Heathkit knob reproductions

[Glen Zook]

I have been asked to reproduce other knobs for the
various Heath equipment.  Don't know if it will be
economically feasible to make very many different
types, but there is a sample of one of the knobs that
goes behind the "little red knob" on the DX-100 on its
way to me for evaluation.  That particular knob is
probably the 2nd hardest to find (after the "little
red knob").  If I can make a reasonable reproduction I
will let everyone know.

Already I have received a couple of requests for the
small gray knob that was used for the bandswitch (and
a lot of other applications) on the DX-20, DX-35,
DX-40, and for several things on the DX-100 series. 
It also was used on a lot of test equipment.  There
were two different styles of this knob, one with an
"arrow" molded into the skirt and one that had a
"line" scribed into the skirt.  If I decide to make
this one it will be the type with the "arrow" since
this can be easily made (the "arrow" is part of the
mold).

The larger gray plastic knobs (i.e. VFO knob on the
DX-100 series and the plate/antenna loading on quite a
number of units) will vary in complexity to make.  The
VFO knob isn't that hard except that it would have to
be "solid" (instead of being basically hollow) which
would actually make the tuning of the DX-100 (and the
VF-1) somewhat smoother due to the increased weight. 
Making the knob with the white pointer on the back
will be harder.  To keep the price down it would
probably have to be made in one piece instead of
having the separate pointer made from white plastic.

There is a "trade-off" in making these knobs. 
Frankly, since they are "hand cast" and not injection
molded they do require quite a bit of labor to make. 
This includes drilling of the hole for the control,
drilling and tapping for the setscrew, etc.  Then
there is the cost of the resin.  The result is that
the cost is not going to be that cheap.  If they were
injection molded then the cost per knob wouldn't be
that much EXCEPT for the fact that things like the
tooling for making the injection molds can cost in the
thousands of dollars!  This plus the cost of the
injection equipment.  That is why no one has made the
replacement parts readily available to the "boat
anchor" community.

Anyway, I am definitely "open" to suggestions as to
what knobs (and other "plastic" parts) to consider for
reproduction.  No promises, of course, but I am open
to suggestions as to which items to make.

Again, the "little red plastic knobs" are in prototype
right now and, so far, it looks like I will be able to
provide them.  The plastic Heathkit emblems are
presently availabe in both black and silver colored as
are several other items.  Go to

http://k9sth.com/Page_3.html

and select the "link" for the various items.  If the
image comes up "small" on your browser let me know and
I'll tell you how to make it larger.  Sometimes this
happens and sometimes it doesn't!  Depends on your
browser's settings.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


 
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