Ferrari Shift Knob

Next time you see a Ferrari 308 (or 246 or 328 or 348) peek inside and take a look at it's shift knob. Although it's classic round shape is iconic, you may be surprised to see that the OEM knob looks less like something out of an Italian dream car and more like a cheap little bakelite ball. It is little too, only 43mm in diameter which some may think feels a little small to fit the hand comfortably. Look closer and you'll see that the gear numbers are deeply engraved into the knob which makes it difficult to keep the numbers looking clean and white. This is one way to make an upgraded Ferrari shift knob.

Ready to begin, The 2x2x6 inch Gaboon ebony blank is coated with wax to keep the wood from swelling and shrinking with changes in humidity which helps keep the wood from cracking. The finish on the completed knob should serve the same function.

Cut in half to make a single shift knob.

A 1/8 inch hole was drilled down the axis of the blank. Not only will this give me center points for mounting on the lathe but will also make it much easier drill the recesses for the inserts once the sphere has been turned.

The knob's shape laid out on the blank.

Ebony wood is rare and expensive stuff so I cut away as much as I could on the bandsaw. The small cut off bits may be useful in other projects.

The blank mounted on the lathe. I like to wheel the lathe out of the shop on nice days. Helps keep the dust off my Boxster!

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