Shift Knob Adapter

[A 986 S]

My shop made solution was to drill an oversized hole in the knob's base into which I glued a metal tube that I modified to have a nice friction fit with the wide part of the shaft. I then drilled and tapped holes for set screws into the lower sides of the knob to secure the knob to the shaft. With the knob installed the set screws are hidden by the leather boot. This works well for me and I'm well pleased with the result.

When and if I turn another knob for my Boxster I think I'd forgo the metal insert and drill a series of 7mm holes to create a slot for the rectangular shaft.

Of course the quick and easy solution would be to buy an aftermarket knob that was made to fit our cars. These are available from many sources including Pelican Parts and eBay.

This is the walnut knob I turned shortly after I bought the car.


cheers - dj

[Rodnacious]

Originally Posted by A 986 S

My shop made solution was to drill an oversized hole in the knob's base into which I glued a metal tube that I modified to have a nice friction fit with the wide part of the shaft. I then drilled and tapped holes for set screws into the lower sides of the knob to secure the knob to the shaft. With the knob installed the set screws are hidden by the leather boot. This works well for me and I'm well pleased with the result.

When and if I turn another knob for my Boxster I think I'd forgo the metal insert and drill a series of 7mm holes to create a slot for the rectangular shaft.

Of course the quick and easy solution would be to buy an aftermarket knob that was made to fit our cars. These are available from many sources including Pelican Parts and eBay.

This is the walnut knob I turned shortly after I bought the car.


cheers - dj

Looks nice. I was thinking I could drill small holes after I turned one and chisel it to a tight fit then drill a set screw. Black walnut or cherry would look good. I’ll keep thinking it over and maybe turn a few with scrap wood as test pieces.

[A 986 S]

Cutting the slot after turning the knob could be problematic. There a couple of other options that might work. The first would be to drill a series of 7mm holes in the base of the blank to create a 7mm by 17mm slot. This would be easier to do and less likely to blow out the side of the turning if done before turning the knob. A shift arm shaped wooden piece could be inserted into this slot so that you would have a center when turning the knob. After completing the turning the filler piece could be removed and the knob installed on your car.

Another option would be to drill a 17mm hole in the blank (or the completed turning) then turn a cylinder that would completely fill this hole. Cutting a 7mm thick slice down the length of this cylinder would leave you with two half round pieces that could be glued on opposite sides of the hole leaving a slot just wide enough for the shift arm.

The shift pattern medallion that I used came from eBay. I think it was labeled to fit a VW of some sort.

Good luck with your turning and be sure to post pictures of you completed project!