NEW VENDOR- Whalen Shift Machine custom shift knobs!
Dec 14, 2008, 01:17 PM
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NEW VENDOR- Whalen Shift Machine custom shift knobs!
Hello, EvoM!
I would like to introduce myself.
My name is Doug Whalen, and I'm a long-time maker of custom-engraved stainless steel aftermarket shift knobs.
My niche market for years has been BMW and MINI Cooper, though I've made several custom knobs for Mitsubishi, Miata, Honda and Toyota owners.
A little background information: my "day job" is industrial machine work; I've owned a one-man tool & die job shop for twenty-two years now, and shift knobs have been a fun sideline for me, for nearly seven years.
After making and selling several thousand knobs (and now, matching e-brake handles!), I've decided to delve more into these products, while still striving to keep my industrial customers satisfied.
Toward that end, I've now become an official vendor on this forum!
A few admissions; I've been a toolmaker for thirty years, but I definitely am NOT much of a photographer, website manager, or PR guy.
I'm not even a "salesman" by nature, though I do my best to hang onto the reputation of excellent customer service that I've built over the years.
I have to apologize for the lack of Evo info on my website.
I'm currently trying to build a fire under the guy who put my site together for me; hopefully, we'll have some Evo information put up soon. (Either that, or I'll soon have a new website guy!)
For now, please e-mail, PM, phone or FAX me with your inquiries, and I'll address them promptly.
My website is www.whalenshiftmachine.com and you'll find contact info there, as well as a gallery showing a few examples of some of the custom CNC engraving that I've done.
There are a couple members of this forum who have my shift knobs installed; a search for "whalen" will help locate their posts.
For now, here is a quick shot of one of my non-engraved Evo knobs. I've designed them to mate cleanly with the Evo shift boot.
Naturally, the knobs are drilled and tapped to fit the shift lever perfectly.
Naturally, custom engraving is available with my Evo knobs. And as with all of my customers, I will work closely with you during the design phase, until you are completely satisfied and ready for me to push the "magic green button"!
With the engraved knobs, I add a 1/4-20 stainless steel brass-tipped set screw in the ball, down near the stem. It's located in the front of the knob, so as to be out sight when installed.
I look forward to getting to know the Evo community, and supplying owners with shift knobs of unmatched quality, coupled with my usual 100% satisfaction guarantee.
-Doug Whalen
Whalen Machine Inc.
I would like to introduce myself.
My name is Doug Whalen, and I'm a long-time maker of custom-engraved stainless steel aftermarket shift knobs.
My niche market for years has been BMW and MINI Cooper, though I've made several custom knobs for Mitsubishi, Miata, Honda and Toyota owners.
A little background information: my "day job" is industrial machine work; I've owned a one-man tool & die job shop for twenty-two years now, and shift knobs have been a fun sideline for me, for nearly seven years.
After making and selling several thousand knobs (and now, matching e-brake handles!), I've decided to delve more into these products, while still striving to keep my industrial customers satisfied.
Toward that end, I've now become an official vendor on this forum!
A few admissions; I've been a toolmaker for thirty years, but I definitely am NOT much of a photographer, website manager, or PR guy.
I'm not even a "salesman" by nature, though I do my best to hang onto the reputation of excellent customer service that I've built over the years.
I have to apologize for the lack of Evo info on my website.
I'm currently trying to build a fire under the guy who put my site together for me; hopefully, we'll have some Evo information put up soon. (Either that, or I'll soon have a new website guy!)
For now, please e-mail, PM, phone or FAX me with your inquiries, and I'll address them promptly.
My website is www.whalenshiftmachine.com and you'll find contact info there, as well as a gallery showing a few examples of some of the custom CNC engraving that I've done.
There are a couple members of this forum who have my shift knobs installed; a search for "whalen" will help locate their posts.
For now, here is a quick shot of one of my non-engraved Evo knobs. I've designed them to mate cleanly with the Evo shift boot.
Naturally, the knobs are drilled and tapped to fit the shift lever perfectly.
Naturally, custom engraving is available with my Evo knobs. And as with all of my customers, I will work closely with you during the design phase, until you are completely satisfied and ready for me to push the "magic green button"!
With the engraved knobs, I add a 1/4-20 stainless steel brass-tipped set screw in the ball, down near the stem. It's located in the front of the knob, so as to be out sight when installed.
I look forward to getting to know the Evo community, and supplying owners with shift knobs of unmatched quality, coupled with my usual 100% satisfaction guarantee.
-Doug Whalen
Whalen Machine Inc.
Last edited by Doug W; Dec 14, 2008 at 01:45 PM.
Dec 14, 2008, 01:40 PM
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Definitely!!
The only difference real between my BMW/MINI knobs and the Evo ones is the attachment fitting (of my own design) that's required for the shift levers on those cars.
The same material and machining quality, along with the same surface finish and customization options, will apply for Evo!
The only difference real between my BMW/MINI knobs and the Evo ones is the attachment fitting (of my own design) that's required for the shift levers on those cars.
The same material and machining quality, along with the same surface finish and customization options, will apply for Evo!
Dec 14, 2008, 01:46 PM
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Dec 14, 2008, 03:15 PM
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http://thewhalenshiftmachine.shutterfly.com/
Unfortunately, with the software that I use, I can only engrave on the line; I can't carve out solid figures.
My stainless steel Evo knobs are priced at $100.00 each. Engraving is a flat $20.00 charge, assuming that I can draw the design myself.
If the design is too complex for me to draw (examples; cartoon characters, logos, etc) I require a DXF file, for programming purposes.
I can have any type of image file converted to DXF by a graphic artist who I have a connection with.
The conversion costs me $20.00, and I pass that charge along to the customer.
Dec 14, 2008, 03:21 PM
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That said, I recently began offering e-brake handles in stainless AND aluminum (not for Evo yet, though).
If I get enough interest in my aluminum e-brake handles, maybe I can include some shift knobs with a batch of anodizing.
I'll probably just be doing them in black; no other colors planned, at this point in time.
Dec 14, 2008, 03:35 PM
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FWIW, here is a picture of the stainless steel e-brake handle and knob from my MINI (sorry, it's not really my intention to keep mentioning other makes; I just don't have access to an Evo. No offense intended!) 
I'll have to order an Evo e-brake lever and see what it'll take to fit a handle to it, properly.
After that, I'll need to find a Guinea Pig to try one out.
I'll have to order an Evo e-brake lever and see what it'll take to fit a handle to it, properly.
After that, I'll need to find a Guinea Pig to try one out.
Dec 14, 2008, 05:27 PM
#11
I've been working to bring Doug to the site for some time now. I utilized Mr. Whalen's talents in making a custom shift knob for my girlfriend's new Mini S this Fall and was so impressed I began relentlessly planting the seed for him to expand his product line to the Evolution community, specifically bringing him on board as a vendor here on Evom.net.
Just recently Doug and I finally had time in our busy lives to get together on mocking up a knob for the Evo. After test fitting a blank for him on my '03 we began working on designs. You just have to see Doug's work in person to believe the level of intricacy and detail his skills and machinery allow for. Also the knobs weigh in at over a pound. Shifting with this knob is simply effortless, especially in comparison with my old ARC titanium knob
Here are some pics of ours:
Just recently Doug and I finally had time in our busy lives to get together on mocking up a knob for the Evo. After test fitting a blank for him on my '03 we began working on designs. You just have to see Doug's work in person to believe the level of intricacy and detail his skills and machinery allow for. Also the knobs weigh in at over a pound. Shifting with this knob is simply effortless, especially in comparison with my old ARC titanium knob
Here are some pics of ours:
Last edited by mitsuorder; Dec 14, 2008 at 10:19 PM.
Dec 15, 2008, 06:01 AM
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A few other things...
Occasionally, I make knobs out of billiard ***** (engraved and non-engraved).
I can also turn custom shapes, such as this tall "handle" type, out of Delrin, aluminum or stainless steel.
Occasionally, I make knobs out of billiard ***** (engraved and non-engraved).
I can also turn custom shapes, such as this tall "handle" type, out of Delrin, aluminum or stainless steel.
