Venture a Guess ?

[panther]

Here's a photo of the Mosrite style selector knob I made today.
It's the second one I've made the other one I put on the Dobro.
Dan

[Sarah93003]

That selector switch tip looks great! How did you make it?

[panther]

I have a Harbor Freight 3 in 1 lathe. ( I would guess you could do the same in a drill press.)

I put a length of 1/4" aluminum rod in the chuck, and used files to round the end.
Took the rod out of the lathe and turned it around and put it back into the lathe.
I cut the knob to length with a hacksaw. Either cut while the rod is spinning or stationary. Be careful doing this.
Then I used a center drill to make a small starter hole in the thread end of the knob.
Drill and tap the hole.
Then I inserted a cut off machine screw into the threaded hole and put it back in the lathe.
Then used a file once again to make the taper.
Then marked the grooves, and used a hacksaw blade to cut the grooves while the part was turning in the lathe. Be careful doing this and if possible use a file to get a starter groove. I used a small thread cutting bit to make starter grooves. I need to cut a tool to make the entire groove.
Then fine Emory clothe to smooth, and finally Brasso while spinning on a small piece of rag to polish.
All in All it took less then 30 minutes to make one. If one were to make several at one time it may even be possible to make a little cash selling them for 1/2 what everyone else is charging.

I will make another and add photos, in another thread.

Dan

[Sarah93003]

That is very cool. I've been looking for a small engine lathe so I could do the same thing. I'd like to offer these on my website for people restoring their guitars. Perhaps you would like to make them.

[panther]

Yes! We could do that.
Dan

[panther]

Sarah;
Today I made what they call a contour tool for my lathe, to cut the selector knobs.
Here is a photo of the first one out. I can make about 10 an hour. What do you think ?
Dan

[Sarah93003]

I think it looks great! I can't tell from the photo, but I think there needs to be a flat spot on top. The one on my Celebrity Prototype is:

0.557" tall
0.312" diameter at the top
0.262" diameter at the bottom
the first groove is 0.333" from the bottom and 0.030" wide
the second groove is 0.405" from the bottom and 0.030" wide
the flat spot is 0.200" in diameter

mine looks just like this one.

[panther]

Flat spot is no problem. However it's sad because the end of the knob has a real nice 3D effect when the spiral sanding polished.
Dan

[Sarah93003]

Flat spot is no problem. However it's sad because the end of the knob has a real nice 3D effect when the spiral sanding polished.
Dan

It looks great. I think for restoration purposes it would be a good idea to get as close as possible. Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea to offer both styles for people who are not as concerned with restoration and would prefer the styling without the flat. People like options!

[dubtrub]

Also be aware that the knob doesn't screw all the way down to the ring on the shaft. When I first noticed this years ago I thought something was stopping it. Then I found they all seemed to be drilled too shallow.