[elka]

I have an unknown metal shift knob that I recovered at 8yo from my grandma's garage, after she passed away (like more than 40 years ago). I think my grandpa shaped it out.

I always thought it would be a cool shift knob. I recently found it again, but now that i'm a little (maybe alot) smarter, I think it might be lead, not aluminum.

maybe i can seal it in epoxy?

sorry if its not exactly trans/driveline but i didn't know what section to post in..

 

[catzodellamarina]

If it is lead, make a plaster mold of it and cast it with aluminum to make a shift knob. Then keep the original on a shelf.

 

[71350SS]

It could be pewter ? That's a similar color.Are you certain its not a shrunken skull ? some of those are real

 

[Hotwire]

If you have a machine shop nearby they might be able to help you determine metallurgy and give you options to tap if it isn't lead. You have a magnet you can test it with?

 

[vortec710]

Magnet only indicates alloys of iron, of no value with aluminum, lead, pewter or non-ferrous alloys, except to rule out iron based.

 

[Jasons 69 Chevelle]

If it’s lead it will write on paper

 

[Hotwire]

Magnet only indicates alloys of iron, of no value with aluminum, lead, pewter or non-ferrous alloys, except to rule out iron based.

Yep, I got the dunce cap for that one, not sure where I was going with it.. 😖

 

[vortec710]

Some junkyards / recyclers have an “electronic gun” that gives them composition of metals as they need to know what they are buying/selling, I’ve seen them used, not sure how accurate...BUT they don’t spend that kind of money to get something that doesn’t work.

 

[69SS454]

Have it chrome plated.

 

[71350SS]

Also some shifter balls come with an internal bushing that threads into the ball itself (or skull) and inside that bushing there are threads that fit the shifter handle's threaded end.This way everytime its tightened or loosened you are not relying on the threads inside the ball or the skull.That load is handled by the bushing and lock nut.

 

[Blackhawk]

Some junkyards / recyclers have an “electronic gun” that gives them composition of metals as they need to know what they are buying/selling, I’ve seen them used, not sure how accurate...BUT they don’t spend that kind of money to get something that doesn’t work.

If it's an XRF gun they're very accurate. It wouldn't matter in this case, but they sometimes come up with the right composition but the wrong alloy due to the overlap in component tolerances between grades.