Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Ok. Here's the deal: The Chi GTG is in a few weeks and I am determined to have this bass project C-L-O-S-E-D and ready for folks to mess around with. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1827345&highlight=mango+bass+project Need some ideas for knobs. I'm making 3 knobs and need something to put inside each knob that will grab the pot stem but won't be permanent. I thought about using set screws but that just doesn't appeal to me. There's got to be a material or gizmo that I can glue inside a knob, slide the knob on, and it'll compress tightly. Ideas? Questions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zenfleshzenbone Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 What kind of pot shafts? Solid? Smooth? Split? Knurled? If solid, you'll pretty much need a set screw, otherwise, you're kind of screwed. The easiest would probably be split knurled - for them, just drill a hole just barely big enough, mix up a bit of plumber's epoxy and smear the inside of the hole with it, wait for it to start to set, put a dab of WD40 or something on the shaft so it won't stick, then mash it on to take a mold of the shaft in the epoxy in the hole. Ought to be able to make something work that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Dice are the "go to" DIY knob, and you drill out jeweled D&D dice if you want to be different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 What kind of pot shafts? Solid? Smooth? Split? Knurled? If solid, you'll pretty much need a set screw, otherwise, you're kind of screwed. The easiest would probably be split knurled - for them, just drill a hole just barely big enough, mix up a bit of plumber's epoxy and smear the inside of the hole with it, wait for it to start to set, put a dab of WD40 or something on the shaft so it won't stick, then mash it on to take a mold of the shaft in the epoxy in the hole. Ought to be able to make something work that way. 3 Knobs2 are split shaft with long grooves that are in line with the shaft1 is completely smooth and not split I'm going to try what you suggested about making a mold inside the knob. Why specifically the plumber's epoxy? Any other materials? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 3 Knobs2 are split shaft with long grooves that are in line with the shaft1 is completely smooth and not splitI'm going to try what you suggested about making a mold inside the knob.Why specifically the plumber's epoxy? Any other materials? That's just the first thing that came to mind. Anything that can be formed to the mold like that, and then hardens to a reasonably sturdy solid, would work. Even better would be something that retained somewhat of a flexible or rubbery consistancy. Nothing's leaping to mind for that at the moment, but there's probably something out there. Maybe silicone (but that's not very strong) or some "stay flexible" caulking compound would do. Another temporary alternative that might work even with smooth solid shafts - get some "Goop" adhesive and coat the inside of the hole with that. You should still be able to get it off, but it'll take some work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Dice are the "go to" DIY knob, and you drill out jeweled D&D dice if you want to be different. This is deep deep hardcore DIY. I'm working with bartop finish, glitter, polymer clay, and paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 How about plastic tubing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 It wouldn't fit this project, but I've always thought using some of those little animal figurines (pottery-clay-like, but actually plastic) you see in kitsch stores like Hallmark would be freaky to drill out and use as knobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poomwah Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 envirotex mixed with glitter..... find small shotglasses. pour a VERY thin layer of envirotex in the bottom, drop a small plastic dragon fly in there, then fill it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 envirotex mixed with glitter..... find small shotglasses. pour a VERY thin layer of envirotex in the bottom, drop a small plastic dragon fly in there, then fill it up. Excellent! Why not a real one, though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Use barbie heads for knobs. You know you want to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 It wouldn't fit this project, but I've always thought using some of those little animal figurines (pottery-clay-like, but actually plastic) you see in kitsch stores like Hallmark would be freaky to drill out and use as knobs. I could go buy 3 Barbie dolls and use the heads for knobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Use barbie heads for knobs. You know you want to! I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Use barbie heads for knobs. You know you want to! Dammit! We were thinking the same damned thing at the same time. I knew you were my brother from another mother when I met you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Use barbie heads for knobs. You know you want to! The hair would get tangled in the whammy bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poomwah Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Excellent! Why not a real one, though? a real one would be too big, unless you used just the head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bholder Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 The hair would get tangled in the whammy bar. Ok, so not a Barbie doll, but one of the smaller all solid plastic ones the size of the original GI Joe dolls. (Ooops, "action figures".) I don't think it's right for your current project, but that would be hilariously twisted on the right punk bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 How about plastic tubing? You got me thinking. Maybe some of that really thin tubing that is used with the air pump for an aquarium ... HMMMMM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bnyswonger Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Dammit! We were thinking the same damned thing at the same time. I knew you were my brother from another mother when I met you. I think there are craft shops where you can get them in all sizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 envirotex mixed with glitter.....find small shotglasses. pour a VERY thin layer of envirotex in the bottom, drop a small plastic dragon fly in there, then fill it up. This has got to be super small because1. the knobs are small and2. the location of the knobs mean that they've got to be as small as possible. #2 is a neat aspect of this project. This is the first bass that I'm modding and the next time around I'll think differently about some things. For one, I'd put these 3 knobs somewhere else. Second, I'll think further ahead and commit to certain themes/concepts. I'd also stay reminded that all of my 1500 bright ideas don't have to go into one instrument. This project has progressed day-by-day and gone in different directions. But it's definitely been fun and educational. Hey ... Guttermouth showed me that a bass can sound like a Theramin when an amateur (me) does a crappy soldering job on a ground wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poomwah Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 why not use the barbie heads and cut the hair short, kinda a joan jett look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members misterhinkydink Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 You got me thinking. Maybe some of that really thin tubing that is used with the air pump for an aquarium ... HMMMMM Yes, find some tubing that will just fit over the control shafts. Drill the hole in the knob slightly smaller than the OD of the tubing on the control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted August 13, 2008 Author Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 PM me your home address. This would be a fantastic kit for me to give you a circumcision. Just call me Mohel Mango. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted August 13, 2008 Members Share Posted August 13, 2008 Yes, find some tubing that will just fit over the control shafts. Drill the hole in the knob slightly smaller than the OD of the tubing on the control. If you find this tubing too soft, you can try Plastruct plastic tubing at many hobby and art supply stores, and sometimes even office supply stores that specialize in drafting and graphic arts supplies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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