Start and Choke knobs

[kabu]

Hi All,

I am planning of reproducing the Start and Choke cables with correct knobs for my Singer. Since I do not have the original knobs I would need some good pictures and dimensions taken from original knobs. Could some kind fellow Singer owner provide me the following:
1. A picture taken directly towards the knob, showing the text font, location and size (preferably from both Start and Choke knobs)
2. A picture taken directly from the side of the knob, showing the shape of of the knob profile
3. Overall diameter and overall length of the knob

This information should be enough for reproduction at a reasonable accuracy.

Of course if someone has any Start and/or Choke knob(s) to spare, that would be even better. Even if they are cracked or broken they would be helpful.

I plan to have new knobs cast, painted correct color and installed onto new cables. If this works out properly I could also make them for someone else needing new cables.

Best Regards,
Pekka
Helsinki, Finland

[Mark Thompson]

Hello Pekka,

I have been following your detailed restoration for several years and I am quite impressed with your diligence and capabilities for producing your own parts. I would be glad to help with your requested information.

The overall diameter of the knobs is 7/8 inch or 22mm. The shaft diameter is slightly tapered from 11 to 12mm, nominal 7/16 inch diameter and the length of the knob is 1 1/4 inch or 32mm. The material appears to be "bakelite" (dark brown).

I took some photos and will try to attach them. If that doesn't work, I will e-mail them to you seperately. Good luck with your project. I am restoring another 4AD and would be interested in a set of knobs if it works out.

Best Regards,

Mark Thompson
1952 4AD and 1953 4ADT under restoration
Nashville, TN, USA

[Mark Thompson]

Pekka,

Some additional information:

The radius at the rear of the knob appears to be about 3/16" (fits a 3/8" drill bit). The chrome dash face plate behind the knobs is 5/8 inch diameter.

Mark

[mikeyr]

If I get them back, I can send you a pair if that would help.

[kabu]

Hi,

Mark, thanks a lot for the information and measurements. I got the pictures in my email.

Mike, getting original knobs as a sample would be excellent and help my task significantly since I would not need to manufacture patterns first. It would also guarantee that the shape and texts are correct. I will of course return the samples to you after I have made the molds. I will contact your email to discuss on details.

Thanks again!

Best regards,
Pekka

[Stephen]

Hi Pekka .. did you ever get around to making up the choke and start knobs for the 4AD .. if so did you make any spares and are they for sale .. Regards Stephen

[kabu]

Hi,

I did receive original knobs from Mike to be used as a sample. I have currently produced a silicone mold from the originals and have made the first pair of reproductions from polyester resin. The outcome is not good enough quality yet so I need some more testing and practise. I have also doubts that polyester resin is not the best choice for this job so I plan testing the casting with polyurethane resin as well.

I am also modifying new cables so that the mouning bezel matches the looks and dimensions of the original. I will keep you posted on the progress. Unfortunately the methods that I'm using require quite a lot of manual work so haven't figured out any possible sales price yet.

BR/
Pekka

[Stephen]

Hi Pekka ... Thank you for your reply, ... and good luck with your project, and if you do perfect the process and have some for sale, I am sure many others on this Forum, beside myself, would be interested in purchasing a set .. All the best .. Stephen

[kabu]

Hi,

A brief status update. I have now managed to create silicone mold from the original knobs Mike generously loaned to me (Thank You again). I have also made some test castings with natural colored resin and the results look very promising. Next step is dying the resin to correct brown color. More to come...

I wrote a post to my web site with a couple of pictures as well.
http://www.guru-group.fi/kabu/index.php ... &Itemid=64

BR/
Pekka

[kabu]

Hi All,

I have made some progress on this and the casting process seems to be in control now. I have made a small batch of the knobs. Next step is to paint the texts white and modify a suitable generic cable assembly to adopt these knobs. I will turn a special fixing sleeve from stainless steel that will have the same mounting dimensions than the original Singer cable. That way the visible parts will look the same and the cable can be attached to the thick wooden instrument panel. The generic cables available nowadays seems to be made for thinner panels.

Some fabricated loose knobs plus the originals that are attached to cables.

BR/
Pekka

[Phillip]

Hey Pekka,

Nicely done! They look really good. Are you going to sell the extras or do a run for others who may need them?

Cheers,
Phillip

[mikeyr]

WOW those LOOK GREAT !!!!! REALLY GREAT !

[Stephen]

EXCELLENT JOB Pekka, and same as Philip ??? ... Stephen

[kabu]

Hi,

Thank you for your comments and support. Especially of course Mike who has provided me the originals for creating the molds.

Yes, I will be able to fabricate the knobs or full cables to someone else also. Since I now have a mold for the knobs I can produce them quite easily. It still requires manual work in feed gate and flash removal, polishing the surfaces, drilling and threading the mounting hole plus painting the white lettering.

Creating the cable assembly requires modifying a suitable generic cable assembly with a custom made flange that looks correct and has the correct mounting dimensions. I also need to remove the original generic knob ans replace it with a thread for mounting the fabricated knob. It also requires me to aqcuire suitable cables.

I guess I'll be able to offer two alternatives:
1) Sell plain fabricated knobs to someone who wants to acquire the cables and do the required modification and assembly work him/herself
2) Sell full assembled cable that is ready to be installed on the car

Since I haven't done the cable modification and assembly work yet, I cannot give any price information yet.

I'll keep you posted.

BR/
Pekka

[kabu]

Hi All,

Some progress report. Here is a small batch of knobs ready for final polishing to remove the traces of white paint from the front surface.

I have also a couple of extra sets of cables where the panel attachment and bezel has been modified to look like the originals.

Small series production

BR/
Pekka