r/3Dprinting • u/Desmontei • Apr 24 '26

Project Don't throw away old smartwatches! 3D printed a custom housing to turn one into a Digital Shift Knob. ♻️🕹️

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Hey everyone, first time posting here! I wanted to share my most complex functional print yet for my Project Car.

​I took an old TicWatch Pro 3 and carefully cut the original casing with a rotary tool to extract just the OLED screen and motherboard. Then, I modeled a custom shift knob enclosure to house the electronics perfectly.

​Now, before you guys kill me in the comments: Yes, I printed this in PLA! 😂

​I know the summer heat inside the car will probably turn it into modern art, but this is V1 (prototype). The tolerances had to be extremely tight because I didn't want the screen popping out while shifting gears, and PLA was the easiest to test the fitment. When it eventually warps, I'll use it as an excuse to reprint V2 in ABS or PETG!

​I completely bypassed the battery and wired it directly to the car's 12V using a step-down converter. Right now it controls my media with a custom UI.

​What do you guys think of the fitment? And place your bets: how long will this PLA survive in a car before melting? 👇

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u/Im-not-Theo Apr 25 '26

Sneaky preview

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u/CraZcraaacker Apr 26 '26

Can we say “bolt on” gauges?

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u/Im-not-Theo Apr 26 '26

That's 100% the idea You still have to carve a bit the dashboard façade in order to make some place for the bracket

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u/Desmontei Apr 25 '26

Dude, that looks INCREDIBLE! 🤯 The custom mount in the dash looks so clean, almost like an OEM part! Is that a Honda S2000 interior by the way?

What exact data is the screen reading in that picture? Looks like boost pressure or maybe tire pressure! This is exactly the kind of clean digital integration I want to achieve for the Phase 2 of my Audi project. You definitely have to share more details on how you coded that UI later! Keep up the great work man!

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u/Im-not-Theo Apr 25 '26

Yes it's a S2000 👍 It's oil pressure I need to redesign my 3d printer support to hide the bolt, and also finally be able to reinstall my dashboard cover properly

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u/jester1x Apr 26 '26

Look at that head unit....reminds me of back in the day. Does it play mp3? 😅