Ball bearing short shifter !

[Ben006]

No no, I'm just making a plenum for one!

[Benitom]

After a year of use made my first adjustment - had a little play. No regrets on purchase loving the shifter everyday. :dance:

Not sure if all consoles are the same on 986...I have a 98 and I had to dremel some of the plastic to access the nut. Took a total of 15 minutes. Next adjustment if needed will take 5 minutes.

[Tjacobs]

Ben
Just catching up to your shifter mod, need to do something to help my 2002 4s. If you by chance have one left or are going to make more, know you said that your done so understand if not.
Thanks

[PaulE]

Ben if you're done maybe you want to consider making some "freeware" or simple sharing arrangements? There are probably some people on the forum with machine shops or access to them. They could buy the eBay shifter and bearings and get their own machine work done if they knew the bearing size and the machining that needed to be done. Finding a machine Shop willing to do the work for one shifter may not be cost effective, but for those who really want one it may be worth it, or someone else may be willing to take on the mantle of making more shifters for the forum. It's understandable if you don't want to, but I'm throwing it out there!

[Ben006]

Just like the plenums, if you can make it by taking inspiration from what I did, do it, I won't complaint! But I won't give you the recipe If you read the whole thread you should find all the pictures and clues on how I do it!

Yes, the only reason I was able to make money on them is because I was buying multiple at a time.

I'm going to make more, but you'll have to wait a few month (I'm moving soon) until I'm settled and buy myself lathe Though, shipping cost will be higher (shipping from Europe), I should be able to keep the price "low"

I hope to be able to buy another Boxster and maybe make new stuff too since I'll have a proper workshop

Thanks guys for the interest, and sorry for not being able to offer anything right now :/

Ben

[PaulE]

Thanks Ben, good luck with the move. Glad to hear you'll be back with more goodies!

[P_Carfahrer]

Took my console out tonight to get it painted body color when I paint my new bumpers and trim pieces and installed the shifter. I have to say I love the throw and the weight. I haven't driven the car in months while I have been working on it so the weight feels natural. Great work Ben, thanks. Good luck on the move.

The pennies make me chuckle.

[Ben006]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you like it one more!


I'm waiting on getting my first check from my new job to buy a lathe and start making shifters again! I have money saved so this time I won't be waiting on getting 10 people in, I'll just go ahead and make them! The price should stay close to the same even though they come from another continent

I can't wait to start again!

Ben

[Ben006]

Soooo...
I found a deal... I couldn't let it pass... so screw my next check, I bought a lathe!

[Gelbster]

Well done. I hope you got lots of tooling with it?
Post a photo of the beast when you get it home? What make is it?

[Ben006]

It's a LITTLE beast ^^ Just enough for what I need to do, nothing fancy but it was a good deal.

I bought a set of brased carbide cutting tool to test, but I'll switch to tungstene carbide bits with proper holder soon (10x more expensive though...)

Here it is: Tour d'tabli TW1830V - Tours d'tabli | Sidermca

It should be enough for what I want to do, and at this price it's a good deal. I don't expect high grade machinery at this price, but we'll see

I haven't send the order yet because my printer died... but I can't wait to try it out!

[particlewave]

FYI: I had trouble with carbides getting build up on the cutting edge and chattering, even with cutting fluid. HSS cuts aluminum like a hot knife in butter with no build up or chatter issues.

[Ben006]

Thanks for the tip, I'll check that too then. I haven't used a lathe since 2010...

[Ben006]

I have a new idea!
Can't tell you much right because I need to look into some stuff, but it will be cool and complement the shifters very well!

It should also allow the gated shifter that I had started to become reality

[BRAN]

a new idea?
maybe a gear indicator integration? :dance:

[particlewave]

As nice as these shifters look, I thought about sewing a clear vinyl shift boot and installing a dim LED inside the console to showcase the shine.

I'm not sure how well the vinyl would hold up, though. That, and it would possibly just look cheesy.
Sure would be nice to be able to see it, though.

[Ben006]

I'm not sure about the clear shift boot ^^

Gear indicator, I don't know, I don't feel the need for it :/

[Nine8Six]

The shift boot needs to be made out of nylon material. Same material/grid size as the one found in newer Porsche models (door handle). Got to be good quality, but thin (see ring idea below), and it will look splendid imo. Very sporty!

You can offer them in various colors also, matching exterior or interior trims

Special touch is that titanium ring that you guys can now turn on your new lathe. Use TI Grade 2 (c-pure) and cut with carbide/uncoated/positive rake insert for TI-2 on those benchtop lathes. You can groove that ring ID and use a snap ring to hold the nylon together up there. Tap a M4 through the ring and use a flat head set screw to hold on the kit nicely onto that shifter.

And voila!

Quick photoshop for your eyes only (/wout the TI ring of course lolll)

[Ben006]

I never though about a nylon boot!

Looks good!

The last one I made was teracotta red vinyl and looked quite nice! No titanium ring to hold it though... zip tied it to the handle from inside

[Ben006]

I received the lathe!
Haven't had time to take it out the box yet...