Knobs: Knurled vs. Set Screwed

[zpyder]

Personally, using knurled knobs on a knurled shaft seems like the way to go... The pointer is always pointing where it's supposed to, and they require no tools to put on or take off.  I find it kind of odd that so many set-screwed knobs are out there and that people use smotoh shafts... Don't you have problems with the pointers getting screwy?

cheers,
zpyder

[Seljer]

I prefer set screwed, with the knurled ones I've had the little grooves always fall in just slightly out place from being centered on perfectly.

[The Tone God]

The truth is that set screw knobs are not really meant for smooth shafts but "D" shafts where the set screw would screw against the flat spot securely and pointing in the right direction. They just happen to work with smooth shaft as well so people use them.

Andrew

[markm]

I'm old school so, I prefer set screw knobs.
Suppose one could file a flat into a smooth shaft for better performance but, I 've never had a problem.
A little bit of loc-tite blue could help too.

[Seljer]

actually, the only thing that really bugs me is that space between the knobs and the pedal (espescially when using small knobs) is there any way to get rid of that? or do you just need specific knobs that cover it up?

[MetalUpYerEye]

+1 for smooth shaft pots and set screw knobs. I've always had the same problem with knurled shaft pots when I can et them; they never point exactly in the right direction. My Strat has knurled shaft pots in it and they drive me up the wall trying to get them to point the way I want them to. Guess i'm just an extreme perfectionist.

As for filing a flat spot into a smooth shaft, funny you should bring it up but i've done it many times! Just stick the shaft part of the pot into a vice from the side with whatever you want to file off sticking just above the top of the vice. Then file until its flush with the vice, shouldn't damage the vice. I know mines been through hacksaws, backsaws, 5 or 6 files, hand saws, hammers, chisels and probably every other hand tool imaginable.

Seljer, for the space in between the pedals; try putting an additional nut or possibly a few washers over the pot shaft before putting it in the pedal. That should lower the shafts and minimize any gap between your knobs and the pedal. If the smooth part of the shaft is too long, try putting it in the vice with the top of the shaft sticking out (rather than the side) and filing/hacksawing away the part you dont want.

A word of warning...

If you're going to be barbaric, be gentle. 

[soggybag]

I hate seeing the nut below a small knob also. On this effect I filed the nut down to a rigng that would fit under the skirt of the knob.

[Pushtone]

actually, the only thing that really bugs me is that space between the knobs and the pedal (espescially when using small knobs) is there any way to get rid of that? or do you just need specific knobs that cover it up?

I agree that gap between the bottom of the knob and the top of the box looks ugly.

I'm using the Alpha 16mm D shaft pots and I have to dremel a little off the top
of the D shaft to get the set screw type knobs to sit nice and low.

I also use knurled type knobs with the D shaft pots by drilling out the inside of the knob with a 1/4" drill bit.
With the knurled knobs I get I don't have to cut off the top of the shaft to get them this low...

[markm]

actually, the only thing that really bugs me is that space between the knobs and the pedal (espescially when using small knobs) is there any way to get rid of that? or do you just need specific knobs that cover it up?

Agreed.
I sometimes use the washer trick but the filing idea is a good one, especially if the board has to rest against the back of the pots and that extra 16th of an inch caused by the washer doesn't allow the cover to fit 

[jeffy]

I hate seeing the nut below a small knob also. On this effect I filed the nut down to a rigng that would fit under the skirt of the knob.

So if the pot goes bad, then how do you change it?

[soggybag]

I filed the nuts down BEFORE I put them on. I tightened them down with some needlenose pliars. So I suppose I would take them off with the needlenose pliars again.

The nuts now fit under the skirt of the knob. Which, in my opinion, look a lot better then when stick out underneath.

[Gilles C]

I prefer set screws. I try to locate the screw on the pot so that the screw gets into the slot of the kurled shafts.

And I love Tele knobs with a screw because  they hide the nut well.

Gilles