[Johnson] White dots on knobs

[Glen Zook]

You need to polish the end of the rod and then cut off
0.25 inches of the rod for your first insert.  Then
you polish the end of the long piece then cut off a
0.25 inch piece.  Continue to do this until you get
enough pieces.

You will probably have to "file down" the end that was
cut from the rod because the act of cutting "flares"
out that end and the insert will not fit into the
knob.  Also, you have to be careful in the fact that
many of the rods seem to have "voids" in the center. 
When you cut off the first insert you discover that
the rod may be hollow (at least a small diameter hole)
for up to an inch or more.  Then you hit "solid" rod
again.  The section that is hollow will not make a
proper insert no matter how long you polish it!

The easiest way to cut the lengths is to use an Xacto
knife with a #11 blade.  Lay the rod next to a ruler
and place the blade at a point 0.25 inches from the
end.  Roll the rod back and forth under the blade
pushing down on the handle of the Xacto knife.  Put
one hand over the end of the rod and knife as you cut
it (the insert will suddenly "fly" away and you need
to stop it before it gets lost).  It is this cutting
action that flares out the end of the insert.  Using a
small saw, etc., usually doesn't make any where near
as neat a cut and requires even more filing to get the
size down to where it will fit in the knob.

You can get 0.125 inch diameter white plastic rod in
just about any hobby shop that deals with model
airplanes, cars, etc.  The cost in this area (Dallas,
Texas, area) is $1.19 for 5 rods 10 inches long.

It is not the cost of the materials that is reflected
in what I charge for the inserts.  It is all the labor
that is required to actually make them.  I always am
willing to tell how to make your own inserts.  But,
many people try it and give up!  Others "freak out" at
even trying!

Glen, K9STH


--- David Hollander <n7rk at cox.net> wrote:

I will go to the hobby shop tomorrow and get some
plastic rod.

Glen, K9STH

Web sites

http://home.comcast.net/~k9sth
http://home.comcast.net/~zcomco

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