit an ARC titanium gearknob in the car.

Dragon · 08-26-2009, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earache

That's a pretty good idea and could be done easily enough. Not a problem to take away the sharpish edges by buffing a bit.

Want....

Make it round and heavy and pm me a price...

shay2nak · 08-27-2009, 11:59 AM

a darth vader helmet as a knob would be awesome

alil'britdifferent · 08-27-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earache

With or without the O-rings?

With, otherwise it would trap dirt.

DeanG · 08-27-2009, 05:04 PM

Aluminum gets hot sitting in the sun. It could make shifting an adventure in pain.

Earache · 08-29-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alil'britdifferent

With, otherwise it would trap dirt.

Gotcha

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeanG

Aluminum gets hot sitting in the sun. It could make shifting an adventure in pain.

What material would you suggest then? Wood? Leather wrapped?

Thanks for the replies!

08-25-2009, 07:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
Earache Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 15	Shift Knob Designs This has probably been discussed to death someplace on the Forum, but I didn't find much with a search. A friend has asked me to design a shift knob for him and I wanted to make something cool that wasn't a copy of a knob already made. So I come here looking for ideas. Have a design in your head that you'd like to see made or have any ideas? I made a couple trial knobs, these are aluminum, one polished and one machine finish. Very basic... Added a badge to make it look a bit better... But I'd still like to do something more. Coating / anodize in colors? Bigger? Smaller? Any ideas??? Last edited by Earache : 08-25-2009 at 07:45 AM.

08-25-2009, 01:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shorty111R MY car weighs 3166lbs Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 556	I wonder how a black round-ish knob would look with a black/silver Lotus emblem. I bet it would look pretty sweet! __________________ "Any car which holds together for more than a race is too heavy" - Colin Chapman -07 Chevy HHR -08 Kawasaki Concours 14 -09 Buell XB12Scg - GOT IT FOR HALF PRICE! Looking for a Lotus!

08-25-2009, 01:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Appleseed Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jesup, GA Posts: 266	someone on here had a black painted one, was pretty decent... I was thinking about trying some kind of billiard ball or something... My wife had a crystal ball fall off of the bathroom chandelier (perfect size), thought it would be cool to have a crystal ball, but she said no __________________ 2008 GG Elise (needs black wheels) 2008 Gray Prius (wifey) 1998 Jag XK8 (traded on Elise) Thank God!

08-25-2009, 03:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
MattSB Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ont. Posts: 58	The new Ford Gt500 has what I think is the slickest looking shift knob ever. I personally also like the Type 25 knob as well, but it may be more of an acquired taste. <Have seen picture but Google isn't producing> __________________ matt ------------------------------------------------------------ '08 Elise SC 60th Anniversary : Ti+Canyon Red, Touring+Track Pack '69 Elan : QED Head, 420 Cams , CV Joints, Spax, Panasports '01 330i SP: My DD '05 XC70: The kart trailer hauler

08-25-2009, 05:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
jim-clayton Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Lauderdale Florida Posts: 1,634	I was machining some SS shift knobs earlier today. 2.25" and 1.875" I've had a 2.25 on my car for 3 years. 1.6 lbs __________________ 2005 Elise Storm Titanium

08-26-2009, 04:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dragon Hydrocarbons Rule Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Okinawa Japan Posts: 1,747 Images: 2	Some thing like this on the top And 3 cuts at the 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 points like below, but thinner. But keep it round... If you can knock one out with the lotus shift pattern I'd be interested in getting one myself.. or if you could engrave a gear or sprocket shape like the one below wrapped over the top 1/2 on the curved surface with the shift pattern in it = double __________________ 2006 Exige; BWR Supercharger, Adj Sway Bar, Ohlins Suspension, BSK Oil Catch Can, Moroso Oil Pan, ORC Clutch, Custom Exhaust, Black Volk Racing CE28N's w/ Toyo R1R's, 2 piece rotors, Pagid Blue Pads, BSK Wet Carbon (Side Skirts, Front Lip Spoiler, Gas Cap Cover, Center Console, Door Panels), Dry Carbon rear Diffuser, Harness Bar, BWR Gauge Mount, OMP Superquadro steering wheel, LETSLA Short Shifter, V2arms, Rear Tow Link Brace, RLS Battery Bracket, BOE Tow Bar, Stickers. Last edited by Dragon : 08-26-2009 at 04:49 AM.

08-26-2009, 04:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dragon Hydrocarbons Rule Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Okinawa Japan Posts: 1,747 Images: 2	A strait cut pinion gear shape cut in to the top part of the ball would also look nice if you can cut the edges so they don't cut you. Being as your shifting the transmission a gear type look would fit well... __________________ 2006 Exige; BWR Supercharger, Adj Sway Bar, Ohlins Suspension, BSK Oil Catch Can, Moroso Oil Pan, ORC Clutch, Custom Exhaust, Black Volk Racing CE28N's w/ Toyo R1R's, 2 piece rotors, Pagid Blue Pads, BSK Wet Carbon (Side Skirts, Front Lip Spoiler, Gas Cap Cover, Center Console, Door Panels), Dry Carbon rear Diffuser, Harness Bar, BWR Gauge Mount, OMP Superquadro steering wheel, LETSLA Short Shifter, V2arms, Rear Tow Link Brace, RLS Battery Bracket, BOE Tow Bar, Stickers.

08-26-2009, 05:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
kevinthefro _ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 43	My favorite I saw on a rat rod: __________________ My Corvette is for sale.

08-26-2009, 05:32 AM	#11 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,312	skull ! Attached Images __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

08-26-2009, 06:17 AM	#14 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,188	I like the longacre knob... this with our pattern on it (cut in) would be cool IMO. __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

08-26-2009, 06:19 AM	#15 (permalink)
Noel Exige Cup 255 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 33.87°S 151.21°E Car: ロータス MKII エキシージ Type: Komo-Tec S300 Posts: 329	I'm happy if I can fit an ARC titanium gearknob in the car.

08-27-2009, 11:59 AM	#17 (permalink)
shay2nak I <3 chicken, I <3 liver Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 15,056	a darth vader helmet as a knob would be awesome __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEOS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

08-27-2009, 05:04 PM	#19 (permalink)
DeanG Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 724	Aluminum gets hot sitting in the sun. It could make shifting an adventure in pain.

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