UPDATE: I’ve added a Shapeways link where you can purchase the shifter, but know that there is NO current method of attachment. You MUST know how to drill and tap threads on your own (or how to add any other method of attachment required for your gear shift). The base of the shifter as a diameter of 21mm and a height of 20mm, so you should have plenty of room to drill and tap. http://shpws.me/JWih

After posting about my 3D printed marlinspike handle, I received a suggestion to make it into a gear shifter. I loved the idea! I wanted to maintain the same level of detail that the fid handle had, but a gear shifter is a lot bigger, so I needed a much bigger knot. Here’s the first prototype that I printed on my MakerBot Replicator 2.

I drove around with it for a couple days before deciding it was a bit too big and the shape needed some alterations. Here’s the next iteration:

I drove with that one for several days and was thrilled with how it felt, though it was a bit delicate in plastic. I left it on until it snapped off while shifting gears.

I put an order in for a steel version that day. A few weeks later, I installed the steel version:

I still need to figure out exactly how to cleanly attach the boot, but I’ve been driving with it for a couple weeks and love how it looks and feels! It even makes a little chime noise when you flick it I have it installed on my VW Golf, but I plan to figure out how to make it work on other cars.