3-D printed radio knobs

[Dwight FitzSimons]

A local fellow has 3-D printed a copy of a radio knob for a '63-64 Studebaker radio. Has anyone else done this?

These knobs have a habit of yellowing over time, and also disintegrating (due to UV light?). This sample looks exact to my eyes, but of course, is too white.

Comments?

--Dwight

[StudeRich]

Looks good, if he can find a polished Stainless Steel Disc for it, and of course change it to off-white.
Of course if one had a bad used one, the Disc could be saved and re-used.

[StudeRich]

They fit '65's and Avantis too. They could be used, incorrectly on '58 to '62 Delco's as well.

[aardvark]

Looks good. 3D Printing is coming at us and will be a real asset to us as Collectors needing parts for multiples of needs... They can print in metals too.

[aardvark]

Ya Know... You could mist those knobs with an off white spray paint from a spray can. It would hold up pretty well.

[DTHolder]

First and foremost I think it looks great.
My brain instantly thought if you can recreate the original you could create something custom. Depends on the rest of the car I suppose.

[StudeRich]

It may be a bit more difficult to create the Spring Steel tension clip inside of the shaft hole that keeps the Knob on tight.
I see little need for Custom knobs on an Original Radio, not an option.
If one wanted Custom, they could easily buy a much better, Stereo, 4 Speaker or More AM/FM, Blue Tooth etc. Radio.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

The local "3-D fellow" used numbered drill bits to push the SS disc and spring steel tension clip out of my knob. He had to do that in order to print the knobs.

[aardvark]

If it can be scanned or imputed it can be 3D printed. There is a big debate about 3D printed guns where the whole thing is made off of a printer.
Point being, emblems and all sorts of things You can imagine can be printed... It all comes down to a matter of cost and amount of production.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

The SS disc and spring steel tension clip can, and have been, pushed out and reused. So, currently, at least, one could replace a deteriorated used knob.

The buttons yellow and break, so might be another item to 3-D print. It's an exciting technology to follow.

--Dwight

[Lark Hunter]

Just a knee-jerk observation, but without the stainless insert pressed into place, that new white knob looks just like a toothpaste cap!

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Damn! You figured out my deception!

[61Lark]

That looks great. Do you what type of 3d printing was used and the material? Probably the most common home 3d printing material used is PLA which also doesn't do well with UV exposure.

Studebaker Avanti, Avanti, Radio Knobs NOS, Pair (nostalgicmotorcars.net) The original knobs are closer to white than what most of us have in our cars today, but still look slightly off white.

Off-White PETG Filament – California Filament This material appears like it would be a better match to the other aged plastics in the cars and is also UV resistant.

I've been meaning to print a fan switch delete for my 63 and I'd be willing to try the radio knobs also if they are willing to share the file.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Dan brings up a critical point, that the knobs must have 36 serrations! Now I have to count them.
--Dwight

[Rerun]

I printed the knobs are printed with PETG. The color is slightly "whiter" than the original knobs, but I haven't found another PETG that is "off white".

[Rerun]

I may have to give that California Filament a try. I have also printed the '64 ribbed rocker switches, but they are a bit brighter white than I would like.

[nels]

How long did it take to print one knob?

[Dwight FitzSimons]

I don't know. I'll ask him next Wed. when we meet for breakfast.
--Dwight

[Rerun]

A pair of knobs takes a total of 36 minutes on my Bambu P1S.

[gordr]

One could also buy a box of silicone rubber mold-making compound at Michaels, and take a mold off an existing knob, and cast replicas in polyester resin, tinted to the exact shade you want. The rubber molds can be reused.

[bensherb]

I get stuff from TAP plastics. This has been my approach to stuff like this for decades Gord, long before 3D printers were anywhere near something an average person could afford or buy. I've used everything from latex to plain old silicone tub caulk for making molds. You just need a good mold release, I use PVA.

[64LarkLover]

I've bought "spare" parts for my cars over the years, and these radio knobs always seemed so scarce. Your 3-D print looks great, and if a little too white, perhaps the patina will age over time due to sunlight and contact with natural oils on your finger tips.

[Rerun]

The SS disc and spring steel tension clip can, and have been, pushed out and reused. So, currently, at least, one could replace a deteriorated used knob.

The buttons yellow and break, so might be another item to 3-D print. It's an exciting technology to follow.

--Dwight

If I had a sample radio push button to examine, I could see if it would lend itself to 3D printing. Maybe someone can post a picture of one to look at. Of course, I would need one in hand to get good dimensions if it looks printable.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

I've never had a pushbutton off the radio. Maybe heating it with a heat gun would soften them so one could be pulled off?

--Dwight

[StudeRich]

You wiggle it up and down and pull.

[StudeRich]

After it goes out to "Station Set Mode" it should pull off.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

The pic below is the pair of knobs that Nostalgic Motorcars has listed for sale. The color of the two knobs isn't exactly the same, so I would go with the lighter one (on left).

--Dwight

[Warren Webb]

3D printing can give us better quality on some things we buy now. My gripe is the clear plastic spears on my 63 Hawk. Ones sold now have such poor quality plastic that yellow within months while the original one on the other side is as clear when it came off the assembly line. Is there a size limitation for something in metal? An R-2 water manifold that is close to it's weight in gold comes to mind!