[Elecraft] Tuning knob - I agree

Thu Jan 16 20:30:01 2003

I have a small cnc lathe and mill.  I turned a brass knob for my k2  (before
I even had it fully completed) with grooves on the side and a recessed,
offset spinner and it works very well and looks great.  My wife commented
that it detracts from the k2 since your eye has a tendency to focus on the
knob.  I think her comment was "How do you like my knob, ah err, radio?"  As
it is aging, the brass is coming to a closer shade of yellow to match the
lettering of the k2.

The offset spinner is key since the radius of the standard knob is small.
It is much more comfortable to use the offset.

Anodized aluminum isn't really less expensive than brass when you consider
the work needed to anodize aluminum.  I've tried it in the past for small
parts using the same link as posted previously (telescope parts) and they
come out nice.  Black is very difficult to do at home.  Colors like gold,
etc come out better.

I can turn them, mill the setscrews, index groove the sides, etc.  The
problem is that it takes so long to complete a beautiful knob, it isn't
worth the money!  I can spin out a nice knob in about 5 hours. Maybe more
quickly now that I have the rotary table setup on the mill for milling the
grooves.  I'm sure production shops can do it more quickly for less money,
but you would end up with knurled sides that I don't think look as nice.
The balancing takes time.  The slowest process is flipping the knob around
after machining the back so that it can be screwed to a mandrel for finish
turning the front and side.  This ensures that it will run true on the shaft
once setscrew-attached to the encoder.  It takes time to indicate the knob,
etc every time you change the mounting point.  All right, so I am a little
out-there with precision.

I also used grooved set screw caps that match the side grooves.  This is
interesting as long as you don't have to take the knob off.  After
tightening the setscrews, you screw in the caps and lock them with a little
superglue. This gives the setscrews holes a nicer appearance.  I kicked
around the idea of angled setscrew that would be hidden under an inlay from
the front, etc.

Mass produced, weighted plastic like the standard elecraft knob is the way
to go.  I kicked around the idea of making an offset spinner with bearings
that would attach to one of the setscrews (out of brass), but you would have
to rebalance the plastic knob so making it a mass produced offering wouldn't
really work.

I'm not taking orders (except from my wife) nor am I interested in selling
the one I made.

Good luck!

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 5:42 AM
To: Julian (G4ILO); Elecraft List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Tuning knob - I agree

I agree with Julian 100% and will join in if there is a way to do this.
73/Tim NZ7C
----- Original Message -----
From: "Julian (G4ILO)" <[email protected]>

I think
> there would be enough of a demand for a precision turned, metal tuning
knob
> with a black anodized finish..... with an indent or a small crank for
> tuning. Appearance like the original K2 knob. Anyone know someone who
could
> make them?
>
> I know some folks have fitted Yaesu knobs to their K2s, but I've seen the
> pictures and they don't look right to me.
>
> 73,
> --
> Julian, G4ILO. (RSGB, ARRL, G-QRP, K2 #392)
>

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