New wood enclosure finished, fat gnat and colorsound inductorless wah

[bancika]

well, I've got different approach. To start with square profile rod (for instance 30cm long, 2x2cm base) and drill set screw holes in that phase. Than take rod to carpenter who has tool to make it cylindric in a few seconds. Cut it to desired lengths, drill 1/4" pot holes and it's done. I hope I wasn't too vague 
If you like black you could get ebony. Stewmac has some finished ebony knobs but they are over 3$ piece. I think that black stained maple could look cool. Anyway, I'll try that technique very soon (maybe this weekend) and get back with results.
Cheers

[John Lyons]

Yes, that seems like it will work. The only problem is getting the sets screws to not strip the wood. The brass inserts provide a metal to metal threading that is a lot stronger than the set screw into bare wood. Maybe if you used a course thread pitch there would be more area for the threads to grab onto and it would not strip out.

I look forward to what you come up with Bancika!

[bancika]

well, the thing with threads and wood is to make smaller hole than screw, it should be smaller just a bit - about the same as threads are deep. First time you try to screw it (up) it will go harder but screw itself will make threads inside wood, it's nice idea to use some kind of lubrincant, like soap to make things easier. Next time you screw it it will just follow old threads without making mess. It's the same techinque that's done on guitar necks...they don't have metal inserts either and yet stand much greater force of strings. Of course, you can't do this on some kinds of wood because they are too hard and brittle, like ebony
Cheers

[ehofherr]

  Hello, I'm a cabinetmaker.  I have experimented with this idea.  There are 2 ways I've successfully used wooden knobs on shafts.

#1 Using extremely small screws, drill a hole into the knob, and into the shaft.  The hole in the knob must be slightly larger then the shaft hole.  You will run the screw through the knob and into the shaft.  Tight fit, but a tendancy to wobble slightly over time.

#2 (The most successful, but more time consuming) Using a rotary tool, cut grooves into the shaft.  It should resemble a knurled guitar pot's shaft.  Drill the correct sized stopped hole into the knob using a forstner bit. Press the knob onto the shaft.  Extremely tight fit.

  I've also thought about using epoxy.  You'd have to slightly rough up the pot's shaft.  Drill a stopped hole into the knob, pour the epoxy in.  Set the knobs onto the shafts and turn upside-down.  Pots last a long time, you won't be using a hammer on the pedal, not likely to break.  You'd better be sure of your choice of parts before trying this.

  Another method would be to create threads.  Using a die, cut threads on the shaft.  Drill a stopped hole inb the knob.  Using a stopped-bottom tap, cut threads into the knob.  Put a dot of hot glue in the knob, and twist it onto the shaft.

  I hope this helps either with tried-and-true methods, or with ideas to build on.

  Awesome-looking pedal by the way.  Excellent craftsmanship!

[John Lyons]

ehofherr

Thanks for the insight. Those are some good ideas. I'm not sure about adding a lot more work to something that takes a lot of work already but in theory I'm already there!
Drilling a pilot hole through the knob and into the shaft and then using a set screw partially into the shaft seems doable. Maybe even adding a little hot glue to take up the slop inside...

John