Another “heavyweight knob”......

[s3c chris]

Hi all.

I know a few of you have imported stainless steel gearknobs from the USA and commented on how much better the gerachange has felt.

I thought I would share some pictures of the one I have had made in the UK by Mark Hines of “ The Lathe Cave”.

The knob is made in two parts, the top sphere and a separate collar which screws against it to lock it in place on the gearstick. A counterbore in the collar allows a degree of height adjustment and there is a recess for the gaiter to locate in.

Workmanship is first class and I am very pleased with it.
Mark is happy to make more if anyone is interested and the price, although not cheap, is much less than importing one from the USA. Contact Mark via his email;
[e-mail]

Regards Chris.

[phazed]

That's really is a knob and a half! It looks like a real good quality item.

[motul1974]

How does it feel different?...if that can be explained in writing??

[Classic Chim]

I think COG has a similar sized one and similar weight I seem to remember, reckons it’s a more solid type of change, he has the linkage mod too me thinks
Not sure if that would make much difference on most cars but it does look very good.

[Matthew Poxon]

That looks fantastic Chris. Good to hear you managed to find some local talent as well.

What did you make of the feel once it was fitted?

[Matthew Poxon]

Classic Chim said:

I think COG has a similar sized one and similar weight I seem to remember, reckons it’s a more solid type of change, he has the linkage mod too me thinks
Not sure if that would make much difference on most cars but it does look very good.

Yes he has. I copied COG's design and documented it here if you are interested in the detail:

https://matthewpoxon.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/t5-g...

[ChimpOnGas]

Matthew Poxon said:

Classic Chim said:

I think COG has a similar sized one and similar weight I seem to remember, reckons it’s a more solid type of change, he has the linkage mod too me thinks
Not sure if that would make much difference on most cars but it does look very good.

Yes he has. I copied COG's design and documented it here if you are interested in the detail:

https://matthewpoxon.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/t5-g...

Yes chaps, my knob is bigger and heavier than standard and feels really nice in the hand, I've handled smaller lighter standard knobs since and they really do feel unsatisfying by comparison.

Size definitely matters

The thread you need is... 1/2" UNF (20 TPI)



If you seek a high quality beautifully custom made gear knob turned to your exact specification in a material of your choice then Chris of WC Lathe Werks is your man.

http://lathewerks.com/shop/index.php

MY CHOSEN SPEC

• Turned from solid 303 Stainless Steel
• 303 Stainless Steel will not scratch and mark like soft aluminium original
• Larger 2.0" diameter - feels better in the hand than the smaller TVR original
• 530 grams weight for better throw momentum during gear changes
• Actually three times the weight of the aluminium original
• Brushed finish matches other TVR brushed metal interior components
• Internal threading provides a quick screw-on installation
• Proper boot lip to hold up the gear stick gaiter - missing on the original
• Full height adjustment by hidden internal allen grub screw
• Knob is deep drilled to sit lower than TVR original if required
• 1" collar to allow your fingers to wrap around the sphere - no gaiter interference

Chris can also machine a flat face in the top of the knob then laser engrave the T5 gate into it to exactly replicate the TVR original, or he can leave it as a sphere and still laser engrave the gate. I considered all this and was tempted to create a TVR replica in stainless steel but decided to follow the TVR interior design brief of "don't label the controls".

I know where the gears are in my T5 box and how to find them, I concluded I don't need a diagram on the top of the gear knob to remind me. If I loan the car to someone I'll just tell them where the gears are, and if they still need a diagram to help them they really shouldn't be driving my TVR.

Basically I took Chris' existing brushed 303 stainless gear knob designed for the Subaru WRX and had him make it with a 1/2" UNF (20 TPI) thread so it screwed straight on my TVR T5 gear stick.



http://lathewerks.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=...

To say I'm delighted with the end result would be a massive understatement, it really is a first class piece of lathe work by a very talented machinist.

WC Lathe Werks receives the ChimpOnGas "Highly Recommended" seal of approval, this gear knob is presented to you as another tempting trinket to spend your hard earned cash on you don't really need, an unnecessary jewel however that you now feel is something you just can't live without

[s3c chris]

Hi.

Sadly I haven’t been able to fit the new knob yet. The car is “on holiday” while some building work has been going on at home. It should be back next week though.

It sounds daft but it somehow feels more tactile than the original one and as the colllar has a spanner flat machined on it it should be easier to fit and remove without the need for pipe grips (judging by the state of the original).

Time will tell but I think it will be an improvement (hopefully).

Incidentally, Mark seems quite happy to undertake small one off items like this so it may be worth bearing it in mind.....

Regards Chris.

[motul1974]

I'm just wondering, I like the idea of a 'heavier knob', as I can imagine it giving an extra degree of tactility to things. I see the later bell housing/selector option as Matthew Poxon has gone with something I should of looked into when I had the box still out, but being as I'm at a rolling chassis stage with the engine and box in at the moment, I'm not inclined to tear it apart again, so wondering about of the upgrades available to me at this stage, is going for the 'Big Boy Knob' the simplist effective upgrade???

[ChimpOnGas]

motul1974 said:

I'm just wondering, I like the idea of a 'heavier knob', as I can imagine it giving an extra degree of tactility to things. I see the later bell housing/selector option as Matthew Poxon has gone with something I should of looked into when I had the box still out, but being as I'm at a rolling chassis stage with the engine and box in at the moment, I'm not inclined to tear it apart again, so wondering about of the upgrades available to me at this stage, is going for the 'Big Boy Knob' the simplist effective upgrade???

Yes, a knob upgrade is definitely your best option

[Classic Chim]

I’ve been trying to find something constructive to say about big heavy knobs,,,,,

At first I’m thinking, load of bks as I’d not want a heavier shift as it takes more effort when driving lazy like but the more I think about it,,,
It’s a very short shift ( love it) proper race car like as I used to like to say
I can see how that bit of weight would correspond to the brain feeling sure you’d engaged the gear as you can possibly physically feel a heavier connection as it goes through but if you are going for fast changes won’t this mean your getting a bit heavy handed using more force?
Of course we don’t race around the roads like we are on race tracks changing gear in a split second so who cares but there’s an argument in there somewhere
For us with the Tvr linkage which is a bit naff but surprisingly ok, I can’t see how it would add much,saying that I’d buy one for its quality and shine alone,,, but I’ve polished my knob so I’m ok