Not complaining, just subscribing. Must've been that restoration of an old oil dispenser and a car jack I watched. *Edit* The first one was this one: th-cam.com/video/R5r8_79x3Z0/w-d-xo.html and the second one was on the same channel.
The spring-loaded knob for D-shaft controls was a popular design in the 30s and 40s. Just about every manufacturer used them, especially RCA. The design was for Bakelite because of its unique properties. It would not do well with setscrews unless the threaded element was a metal insert. It just stripped too easily. But it was quite stable otherwise. Hence the design. It would hold well. Manufacturers had to change designs after the switch to injection-molded plastic. If put under the stress of a spring for long terms they tended to crack or split. So they had to be re-designed. Some used sheet steel inserts that contained their own spring pressure. Setscrews made a comeback (they had been used on the wooden knobs of the 20s with threaded inserts.) Thanks for showing an easy way to copy these things. Many don't know this can be done.
That's Brilliant! I want to change everything with a knob on it to these, volume in the car, diming switches, and so on. I think you're on to something there Wesley!
My father in law made several knobs for antique radios. This is one good method. He also built his own injection molding machine. He machined his own does, and made an injector out of a screw type hydraulic ram from an air stair from an aircraft wrecking yard. He also cast knobs like these. Cool stuff!
Quite possibly the greatest TH-cam video I've ever watched. I stopped to think for a few seconds to make sure that statement was correct but, yeah, greatest TH-cam video I've ever seen. And I've seen a bunch.
I was that smug ass who thought he could tell which one it was and i was so wrong. That really freaking cool, i need to learn how to cast thing, that seem fun.
I built myself a 3D printer specifically to make replacements for unobtainable antique radio knobs, but I'll happily print anything that isn't a weapon. Keep our technological history alive! Next up: I am going to 3D print the parts to make a 3D scanner so I can "photocopy" a knob to make a replacement. I love and applaud what you are doing here. If you can figure out where to put a couple of vacuum tubes on a 3D printer, I'm into doing that. It will give a whole new meaning to the phrase "My printer is warming up". :)
Those Philcos are some over-engineered knobs! I cast and mold lots of details and knobs for vintage and antique sewing machines and furniture. I love Smooth-On products and their customer/technical service is unsurpassed.
Excellent video! ive been tired of the same old maker videos, with the music and the editing always the similar. You get a nice a up close feel, with no music, and you are genuine with your commentary! Love it! Also I too am a fan of old electronics and especially knobs
Yeah, the restoration videos are the worst. No narration, fast forward, lots of rapid hammer tapping and wire brushing.. Only thing worse is the robot narrator videos.
Wow! I have often wanted to replace a knob on a piece of equipment, but having worked in an injection molding factory, I know how they were made, and I never though that this could be done without the proper tooling. I am really impressed! Thanks for a great video.
Positive crazy hobby and very good way to resolve missing knob issue... man... you`re craziest hobbyst that I`ve ever seen... peace man, do what you love
Very nice. It's hard to believe how nice these parts come out. I was going to comment that you should 3d print the knobs but this technique is much better.
Thank you for showing this. I know now how to clone knobs for my vintage RCA radio and record player. You mentioned you had a "collection.' Please take a couple of minutes and show them. I would love to see what you have done and what you have. Again, Thanks.
I've got an RCA tombstone radio. It was missing the guts and sitting at the curb in great shape. I snatched it up and put my modern stereo in it. It's so cool.
This looks like a perfect job for 3d printing. Not the knobs themselves - those copies are far better than that - but for the knob fixing. Drill out a larger hole in the knob (say 10mm rather than 6mm) and print a small cylindrical part that has whichever complex shaped hole you want. Glue B into A.
@@shanerussell7335 ehm ... and how do you get the post out again once the resin has cured :) It won't be like the flexible liquid silicone mold and will totally be 'glued' in there.
@@xConundrumx True. A really complicated post would be stuck, but a simple D-shape would come out easily. Put a thin coat of vaseline on it before pouring the epoxy.
@@shanerussell7335 ah that's a really clever idea! Thanks, should make a note of that. Mind you with the little ridges from the layering you probably want to give it a good sanding too I would guess. So the surface is smooth that is.
Brilliant reproduction. Love the tester board too. In addition I like that you are nuts, funny, and you are willing to share knobs with your Brothers. You have earned my subscription fella.
Interesting video, thanks. My brother in law does pretty much the same thing, making knobs and parts. Never watched him work on his projects even though he has been doing it for over 30 years. Again. Thanks for posting this video.
Your video showed up in the recommended videos after Adam Savage's armor build. Frikkin' amazing!! I had no idea makers took things to this level. Liked and subscribed. Cheers from B.C.
You are my new best friend. I have a vintage Grand Stove I've redone and didn't know how to do knobs. I 💘 you man. I'm off to by supplies tomorrow. Even more excited about the idea of doing different colors.
Wow! This was really well done! Both the knobs themselves, but also the How-to video! Just enough information delivered in a playful manner. It is clear you love what you do!
Well, thanks for this video. Now I have a new channel subscribed and a host of new videos to watch. Oh, and a hankering to silicon mold anything and everything in my house.
I started out looking for 3D printed knobs but this video seems the best way. It uses a common sense approach and doesn't make it harder than it has to be. I am restoring a 40's-50'ish stove and one of the knobs was cracked in half and the rest of them have stress cracks and won't take very much use before they crack too. The knobs are odd shaped, thin oval with a point on the side at the off spot. I will try this. I loved HR Pufnstuf and Sigmund. I had a redheaded, witchnosed neighbor whose nickname was Witchiepoo, as an adult in the 90's. Thanks for everything.
Subscribed! I would LOVE to see your process for drilling and installing regular set-screws into the other knobs.. I've been looking for that DIY knob making information for ages, to no avail. This was a great watch - cheers!
The 60's were even better, make a wonder what it was like the previous century, before electricity, cars, airplanes, radio, tv or computers and children had to rely upon their own imagination's. Our medicine and ease of life is no doubt better today, butch think the quality of life, daily living, no processed foods, and the belonging to a community where as a child everyone knew who you were, and who your parents were! We've gained tremendous things, but also lost and given up the same
Very surprised by the match. Never thought epoxy would look like an old phenolic knob. I've been trying to justify the materials and time to learn silicone mold casting; think I just found it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and creativity.
So glad to have found you. I just bought a dresser that is missing a tassel style knob. I'm not sure how to separate the tassel from the base yet to cast it, but your video has inspired me to seek out all vintage knobs to cast them. Thank you so much.
Superb result! Who would know? I love these panels. I was working, re wiring an old substation control relay room. It was full of relay panels, boxes, monitors etc all from the 50's and 60's. I mentioned that I would love cover one wall of my house with them, everybody just looked at me as if i was crazy, 'why?' they asked. Because it would look great! Im glad im not alone!
@@garygerard4290 I do not know if I told you about the 1928 Morgan/MG special that I am building. It is a wooden frame with minimal steel and it is built just like a 20's airplane with no propeller and no wings. here is the original ....th-cam.com/video/W9QMa7AUD-4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=4iaIqa9qrYwkoIbB
Really, really nice work. The quality sensor is HILARIOUS! I absolutely love what I call “dead tech” and I’ll bet you have a splendid collection. Gotta love smooth on products!!! This all reminds me that I have a HUGE art deco mangle that needs a new knob. Gotta check if the missing one has a sibling that I can cast!
Good instruction and very entertaining too. So many videos like these drag on with too much commentary but you mixed the action and narration really well.
Excellent informative video with a great sense of humour too. Top bloke!
Wesley Treat, sir, you are exactly what makes TH-cam so damn cool.
I absolutely love how the silicon picks up the tiny surface scratches and makes the new part look just as worn as the originals - a matching set!
5:41
Need to make a vintage lawnmower gear shift handle. I’m going to try this method .
It’s rare to see a man who likes working with knobs that much!
I collect old test equiptment, radios, gadgets etc... Now I've collected your much needed subscription. Thanks for having me aboard!
That is so clever. Especially sanding down the wooden dowel and installing it for the flat. I learned a few things today. Thank you.
The process was cool but the presentation was a LOT cooler! Thanks for making that so fun!
Brilliant video making. No crappy music, no lacklustre commentary, you clearly know what you're doing and you love doing it. Brilliant!
Not sure why this was in my recommended but I'm not complaining
Me either and me either.
Not complaining, just subscribing.
Must've been that restoration of an old oil dispenser and a car jack I watched.
*Edit*
The first one was this one: th-cam.com/video/R5r8_79x3Z0/w-d-xo.html and the second one was on the same channel.
The spring-loaded knob for D-shaft controls was a popular design in the 30s and 40s. Just about every manufacturer used them, especially RCA. The design was for Bakelite because of its unique properties. It would not do well with setscrews unless the threaded element was a metal insert. It just stripped too easily. But it was quite stable otherwise. Hence the design. It would hold well.
Manufacturers had to change designs after the switch to injection-molded plastic. If put under the stress of a spring for long terms they tended to crack or split. So they had to be re-designed. Some used sheet steel inserts that contained their own spring pressure. Setscrews made a comeback (they had been used on the wooden knobs of the 20s with threaded inserts.)
Thanks for showing an easy way to copy these things. Many don't know this can be done.
You Sr. Are an ARTIST and thank you for sharing
That's Brilliant! I want to change everything with a knob on it to these, volume in the car, diming switches, and so on. I think you're on to something there Wesley!
My father in law made several knobs for antique radios. This is one good method. He also built his own injection molding machine. He machined his own does, and made an injector out of a screw type hydraulic ram from an air stair from an aircraft wrecking yard. He also cast knobs like these. Cool stuff!
Something about the design of these knob-heads makes me think they are of German manufacture. When was this Tube-Tester built?
Quite possibly the greatest TH-cam video I've ever watched. I stopped to think for a few seconds to make sure that statement was correct but, yeah, greatest TH-cam video I've ever seen. And I've seen a bunch.
I have no idea how I ended up watching this... BUT I LOVED IT! Awesome :)
Thank you for this fascinating idea of modelling rare vintage knobs. It works incredibly well!
I was that smug ass who thought he could tell which one it was and i was so wrong. That really freaking cool, i need to learn how to cast thing, that seem fun.
you can tell? no you cant.
*SaitoGray* I could tell that it was the one underneath ! - no I couldn't, I'm just an ass.
i was wondering why the one underneath had a less scratchy look to it
@@michaelkessler3813 no you weren't
Your Grandma oh you false mind readers
I built myself a 3D printer specifically to make replacements for unobtainable antique radio knobs, but I'll happily print anything that isn't a weapon. Keep our technological history alive!
Next up: I am going to 3D print the parts to make a 3D scanner so I can "photocopy" a knob to make a replacement.
I love and applaud what you are doing here.
If you can figure out where to put a couple of vacuum tubes on a 3D printer, I'm into doing that. It will give a whole new meaning to the phrase "My printer is warming up". :)
that turned out way better than i would have expected.
Dude works with resin and drill press and has the most perfect nails I've ever seen. Hows that possible?
Those Philcos are some over-engineered knobs! I cast and mold lots of details and knobs for vintage and antique sewing machines and furniture. I love Smooth-On products and their customer/technical service is unsurpassed.
Wow. That casting was spot on. Nice work.
Wesley you teach me so many useful techniques that I'll never use.... thank you!
That is some very much needed information. Lots of vintage electronic equipment out there needing replacement knobs. Thanks for sharing!
Excellent video! ive been tired of the same old maker videos, with the music and the editing always the similar. You get a nice a up close feel, with no music, and you are genuine with your commentary! Love it! Also I too am a fan of old electronics and especially knobs
What he said^^^^^
Yeah, the restoration videos are the worst. No narration, fast forward, lots of rapid hammer tapping and wire brushing.. Only thing worse is the robot narrator videos.
Facts. 💯
Wow! I have often wanted to replace a knob on a piece of equipment, but having worked in an injection molding factory, I know how they were made, and I never though that this could be done without the proper tooling. I am really impressed! Thanks for a great video.
I usually never get impressed, but I am very impressed, nice work Wesley
I restore older broadcast mixers, this is just what I needed to see. Thanks!
This was so cool! I can't believe how exact it looked.
Superb - I can't believe how good of a copy this is! Excellent result!
Those knobs are little works of art deco loveliness :)
Could the the design of these knob-heads be of German manufacture?
Positive crazy hobby and very good way to resolve missing knob issue... man... you`re craziest hobbyst that I`ve ever seen... peace man, do what you love
wesley you are one absolute spiffing chap just found your channel and I'm totally smitten you are an absolute natural
That is friggin' amazing how well those knobs came out!
As a vintage collector and restorer myself, I find this video to be excellent! Great job and thanks for showing this. Liked and subscribed.
3:23 Something about the design of these knob-heads makes me think they are of German manufacture.
Every knob in kitchen appliances I've seen uses the same flat spring that the antique tube tester has.
That's an amazing comeback!
Man that Tim Sway fella is handsome. Great video, btw. Very well put together. Thanks!!
yeah the guy he circled is very handsome indeed ;-)
polite enough to tell me when to skip to and the clever inside joke on top really tickled me in a way i've never been tickled before
Very nice. It's hard to believe how nice these parts come out. I was going to comment that you should 3d print the knobs but this technique is much better.
This project / video made me so happy.
never seen a video of yours before, I enjoyed more than I thought I would ..thank you. Also I did not skip :)
haha yeah, same here! I even subscribed! I might even learn a thing or two plus a good laugh hasn't killed ... that many people ...
Same here!
What a totally informational and entertaining man. I am impressed by his inventiveness.
Thank you for showing this. I know now how to clone knobs for my vintage RCA radio and record player. You mentioned you had a "collection.' Please take a couple of minutes and show them. I would love to see what you have done and what you have. Again, Thanks.
I've got an RCA tombstone radio. It was missing the guts and sitting at the curb in great shape. I snatched it up and put my modern stereo in it. It's so cool.
That is amazing. Im thoroughly impressed!
That must be a really satisfying to push that new knob down on that old shaft and find that something you just made fits perfectly...Great video!
Finally, a DIY TH-camr with clean, manicured nails! IT'S A MIRACLE!
Thank you for this clear, concise and practical instruction. You give us novices some confidence that we can do it to.
This looks like a perfect job for 3d printing. Not the knobs themselves - those copies are far better than that - but for the knob fixing. Drill out a larger hole in the knob (say 10mm rather than 6mm) and print a small cylindrical part that has whichever complex shaped hole you want. Glue B into A.
Karl Fimm or 3D print a post to put into the mold to create the proper hole.
@@shanerussell7335 ehm ... and how do you get the post out again once the resin has cured :) It won't be like the flexible liquid silicone mold and will totally be 'glued' in there.
@@xConundrumx True. A really complicated post would be stuck, but a simple D-shape would come out easily. Put a thin coat of vaseline on it before pouring the epoxy.
@@shanerussell7335 ah that's a really clever idea! Thanks, should make a note of that. Mind you with the little ridges from the layering you probably want to give it a good sanding too I would guess. So the surface is smooth that is.
@@xConundrumx use pva filament and simply soak your cast knob in warm water to dissolve it
Brilliant reproduction. Love the tester board too. In addition I like that you are nuts, funny, and you are willing to share knobs with your Brothers. You have earned my subscription fella.
Awesome video! I'm really impressed with the result!
That was very crafty, and I thought you're castings were spot on.
Great video! Those look fantastic!
Interesting video, thanks. My brother in law does pretty much the same thing, making knobs and parts. Never watched him work on his projects even though he has been doing it for over 30 years. Again. Thanks for posting this video.
Nice work! Always liked retro knobs like that! I need one of them for something, just don't know what yet!
Very cool .
Finding vintage knobs is one of the more difficult things with antique electronics. This will come in handy for sure.
Your video showed up in the recommended videos after Adam Savage's armor build.
Frikkin' amazing!! I had no idea makers took things to this level. Liked and subscribed.
Cheers from B.C.
You are my new best friend. I have a vintage Grand Stove I've redone and didn't know how to do knobs. I 💘 you man. I'm off to by supplies tomorrow. Even more excited about the idea of doing different colors.
Be sure to watch some Smooth-On tutorial videos for all the details I didn't cover here.
You've got a new fan here. Can't wat to binge watch.
Wow! This was really well done! Both the knobs themselves, but also the How-to video! Just enough information delivered in a playful manner. It is clear you love what you do!
Well, thanks for this video. Now I have a new channel subscribed and a host of new videos to watch. Oh, and a hankering to silicon mold anything and everything in my house.
_Everything?_
One of the better how-to videos on TH-cam - well done!
+ 1 for Sigmund the Sea Monster reference.
There were probably only a handful of people who understood it.
I started out looking for 3D printed knobs but this video seems the best way. It uses a common sense approach and doesn't make it harder than it has to be. I am restoring a 40's-50'ish stove and one of the knobs was cracked in half and the rest of them have stress cracks and won't take very much use before they crack too. The knobs are odd shaped, thin oval with a point on the side at the off spot. I will try this. I loved HR Pufnstuf and Sigmund. I had a redheaded, witchnosed neighbor whose nickname was Witchiepoo, as an adult in the 90's. Thanks for everything.
Wait a second, that wasn't Tim! 😄 Totally doing this for my guitar restore! Great vid!
I think I know what my best friend looks like, David. 😜
Subscribed! I would LOVE to see your process for drilling and installing regular set-screws into the other knobs.. I've been looking for that DIY knob making information for ages, to no avail. This was a great watch - cheers!
Awesome! Well done.
First video ive seen from you! MAN I thought I was the only one that had a love for Restoring every nut bolt and knob! THANK YOU!
I really look forward to WT videos.
I just discovered your channel and I'm very happy. So nice to see a true craftsman in his world. Thank you.
I love the word "minutia".
Maybe one of the best videos on casting I have seen. Even reproduces the scratches and wear. Most appreciated!
Not something I often ask, but what was you using to clean your knob?
Just your run-of-the-mill 409.✨
Wow, this was surprisingly fun to watch. Nice vintage gear you got there!
Spraying a bit of rubbing alcohol on the surface pops all the bubbles instantly...
This sounds interesting -- what you are saying, coat the surface of the knobs with rubbing alcohol? What does that do?
@@Texaca, you didn't watch the video, did you?
But then you couldn't make the fun popping noise... :(
@@Texaca i think he is talking about the bubbles on the green silicone mold. The ones one the knobs are cool because you are cloning an old one.
That was really fun to watch and your enthusiastic creativity is catching.
subscribing SOLELY due to the sigmund and the seamonsters references
Me too. Damn the 70's were a great time to be a kid.
The 60's were even better, make a wonder what it was like the previous century, before electricity, cars, airplanes, radio, tv or computers and children had to rely upon their own imagination's. Our medicine and ease of life is no doubt better today, butch think the quality of life, daily living, no processed foods, and the belonging to a community where as a child everyone knew who you were, and who your parents were! We've gained tremendous things, but also lost and given up the same
Sigmund song and I'm in too! I love it!
The 70s were awesome. I was born in 71. Saturday morning cartoons and pop rocks. Jajajajajajajajajajaja
Very surprised by the match. Never thought epoxy would look like an old phenolic knob.
I've been trying to justify the materials and time to learn silicone mold casting; think I just found it.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and creativity.
... You, my trollish friend, have just gained a new sub👍😂😂😂
This is something I've wanted to try for a very long time. Now that I'm retired I have to give it a try! You make it look so easy! Thank you
Oh, morse code at the end! ❤ .- - - = wt (nerdy) , old radio operator...
You're the first person to notice!
QSL that.
Problem is I thought the T was a bit short. So almost WE. Was it done by hand or with a keyer?
@@mbaker335 Probably translation software, don't you think? QTH? QTH Lund, Sweden.
So glad to have found you. I just bought a dresser that is missing a tassel style knob. I'm not sure how to separate the tassel from the base yet to cast it, but your video has inspired me to seek out all vintage knobs to cast them. Thank you so much.
I just looked up "Sigmond the sea monster" . I was born in 1964 so how did I miss that?
I was born years after you and remember watching it every Saturday morning. Those were the days...
Superb result! Who would know? I love these panels. I was working, re wiring an old substation control relay room. It was full of relay panels, boxes, monitors etc all from the 50's and 60's. I mentioned that I would love cover one wall of my house with them, everybody just looked at me as if i was crazy, 'why?' they asked. Because it would look great! Im glad im not alone!
Surgery on a jellyfish! YMMD, thank you.
It's always nice to view the work of a craftsman.
5:43, like surgery on a grape
exactly what I was thinking.
Absolutely Brilliant work my friend!!!..I couldn't tell which one was the new one either....-John
wow, too damm cool
you'd make a good neighbor!
@@garygerard4290 Absolutely my friend!!I am in Pennsylvania..Where are you located??
@@garygerard4290 I do not know if I told you about the 1928 Morgan/MG special that I am building. It is a wooden frame with minimal steel and it is built just like a 20's airplane with no propeller and no wings. here is the original ....th-cam.com/video/W9QMa7AUD-4/w-d-xo.htmlsi=4iaIqa9qrYwkoIbB
You’re funny I subbed
+1
There is a ton of useful ideas in your video. After watching this, I know I will be a better maker and TH-camr. Thanks a million!!
I thought I was the only one who sings Sigmund the sea monster theme song
I do 'Clutch Cargo'.
Must have been living under a rock because I'm aware of Tim Sway but not this channel! The funnies are on point, I subscribed!!!
HAHA - I'm one of the 4 viewers that actually got the Sid and Marty Krofft joke...
Wow that's amazing! Thanks for teaching us knuckleheads something today!
This is Fantastic! I've been 3-D printing knobs for my own projects... but this is just SO much better!
Thanks for posting this. I also have a passion for old school electrical and electronic gadgets.
Awesome! Thanks for the jokes, singing, learning! And saving that old bit of kit.
Mate thats the best video on the tube. Great result . Perfect match down to the micro scratches.
Really, really nice work. The quality sensor is HILARIOUS! I absolutely love what I call “dead tech” and I’ll bet you have a splendid collection.
Gotta love smooth on products!!!
This all reminds me that I have a HUGE art deco mangle that needs a new knob. Gotta check if the missing one has a sibling that I can cast!
That was great. Even the Sigmond song. Right to the point as well. I really appreciate that.
Good instruction and very entertaining too. So many videos like these drag on with too much commentary but you mixed the action and narration really well.