Molding and Casting some plastic Knobs for some of my radios. Check back in a day or two for a list of the materials I used to create the Molds and Castings. Thanks for watching and subscribing to my channel on vintage radio repair.
I think you do a terrific job on the work you do. You are very attentive to detail. I have to admit that I jump forward; the videos stretch on . Thank you for the valuable information.
+James Lucas Thank you James. I don’t blame you for jumping ahead. I do the same myself on the majority of the videos I watch so I can right to the meaningful stuff. I appreciate your kind words. Best, Don
I have two variacs/powertstats-one has its original control knob, the other has no knob. These vintage knobs sell for $50 and up. Your video has inspired me to make my own. Job well done!
Charlie - I know you’ll be successful. I had no prior experience myself and was very pleased with the results considering my limited knowledge and practice. All the best. Don
Thanks for sharing your experience with this. I need that exact knob! Two of them, in fact. To restore a 1940s Epiphone amplifier. If you want to mold and sell a pair of them, let me know and we can talk about price. Thank you!
YOU are a wizard, sir. I am only about 2/3 of the way through this first video, and I love it! I am going to the web site as soon as I finish and ordering all the stuff I need. I have been messing around with 3D printing recently and I'm planning to experiment with that as a tool to reproduce, but I really like this. I don't need to mess with digital 3D files AND I get to work with chemistry! I think it will be fun. I really like your easy going style and that you don't rush your videos. They are a real pleasure to watch. I look forward to watching a lot more. Thank you very much for your time and effort to produce them. Cheers! Michael
+ThatTubeSound Michael, thank you so much! You’re 3D printing is interesting. Have you done a video on it? This was my first time molding and casting, so I’m far from being a SME. The stuff is fairly easy to work with though. Please publish your results too; would really enjoy watching and learning more. As you know, doing the work, publishing the videos take a lot of time, so I really appreciate you making time to view my channel and your kind words. I’m slowing down my work in the shop over the next month while I catch up on some things so I’ll have more time to devote to watching the great content that you’re publishing as well. Thank you again. Best, Don
Excellent! Knobs can be extremely difficult to find! A good business could be found in replicating vintage looking parts and knobs. Great video. Thanks for the info!
+Radio wild RW, I appreciate it. I need more practice and I think the other casting material I'll be trying may provide better results since I don't have a vacuum degassing pot. Thanks again for watching. Best, Don
+MedHawk Thank you. I will update the video description later today with the products and steps I took that provided the overall best results. Thanks for watching. Best, Don
Very nice Don! I think that turned out really great. I just sent you a box of knobs ai need reproduced with a list of how many! Lol. I definitely may try this on the push buttons of the RCA 96T2, the push buttons are $140 a set. Thanks for sharing this technique and I will be watching coming videos. You did a great job on the first one, and I know you will make the process better! Best, Larry.
+Backtothefutureradios Larry, thank you. I've cast a few more since then with mixed results. Soon, thanks to you I'll have more practice time. Lol Best, Don
Cool Don, When you said silicone for some reason I thought you'd be taking silicone caulking and a caulking gun and filling up the mold that way and then just waiting for it to cure, lol. For the release I was thinking rubbing the knob with Vaseline or Crisco. When that stuff cured it did look amazingly like the clear kitchen/tub silicone caulking that comes in the tube. I don't know that I'd worry about those small "Imperfections" as they seem to also be on the original knob and just let them be. Just a thought. Take care, Gary
Excellent video I have a broken push button in a 1958 Telefunken Jubilate 1161that I'm restoring , already working but cosmetic I don't know how to hold the button to do the mold because it has an area inside that attach to the radio Can you give me any ideas thanks Jose
+Vintage Electronics Geek Jack, I appreciate it. I've been crazy busy and I know you've uploaded a ton of great content over the past month or so. I need some time to catch up and take in your trips from around the country, etc. Best, Don
Great video Don! For small measuring cups go to Wendy's and save the little plastic Ketchup containers for your fries. I use them all the time for mixing epoxy and small amounts of paint.
Definitely some nice work there, Don! Last year, one of the vendors was selling (Zenith "Big Z" radio knob molds , and Philco "pushbutton console") molds, which were nicely made from a material manufactured by a company named "Smooth On". They were 'handshake guaranteed' to produce at least 50 of the object which the molds were intended to duplicate (before the mold became too worn to reproduce 'acceptable' duplicates). "Carnac predicts" you will soon receive or purchase a miniature lathe (similar to a UniMat); a prediction largely based on the progression of your many talents, thus-far. Should "Carnac's" prediction hold true/be accurate, I'll forward an address, which will allow you to send some of the Carolina's best culinary rewards. (as a token of gratitude).....
+AMStationEngineer Thank you Tim. A few bubbles, but all expected with summer humidity and no degassing in place. Do you recall what they were asking for the molds? Now I dreaming about the miniature lathe. I just hope my wife doesn't see this. Lol Best, Don
$25.00 per; The guy frequents Renninger's - Adamstown, and is usually there the first Sunday of every "even numbered" month. The engineering lab at the avionics development facility (where I spent 17 years), used to pour molds, then insert them into vacuum chamber - or bell jar under vacuum, for 120% of their setup time, to eliminate voids/bubbles. A compressor from an old refrigerator works well for the hobbyist. Tell her that the first thing turned on the lathe will be jewelry, that oughta suffice ;)
Is there anyway to contact him ? The reason being is i bought a Philco model model 48 1262, and it's in pretty rough shape and I have no clue where to start restoring it
+Matthew Haden Try JF Antique Radio Repair. Their site is: www.jfradiorepair.com If you're just getting started in the hobby, the Philco model you have would be a real challenge. I started out many years ago on All American Five radios that are less complex than your Philco and was still challenged on how to troubleshoot and make repairs. Check out the ARF at: antiqueradios.com/forums/index.php This site is a great resource to reference and learn from others. In addition: philcoradio.com/phorum/ Hope this helps and feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions. Hope you get your Philco up and and playing real soon. Best, Don
Jose - I would think so. Check out the RCA reproductions at: Molding & Casting Vintage Radio Knobs ru-vid.com/group/PLjLu4V-71S1K376uzIyqLX6PBaR8sKbvP Best, Don
+Bart Zuidgeest Thank you Bart. Good point on needing more shine. After the plastic cures, I'll polish and see what improvements if any are needed. Best, Don
You really need to check out RU-vid videos by starwarsgeekdotnet. He is the master of casting and moulding in my book. I've used his methods to make good copies of radio knobs and even buttons. If you construct a pressure pot, you will be able to cast both the front and back of the knobs and not need to drill any holes. The little bubbles in the cast are also eliminated. Also consider making two molds and cast two knobs with the same time. Color matching is much easier.
