[sdiy] DIY knobs

[Rykhaard D.A.M.I.A.N.]

On 2/22/06, Karl Ekdahl <elektrodwarf at yahoo.se> wrote:
> Hi all, i've been trying for the last couple of days
> to make my own DIY knobs from a piece of wooden shaft.
> It seems extremely hard to me to be able to (without a
> drill stand) drill the holes straight enough to make
> the "knob" not be visibly skewed. Does anyone have any
> tips?

Having a drill press, to me, is a major need for this. :O  I've been
using my drill press for making wooden knobs, as well as cork knobs. 
It's very hard still, to get it perfectly centered.  Without the wood
/ cork being supported properly, there's also the possibility of the
bit, skewing it, so that the hole becomes at an angle. :(

I'm living with it, myself, though. ;)

One problem I've had - is with my rotary switches.  A semi-decent
solution that I found, was to slot the shaft and put a piece of PC
board, across the hole of the cork knob (thin edge standing up) and
then pressing the cork knob down onto the shaft, so that the PC board
is in the slot.  Some of the corks are still minorly loose, but they
don't slip at all, any more. :)

As far as slipping of these types of knobs goes - I'm thinking of
putting a piece of silicone surgical glove, over the shaft, and THEN
putting the knob over it.  That'll help grip both materials, to
prevent sliding.

> I was thinking of maybe use latex if wood isn't
> working. Any good tips on easy-to-come-by industrial
> latex or equivalent(s) that will work with a
> clay/plaster mold?
>
> Karl

How about plaster of paris?  The type with glass fibre in it, for
extra durability?  that way, you could create your mould, paint rubber
mold making material around it; let it dry, remove it, and then pour
the plast. of paris into it - and there ya'are. :)  New knob. :)

I've thought of using epoxy (the type for sealing components in) for
this, as well.

I really like the look of the cork knobs though, and so far - am
sticking with them. :)

--
Take care,
Warmth and Peace,
Ryk

http://deathlehem.bravehost.com/damian.html - my modular synthesizer,
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