That's not a moon, it's a shift knob!
10-15-2012, 10:04 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
That's not a moon, that's a shift knob!
I was looking through ebay trying to find a cool shift knob a little while ago and couldn't find anything to suit my fancy. I thought "Hey a Death Star shift knob would be awesome!" but no dice. Doesn't really exist. So here's how I made one.
I started with a Titanium series Death Star die cast model. There are two of them, and both out of print, so ebay has them. There is the painted one and the raw metal one that I bought. Both can be had for about $20 loose.
Here's the model as I recieved it.
First step was to turn it over and remove the plug. It just pulls out. You'll throw it away, so feel free to mark it up.
You'll find a small phillips head screw at the bottom of that shaft. Luckily enough that hole is the perfect diameter for the shaft of the shifter. Pull it open and you'll be looking at this
Get a m10x1.5 nut. This is one I had lying in my tool box.
I epoxied the nut in place and then used epoxy putty after testing the fit to build a secure fitting. (Plumbers putty works here, comes in yellow and blue strips.) I also too a dremel cut off disc to the metal shaft on the top half to make room for the nut.
Once the epoxy on the lower half has dried, screw it on the shifter and test fit the top piece to make sure you ground enough of the shaft off. It will also allow you to get the weapon facing the way you want when fully screwed in. Apply some epoxy to the gears on the top dome and all around the inside edge. It'll drip down once you put it on top, so give it a thick coat so it will seal well. Let it harden and then clear coat the whole thing to protect the finish.
Here it is installed.
I started with a Titanium series Death Star die cast model. There are two of them, and both out of print, so ebay has them. There is the painted one and the raw metal one that I bought. Both can be had for about $20 loose.
Here's the model as I recieved it.
First step was to turn it over and remove the plug. It just pulls out. You'll throw it away, so feel free to mark it up.
You'll find a small phillips head screw at the bottom of that shaft. Luckily enough that hole is the perfect diameter for the shaft of the shifter. Pull it open and you'll be looking at this
Get a m10x1.5 nut. This is one I had lying in my tool box.
I epoxied the nut in place and then used epoxy putty after testing the fit to build a secure fitting. (Plumbers putty works here, comes in yellow and blue strips.) I also too a dremel cut off disc to the metal shaft on the top half to make room for the nut.
Once the epoxy on the lower half has dried, screw it on the shifter and test fit the top piece to make sure you ground enough of the shaft off. It will also allow you to get the weapon facing the way you want when fully screwed in. Apply some epoxy to the gears on the top dome and all around the inside edge. It'll drip down once you put it on top, so give it a thick coat so it will seal well. Let it harden and then clear coat the whole thing to protect the finish.
Here it is installed.
Last edited by geekybiker; 10-15-2012 at 10:10 PM.
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10-15-2012, 10:20 PM
#2
Suzuka Master
nice and geeky!
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justnspace (10-15-2012)
10-15-2012, 10:36 PM
#6
Team Owner
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LOL....nice write up and good work.
I don't know if I can put it into the TL DIY Garage, but still......
I don't know if I can put it into the TL DIY Garage, but still......
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10-16-2012, 10:27 AM
#8
10-16-2012, 10:34 AM
#9
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Its die cast metal, so its reasonably heavy. It is heavier than the stock knob. As a extra bonus, it sits noticeably lower than the stock knob so it feels a little like a short shift kit.
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The Machine (10-16-2012)
10-16-2012, 11:19 AM
#10
BANNED
iTrader: (33)
great job, you did!
10-16-2012, 11:24 AM
#11
Senior Moderator
iTrader: (1)
suite.
10-17-2012, 08:17 AM
#16
Suzuka Master
when looking at the shift knob I was LOL, but after that I have to give you great prop for making it happen from your imagination.
great mod for sure though!
10-18-2012, 06:55 AM
#22
Haha that's awesome. I have a Storm Trooper hanging from my rearview mirror (my car is white and I'm eventually going for a black and white theme minus the tan interior..). Good mod.
04-25-2014, 01:36 PM
#24
just wanted to let you know, I saw your pic on a website and thought it was a TL. Glad you bumped this thread cuz the website even has the same title and even points to this thread:
http://geektyrant.com/news/thats-no-...tar-gear-shift
http://geektyrant.com/news/thats-no-...tar-gear-shift
04-25-2014, 03:07 PM
#25
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
just wanted to let you know, I saw your pic on a website and thought it was a TL. Glad you bumped this thread cuz the website even has the same title and even points to this thread:
http://geektyrant.com/news/thats-no-...tar-gear-shift
http://geektyrant.com/news/thats-no-...tar-gear-shift
Yah, its been around the web a few times at this point. Seems every couple months it pops up somewhere. I was kinda shocked nobody had done it yet when I was googling to find one.
04-27-2014, 08:11 PM
#28
This is excellent - and a nice thread revival. As a Star Wars fan I can only hope that you've replaced the Acura chimes with "Commence primary ignition" whenever you turn the key. 
04-28-2014, 11:00 AM
#29
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Heh. I never got into electronics. There wouldn't really be any clean way to run power to the knob anyways. I suppose you could always do a battery operated version. It worked out real well as a shift knob though. Perfect size and nice and solid feel.
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