So, I have these invisible knobs...

[EBK]

I'm really thinking about using these invisible knobs on my MBP Archibald build, and I wanted to get some opinions.  Am I crazy?  Does anyone else think they look good here?  The controls are quite tightly spaced, and visible knobs just seemed too crowded.


Thoughts?

[John Lyons]

I like them if you cut down the set screws.
There are a ton of cool small diameter knobs though.

[EBK]

I like them if you cut down the set screws.
There are a ton of cool small diameter knobs though.

The set screw sort of acts like a pointer.  I could add a paint dot for that purpose though.

Do you have any links for super-narrow knobs for 1/4-in. shaft pots?

[davent]

I like  them as well but like John would trim the set screws and add a marker to the top edge of the brass. How thin a knob are you looking for, as there's lots of 1/2" options. Same coloured knobs as the enclosure would blend together and the tightness wouldn't be as noticeable. I think i saw someone some time ago now talking about a synth supplier in the UK with a collection tiny knobs.

Maybe a layer a heatshrink,  or one of the plastic dips for tool handles and the like.

[EBK]

I like  them as well but like John would trim the set screws and add a marker to the top edge of the brass.

I'm seriously considering this.  I may test filing down one of the screws later.

How thin a knob are you looking for, as there's lots of 1/2" options.

I can tolerate Davies 1900 knobs if I have to.  They slightly taper, which makes them look smaller than other 0.5-in. knobs.

Maybe a layer a heatshrink,  or one of the plastic dips for tool handles and the like.

Also considering this. I have plenty of heatshrink, and I have a couple cans of Plasti Dip.  Another material I'm thinking about is polymer clay.

[John Lyons]

Here are some. (They will be restocked soon)

https://www.taydaelectronics.com/hardware/knobs/black-knob-13-5-x-11mm-shaft-hole-6-4-mm.html
https://www.taydaelectronics.com/hardware/knobs/plastic-oxblood-knob-15-x-13mm-shaft-hole-6-4-mm.html
https://www.taydaelectronics.com/hardware/knobs/kn1250-knob-black.html
https://www.taydaelectronics.com/hardware/knobs/91640-dup-knob-davies-1900h-clone-black.html
There are a few spline shaft options that could be made into smooth shaft also.
Some of these are available at Mouser etc also.

[EBK]

Here is a Davies 1900 next to an invisible knob with a white dot indicator.

I think I prefer the Davies knob, which keeps things simpler, anyway.  The white dot doesn't really stand out enough, and I wouldn't want to use black.  So, at this moment, I think my plan is to put the invisible knobs away and order some black Davies knobs.

Edit: I could maybe glue a bump of some kind to the brass instead of the paint dot.  Maybe a tiny stub of brass wire.  Hmm....

[GibsonGM]

With set screws cut, I think they'd look good in a steam punk kind of setting.

[EBK]

Here's something fun:  heatshrink tubing and a black walnut fretboard inlay dot.

[EBK]

With set screws cut, I think they'd look good in a steam punk kind of setting.

True.  They'd also benefit from a smaller enclosure, I think.  This one is a 1590BBS.

[eh la bas ma]

I like the invisible knobs, they're more original, in my opinion.  You could try to trim the screws, make them short enough to have a small cavity in the screw hole; then fill it with something noticeable, acting as a marker...but it will be more tidious to unscrew them. You could also use the heatshrink to thicken the pot and get rid of screws. I do that with knobs too big for the pot. I would try a small piece of photo-sensitive plastic paper inside the holes, it will reflect the light, marking the position.

Depends on how far you are willing to go for style and originality ?

[ElectricDruid]

The Eurorack synth world is full of these 9mm trimmer things at the moment:

https://www.thonk.co.uk/product-category/parts/pot/9mm/9mm-trimmer-pots/

It's just a pot shaft with some grip and a pointer stripe. Allows you to increase the knob density on your module and get more features on there (<cynical>instead of making the effort of working out what's really important and only including that</cynical>). The same things turn up on pedals too, especially for 1590As.

[davent]

I have some 1/2" that i bought from Mouser which i like much better then the Davies, black matt finish, look tougher and less plasticy, now to find the Mouser part and see if they still sell them.

Found the Mouser bag, Eagle,  P/N 450-2023-GRX... obsolete... lucky break, these are them.

https://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/Shin-Chin/PN-37-6.4?qs=T3oQrply3y%252BUlIrU%2F9bSGQ%3D%3D

[davent]

Just another thought, i like the results i get when i use Gun Metal Bluing on brass, i'd give that a try on those inserts, see how i liked that.

[bartimaeus]

https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/micro-knobs/
https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/tall-trimmer-toppers/

[bluebunny]

Here's a picture to go with the Thonk micro-knob suggestion:



I've used them in some Eurorack builds and they're pretty neat.  They slide over a T18 shaft.  I have a couple of old overcrowded 1590A builds that would benefit from a re-knobbing.

[EBK]

I have used the micro knobs on a build before.  I think they look best when the pots are not panel mounted, like this:

[duck_arse]

Here's something fun:  heatshrink tubing and a black walnut fretboard inlay dot.

no one else commented, so I will. I like this one. it would be more nicerer if you could add a pearl dot for the indicator pointer. too much work is never enough.

[EBK]

Here's something fun:  heatshrink tubing and a black walnut fretboard inlay dot.

no one else commented, so I will. I like this one. it would be more nicerer if you could add a pearl dot for the indicator pointer. too much work is never enough.

Here is an improvement.  Small brass nailhead as an indicator.  I knew my tiny drill bits would be useful someday!

[davent]

You can also get thin walled brass tubing that you might sheath the brass insert with, make a cap of some sort for the top end like you've done with the heatshrink and fret marker.