Material to fabricate a knob?

[Mike W1]

Had a 1/4" x 20 tpi bolt welded on the top of my Production Pot IV stop-rod thinking it'd be easy to find some sort of heat resistant knob to put on it. That didn't turn out to be the case! So I've been using a small clamp as a knob since the one I molded out of an epoxy crumbled. Even that's better than grabbing a screwdrive each time I want to rotate the rod. If you do it as part of the casting cycle I get darn few drips.

Any suggestions to try making another knob out of? Preferably something I can tap a setscrew into?

[theperfessor]

Try Reid Supply.

http://www.reidsupply.com/products/knobs-handles-hand-wheels/knobs/ball-knobs/

All sort of threaded knobs in all sorts of materials and sizes. I can make my own and I still buy from them.

[jimkim]

A piece of scrap brass would be my first choice. Go to a machine shop and see if they have some.

[mroliver77]

I would weld a "T" on it.
J

[waksupi]

Most hobby shops have wooden balls of various sizes. You should be able to hollow out an end, and epoxy in a nut, to fit your threads. Cost will probably be around a buck.

[Mike W1]

Thank you gents - some good options there!

[jeepin]

Most hardware stores or the major home center changes have in their hardware section either knobs with studs or with bolts fastened in them. I have seen them as small as 1.5 inches and as large as 4 inches. If you can only find one with male threads then use a rod coupling to join the 2 sets of male threads together. Good idea you had, I think I will give it a go myself.

[imashooter2]

If you can weld, just use a big nut. It's not like you need much torque to jiggle the rod.

[jonas302]

How about a knob from a cooking pot lid maybe from the thrift store

[largom]

I would weld a "T" on it.
J

YES, I did'nt weld a "T" but I did put a right angle on mine. A 1/4 turn after each pour stopped all drips.

Larry

[Sonnypie]

Most hobby shops have wooden balls of various sizes.

And Pinocchio comes to mind... :oops:

(Sorry, couldn't help myself....) :bigsmyl2:

[Daddyfixit]

How about a knob from a cooking pot lid maybe from the thrift store

+1 for Goodwill Store, lots of pots & pans should have somthing

[Gunslinger1911]

I use a 4" piece of 1" wood dowell - wood seems to be best, during a casting session anything else would get too hot I think.

thats been my fix for the drips for quite a while, just a quick spin with right hand as left hand is laying down filled mould and grabbing the solidifyed one.

[C.F.Plinker]

Screwdriver handle?

[jimkim]

After giving this some thought I think the answer would be brazing a piece of heavy copper or bras tubing on the top. It would dissipate heat and be way more comfortable in case you grabbed it without a glove on.

[Gunslinger1911]

Lee pot mod number ....... so many I forget !!
But anyway, took that piece of 1" dowell, drilled a half inch hole down from the top, and ....... wait for it ......... dropped 3 .50 cal boolets in. Seems to be just enough weight to keep the Lee from dripping !!!