Shift boot template

[lesingepsycho]

I don't know if it's because I'm inherently cheap or inherently crafty (probably a little of both) but I figure a shift boot has got to be about the easiest thing to make from scratch on these cars. I'm sure I could make one without a template but I also figured I'm probably not the first one to think of doing so and therefore, somebody may already have a template.

JACK

 

[bthompson]

As luck would have it, my boot is starting to unravel at the seams. I was gonna re-stitch it this weekend; I'll rip the seams out, fold it flat, and measure out a pattern for you if ya want.

 

[lesingepsycho]

SWEET! That would be great! That's exactly what I was looking for. I would really appreciate it! Thanks Bill,

JACK

 

[bthompson]

No worries. Measured drawing forthcoming. :thumbsup:

 

[paulsherman]

Jack;
I may have one. Seems like I have seen one in my boxes of stuff. I have 2 Bugeyes. Don't think they need one. Correct?

 

[jlaird]

BEs do not have a shift boot, they have a rubber peice that fits into the hole.

 

[bthompson]

Here's the shift gaiter pattern for you...
Here's how everything fits together.
Since I dyed it, it's really easy to see where the seams are.

Depending on how easy it is to scale your printer,
you may just be able to print this out full-size and have an instant pattern...

If not, here's a "tailor's draft" of the patterns so you can draw it up.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Gaiter:</span>

A to B is 7 9/16
A to C is 3 5/8
Square out C to D 9 1/4
A to E is 5/8
A to F is 2 3/4
Make curve EFB
Square out A to G 1 1/2
Make line EG
Make line GD
G to H is 3 1/2
Square down H to I 1/2
Make curve GID
C to J is 7 5/8
Square down J to K 1 7/8
Square out B to L 2 3/4
Make line KL
Square down M to N 1/4
Make curve BNL
C to O is 6 3/16
Square up O to P 1 1/8
Make arc PK to PD
Side seam allowances are 1/4
Bottom seam allowance is 3/8
Make foldover tab at top.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Surround:</span>

A to B is 9 1/2
A to C is 1 3/8
A to D is 1 1/2
A to E is 8
A to F is 8 1/8
Square out C to G 2
Square out E to H 2
Square out A to I 3 3/4
Square down I to J 7 1/4
Square out B to K 1/2
Make line JK
A to L is 1 1/2
I to M is 2 1/4
Make line LM
L to N is 1/4
M to P is 1/4
L to O is 1 1/2
Square out O to Q 3/8
I to U is 3 3/8
Make line ANQPU
J to R is 1/2
J to S is 2
Square out S to T 1/4
I to V is 5 1/4
Make line VRTK
Make curve DF 1 1/2 from line ANQPUVRTK
Edge seam allowance is 1/4
Interior seam allowance is 3/16.

Hope this helps, Jack. Cheers!

 

[lesingepsycho]

That's awesome Bill! Thanks. That's PERFECT! Getting ready to leave for a Bday party but I'm sure I'll be gettin' to this some time this weekend. :laugh:

JACK

 

[Guest]

You rock Bill, good job!

 

[lesingepsycho]

Ok guys, here's the latest on this one. Tonight, with instructions from my wife, I completed the one and only carbon fiber shift boot! I learned how to sew in the process and I did the project 100% by myself (with my wife giving pointers over my shoulder of course). Turned out great! Even better than the picture shows. Thanks again!

JACK

 

[JPSmit]

good job! wouldn't have thought of carbon fibre for an LBC but, very neat! (also looks a little like the sorting hat) I'm Gryffindor.

 

[Guest]

Just don't use any resin....

 

[Rik]

I hope you used nylon thread. Cotton thread doesn't last long around heat.
Rik

 

[Colin8]

Carbon fiber looks cool, but is not a good material for a shift boot. The fibers are very brittle and break off when flexed so I would think this material would degrade pretty fast as a shift boot. The weave is also not that tight, so hot engine air will flow through the fabric. The rigid nature of the fibers is what makes carbon fiber composites so stiff and strong when saturated with resin. Makes me wonder what would happen if you encapsulated carbon fabric in a thin layer of transparent silicone???

 

[Morris]

I did my shift boot recently, and while I was at the fabric store I found a vinyl that looks like carbon fibre. Something to consider if you like that look.

 

[v8mgbal]

Just a thought. what if you sprayed the inside with scotchguard like you use on a tent.

 

[lesingepsycho]

Ok. So you guys more or less guessed it. Colin8, I was aware of the drawbacks to carbon fiber as a fabric (having tried other things unsuccessfully in the past) like its desire to stretch, skew, and unweave itself. Kellysguy makes the obvious point that it can't be impregnated (unless you want a 1-speed transmission).

So what is the solution? I used a vinyl backer which I adhered the carbon fiber to using a spray on contact adhesive. I was also concerned about the migration of fumes and "oily residues" coming through the shift boot area so I chose a more or less waterproof vinyl backing. I did some test runs first because I wasn't sure how well the carbon would stick to the vinyl. It was pretty successful so I went ahead and made the pieces. Then it was just a matter of getting my wife to show me how to use the sewing machine.

Only thing I would change is to use a lighter weight vinyl backing next time. Once it is layered with the carbon it is pretty stiff and it creases a little funny.

JACK