R56 Opinions Wanted on Shift Knob Designs
#1
Opinions Wanted on Shift **** Designs
I've been experimenting with some designs for shift ***** and would like to hear what people think about them.
1. Amboyna burl & African blackwood:
1. Amboyna burl & African blackwood:
2. Racing Stripe lamination of cherry and walnut burl. It could be done with any contrasting hardwoods.
3. Inspired by the shift **** in a Mazda 787B raced at Le Mans. It was supposed to reduce fatigue over the 24 hour race.
4. A shape that I worked out that I think is more comfortable than the "Le Mans" cylinder and provides good control for quick shifting.
Please let me know what you think on one or more.
#5
#6
The different shapes can be made out of other woods. IMO, the maple would go fine with a Creamline interior or Tuscan Lounge Leather, but I can see your point about wanting something that integrates more with other interiors. I tend to like shift ***** and eBrake handles to be accents, rather than blending in, but that is just my taste.
I'm surprised that people like the stock ****. I found it rather uncomfortable for shifting, and the chromed plastic and vinyl make think it belongs in a Crackerjacks box. This **** is what started me on this whole **** making thing.
I'm surprised that people like the stock ****. I found it rather uncomfortable for shifting, and the chromed plastic and vinyl make think it belongs in a Crackerjacks box. This **** is what started me on this whole **** making thing.
#7
Just looking at these, I think #2 would be the most comfortable in my hand, then #1. I don't care for 3 and 4.
Call me weird but this is about how I find myself driving and shifting. Sometimes I rest my hand on the shifter - 3 is too edgy and 4 is too pointy. Sometimes I shift with my fingertips just below centerline - think spider standing on a ball. ***** 1 and 2 look great for that. Sometimes I grasp the shifter from the side or top with the **** in my palm and roll it from gear to gear. Again 3 and 4 don't look too comfortable for that but 1 and 2 would be great.
As for color, 3 and 4 don't look very "custom". I like 1 and 2 best by far and would play with color/stripe variations between the two. I'm trying to visualize the colors of 1 on 2.
Call me weird but this is about how I find myself driving and shifting. Sometimes I rest my hand on the shifter - 3 is too edgy and 4 is too pointy. Sometimes I shift with my fingertips just below centerline - think spider standing on a ball. ***** 1 and 2 look great for that. Sometimes I grasp the shifter from the side or top with the **** in my palm and roll it from gear to gear. Again 3 and 4 don't look too comfortable for that but 1 and 2 would be great.
As for color, 3 and 4 don't look very "custom". I like 1 and 2 best by far and would play with color/stripe variations between the two. I'm trying to visualize the colors of 1 on 2.
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#8
Hmm, don't like number 4 at all really. For every day driving, 3 doesn't look too comfortable, but I like the styling overall. Out of 1 and 2, 2 looks to be the most comfortable, but I like the woods used on number 1 the best. Number 2 with the woods from number 1 would be nearly perfect.
#10
Thanks for your replies.
While #4 may look odd, I came to that shape through several experiments. The idea behind the Le Mans handle is that you would grab it with your hand in about the same angle as you hold the steering wheel. With a standard ****, one usually rotates their wrist to grab the ****. Also, a pistol grip like grab makes the shift throw a little easier.
After trying several shapes, I found this bullet shape to be quite comfortable.
While #4 may look odd, I came to that shape through several experiments. The idea behind the Le Mans handle is that you would grab it with your hand in about the same angle as you hold the steering wheel. With a standard ****, one usually rotates their wrist to grab the ****. Also, a pistol grip like grab makes the shift throw a little easier.
After trying several shapes, I found this bullet shape to be quite comfortable.
#12
Thanks for your replies.
While #4 may look odd, I came to that shape through several experiments. The idea behind the Le Mans handle is that you would grab it with your hand in about the same angle as you hold the steering wheel. With a standard ****, one usually rotates their wrist to grab the ****. Also, a pistol grip like grab makes the shift throw a little easier.
After trying several shapes, I found this bullet shape to be quite comfortable.
While #4 may look odd, I came to that shape through several experiments. The idea behind the Le Mans handle is that you would grab it with your hand in about the same angle as you hold the steering wheel. With a standard ****, one usually rotates their wrist to grab the ****. Also, a pistol grip like grab makes the shift throw a little easier.
After trying several shapes, I found this bullet shape to be quite comfortable.
#15
Robin,
Have you though about turning a segmented form using contrasting wood to make a checkerboard pattern… either horizontally or vertically? I know there’s a lot more work involved with segmented turning, but I think the results are worth it. I’ve often thought of turning a checkerboard pattern myself. Too many other projects to knock out though.
Love your wood selection! Where do you get your timbers?
Have you though about turning a segmented form using contrasting wood to make a checkerboard pattern… either horizontally or vertically? I know there’s a lot more work involved with segmented turning, but I think the results are worth it. I’ve often thought of turning a checkerboard pattern myself. Too many other projects to knock out though.
Love your wood selection! Where do you get your timbers?
#16
Checkers
Robin,
Have you though about turning a segmented form using contrasting wood to make a checkerboard pattern… either horizontally or vertically? I know there’s a lot more work involved with segmented turning, but I think the results are worth it. I’ve often thought of turning a checkerboard pattern myself. Too many other projects to knock out though.
Love your wood selection! Where do you get your timbers?
Have you though about turning a segmented form using contrasting wood to make a checkerboard pattern… either horizontally or vertically? I know there’s a lot more work involved with segmented turning, but I think the results are worth it. I’ve often thought of turning a checkerboard pattern myself. Too many other projects to knock out though.
Love your wood selection! Where do you get your timbers?
Here are the experiments in ebony & white holly:
The one on the left isn't too bad, except that some natural coloration showed up near the bottom. Perhaps I should turn it into a more spherical shape.
I don't like the check pattern on the one on the right. It is too asymmetrical. I'll probably cut it out and inlay a larger and more symmetrical checker piece.
When I get some more checks put together (it is something of a pain getting it just right) I was thinking of something like stripe **** #1 with checks where the stripe is. Not sure whether it should be one row, two rows, or three rows of checks.
The ***** could be out of other woods as well. I might try African Blackwood or walnut.
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