knob inserts?

[colorbars]

Does anyone know where you can buy plastic inserts/bushings for making your own knobs?

Thanks!

[smallbearelec]

Does anyone know where you can buy plastic inserts/bushings for making your own knobs?

As far as making your own knobs, it has been done using Bondo and similar epoxy filler-resins. I have taken plastic bottle caps and filled them with Bondo to create "buttons" that could also be the basis for knobs. But I don't know of any manufacturer that will sell set screws, bushings, etc., separately. I can't see why they would want to, since most customers want a complete, attractive, reliable part.

What did you have in mind to do?

[Jaicen_solo]

Actually, that's something i've been looking for myself to reproduce old knobs off a GR300 and TR808. They're unobtainium now.

[colorbars]

I'm looking to make some wooden knobs and I've notices when looking at custom made ones they just seem to have been drilled out and had a plastic fluted bushing glued in place.

[R.G.]

1. Buy cheap plastic knobs which have brass inserts like you want.
2. Break/cut away the cheap plastic, leaving the insert.
3. Mold/cast your knob around the inserts.
4. Relax and contemplate while the stuff sets up.
5. Take the rest of the day off. You've earned it.

[smallbearelec]

Picking up on R. G.'s suggestion: For an insert for a wooden knob, maybe start with one of these:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=1037

They are inexpensive and have the brass insert and set screw. You might not even have to take the knob apart; maybe just bore a suitable-size cavity in the wooden "button," fill partly with Bondo and press the knob in place. You'd have to work out a way to protect the hole for the set screw, but I think that could be managed.

[davent]

I've used machines screws to construct small wood projects and just drill and tap the wood to accept the screw. I've used screws as small as 4/40's and 6/32's with success and considering you don't really need to crank down the screw to hold the knob to the pot shaft you might get away with this using a nice solid hard wood for the knob and the correct orientation of threads to grain direction. To further re-inforce the thread drip some super glue onto the freshly cut threads, let it dry then run the tap down through again to trim it up neat again.

dave