Makes ME want a metal lathe! I could have had a great one for $35!!!
Actually, a 4 jaw chuck would allow a similar effect, but it wouldn't have a 'taper angle". One side would be in line with the lower part of the **** and the 'larger-handgrip' side would bulge out. Sort of like a cam lobe.

You know Matt, tho' I never worked in the industry, (my Dad did, during WW2) I have great appreciation of the machine tool trade. When one learns how to use even the most basic tools, you feel like you can almost do anything to any material requiring modification. Since I never had the responsibility of working in the industry, I could just 'play' as I learned. It's great fun and fascinating as well.

 

Thats cool as heck ! Nice custom work !

Toque

 

Thanks Mark!

 

Yea Im hoping to get into machine shop so I can really learn how to use all of the tools, I really dont have any experience with any of it other than the little bit of engraving I did when my grandfather and uncle were operating an engraving business. Both of my grandfathers work in the machine shop at the ship yard so I guess Im in kinda the same position as you.

 

and those 2 old guys have encyclopedias of info stored in their heads!

 

Yea if only I was a little older before my dads dad passed away and my moms dad doesnt mess with anything much anymore other than a little carpentry. Luckily the guy Im helping out down the street was a shop foreman at the yard as well and is going to teach me some stuff.

 

Got mine threaded finally, tapped almost like butter. Makes me have very little confidence in the amount of torque it can handle...

Here is my old one.

 

Whoa, there Tex!! First of all that is a GREAT looking ****. Secondly, what do you think the taps normally cut threads into? OF COURSE it tapped like butter! The threads in that pretty tough piece of plastic are stronger than you think!! If you are really happy with it, use some RTV silicone on the threads and let it cure overnite. It will hold plenty tight enough for shifting and can still be removed. You did fine grasshopper.

 

Yea I guess Im just a little too worried about stripping them out, when I screwed it on to the shifter it actually finished taping the threads since I didnt have a bottom tap which is why I guess I dont have much confidence in them. Plus I know how easy it is to strip out a standard metal bolt and to get the **** tight enough to where it wont spin when I shift its got to be pretty darn tight. I am going to put some rtv on it Saturday as it is supposed to be warm again and I would think it should bond better.

 

Here is my latest shift ****. It's longer and thicker than the first rosewood one I did, and much shinier now that I have 2500 grit paper. It was soaked in black stain as was requested by someone and then 'wet sanded' with the black stain and the 2500 paper. I then buffed it with a flannel wheel with jeweler's rouge. It's in the 'handle' style rather than a ball, and it's real comfortable to drive with. I also made the threads as deep as possible so I can get the 'effect' of a shorter shifter without the conversion. Also included are pix of #'s 2 & 3, both of laminated maple, one soaked in mahogany stain overnite and the other in ebony.

 

Its about time to start your own business isnt it.

 

Thanks! I have a lot of experimentation yet!!

 

Any thoughts about it or just a hobby?

 

Yes, I'm thinking of it on a limited basis.

 

That should be fun, and youve got some nice ones there.

 

That is REALLY nice. Beautiful accent to your interior.

.

 

THANKS!! I just had it out. I filled a crack on the opposite side, used some ebony stain on it then repolished it.

 

Have you made anymore recently?

 

Yes, Matt, I have. I have 3 new ones. I didn't post any pix because I didn't want to have any of the silly negatives a few people were throwing around, but I will take pix asap.
I tried one from some leftover butcher block, trying to mimic the old 30's style bakelite ***** but it came out too light, so I flamed it and then stained it. It's pretty, but I don't trust it 'cause the heat caused the glue to weaken.
I then made a new on from a big chunk of walnut a friend gave me. It is of the 'hard bar' style with 'grips'. It is too lightweight but has a great feel to it. I also cracked it during the threading process.
Last one is also bar style, fairly smooth of a piece of a red cedar branch the fell during the October storm here. I made it pretty long with the deepest threads yet, still a bit too thin. However it took the flame and black stain real well. Since it's a softwood, I gave it 4 coats of poly and then shined it up nice. The neat thing is that it's the best shifting one of them all despite it's low weight. I still like my larger rosewood one the best looks wise, but the next one once I finish my door armrest bases will be long, heavy, with grips. I have a chunk of cherry waiting in the wings....

 

I cant wait to see them, I still dont see how you are keeping them from spinning. I RTV'd mine into place and it held for a few weeks but it eventually started to spin on me... of course I do beat it up kinda.
http://s1025.photobucket.com/albums/...t=VID00007.mp4
Im not sure if you can tell from that video but I tend to shift pretty aggressively when I have a little fun.