working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

the thermionic watercooler

working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby coop402 » Sat Nov 14, 2015 5:56 am

It's been a long time since I posted. I am finally in a place where I can get to work on some audio projects.
One thing I have been perfecting is making custom knobs and the like with my wood lathe.
This year I acquired a hobby laser cutter, and I have found it perfect for cutting and engraving veneer (along with a bunch of other stuff).

Check out this RCA knob. It is not finished and glossy, yet. But I like the idea.

The last one is just veneer before being glued to a custom knob and sanded. It is still rough, as the imperfections need to be sanded to wood.

Image

Image

Image
coop402
 
Posts: 146
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 am

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby Geek » Sat Nov 14, 2015 7:02 am

Gorgeous! (love)

I have a retail repair store and know some old RCA restorers. Are you selling some that I can let my clients know about?

Cheers!
-= Gregg =-
Fine wine comes in glass bottles, not plastic sacks. Therefore the finer electrons are also found in glass bottles.
User avatar
Geek
KT88
 
Posts: 3585
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:01 am
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby coop402 » Sat Nov 14, 2015 7:23 am

Geek wrote:Gorgeous! (love)

I have a retail repair store and know some old RCA restorers. Are you selling some that I can let my clients know about?

Cheers!


I am trying to come up with some stock designs, and maybe do some custom work.
The problem that I have right now is that I have too much time wrapped up in them! lol
These are all hand turned, laser cut, etc. It just takes time. More time than I could charge for a knob.
I am looking to work out some efficiencies that will help.

The other thing is the overwhelming amount of woods, designs, ideas, that are involved with something like this.
One of the knobs I made is a multi veneer colored 45 adapter. Again, not finished, just concept. It is always interesting to hear others feedback. Keeping in mind that this a very niche hobby, so it is hard to ask the neighbor what he thinks. haha

I have also posted an example of an octal tube pinout simply etched into veneer. If I were to do this again, I would pick a lighter veneer and not burn it so dark. Again, just and example.

Image

Image
coop402
 
Posts: 146
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 am

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby skidave » Tue Nov 17, 2015 8:26 am

Nice work!

I say make them a bit larger and turn them into drink coasters. I would love to have a set of coasters like these and other designs.
User avatar
skidave
 
Posts: 141
Joined: Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:04 pm
Location: York, PA

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby DeathRex » Tue Nov 17, 2015 9:55 am

The most popular for radios is the Zenith Z.

For DIY stereos, I'd think a plain wooden knod would be nice, or one with a circle in the middle.
At first I wanted to be a ET. Now I are one.
User avatar
DeathRex
KT88
 
Posts: 1014
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:13 pm
Location: Cortez, CO

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby coop402 » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:37 pm

got some new samples coming! Will keep everyone posted.
coop402
 
Posts: 146
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 am

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby coop402 » Sat Nov 21, 2015 5:58 pm

I finished one of the rca deals.
I used black satin paint and walnut stain.
I used a thick, pour on finish for the logo. I really like this. Nice!


Image

Image
coop402
 
Posts: 146
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 am

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby Geek » Sun Nov 22, 2015 12:20 am

Gorgeous! :))
-= Gregg =-
Fine wine comes in glass bottles, not plastic sacks. Therefore the finer electrons are also found in glass bottles.
User avatar
Geek
KT88
 
Posts: 3585
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:01 am
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia

New prototype knobs

Postby coop402 » Sun Dec 13, 2015 9:43 am

Telefunken, RCA, Musical Note, Zenith knobs.
I have been working on some prototypes, these are all maple with hardwood veneers.


Image


Image
coop402
 
Posts: 146
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 am

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby Geek » Sun Dec 13, 2015 9:46 am

These are getting better all the time!!! (love)
-= Gregg =-
Fine wine comes in glass bottles, not plastic sacks. Therefore the finer electrons are also found in glass bottles.
User avatar
Geek
KT88
 
Posts: 3585
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:01 am
Location: Chilliwack, British Columbia

Skull knob.

Postby coop402 » Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:24 am

Kind of on a roll this morning. Trying out a few simple techniques.
Here is the punisher. lol

Image

Image
coop402
 
Posts: 146
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 am

Zeppelin 4 knob. lol

Postby coop402 » Sun Dec 13, 2015 3:21 pm

A little Zep worship.

This one is still drying. The bubbles will come to the surface.

Image
coop402
 
Posts: 146
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 am

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby burnedfingers » Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:05 am

Do you have something like these Model 62 knobs?

PC130001.JPG
PC130001.JPG (58.92 KiB) Viewed 6096 times
burnedfingers
KT88
 
Posts: 640
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 6:38 am

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby coop402 » Mon Dec 14, 2015 6:27 pm

As far as the model 62 knobs. I have never seen one.
What are they made of, and is the shape difficult?

I have been looking at some vintage knobs, thinking about cloning some.
coop402
 
Posts: 146
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2009 7:43 am

Re: working out turning custom knobs on my lathe. Rca theme

Postby burnedfingers » Tue Dec 15, 2015 5:04 am

Here is a closer shot

PC140002.JPG
PC140002.JPG (63.31 KiB) Viewed 6054 times
burnedfingers
KT88
 
Posts: 640
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 6:38 am

Next

Return to diy hifi

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests