Making Replacement Knob Brights. - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Rejectostat · 13th Apr 2009, 8:36 pm

These knob brights look very good. There used to be a chap who made reproduction chrome brights for 1930s Ekcos. However he doesn't seem to be doing them now, last I heard it had not been cost effective to make further stocks. If you could make some up, ideally chromed, (but even just a "chrome colour" would be better than nothing), I am sure there would be a market of grateful potential customers. (Including myself and I know of at least one other).

I tried making some a few years ago, but had no way of making the domed effect, which needs to be done before the plating is applied.

howard · 15th Apr 2009, 11:56 am

Hello again,

Edward very kindly sent me one of the Roberts knob brights and it really is good quality, nice and shiny with a perfectly smooth round edge with no evidence whatsoever of having been trimmed, unlike some other reproduction brights that I've seen. It fits an R300 knob here perfectly, so will also fit knobs on the RT1, R200 etc.

Well done Edward and thanks.

Howard

PS: I need two more please !

Retired · 29th Jun 2009, 8:21 pm

Hi Edward, Top class work and a credit to you. Out of curiosity have you considered metal spinning to turn the edges where needed?
Regards, Col.

igranic · 12th Jul 2009, 11:31 am

Col,

Thank you for your kind comments.

Quote:

Out of curiosity have you considered metal spinning to turn the edges where needed?

I did consider it, but having looked closely at some hand-spun items I decided that the surface finish would need a lot of further work in order to produce an acceptably polished result.

Using the present method I can simply polish the finished item under power whilst it is still mounted on the lathe arbor.

Edward

Phil G4SPZ · 22nd Jul 2009, 6:27 pm

Edward,

Well done on this really interesting piece of reproduction!

I've posted a 'wanted' message elsewhere looking for a particular bright, but in the likely event of my being unable to obtain one, are you willing to take on commissions to make brass brights in small quantities for specific knobs, namely a Regentone DB2? I have a pattern. It looks very similar to your first prototype.

igranic · 23rd Jul 2009, 7:10 pm

PM sent.

MrCrabtree · 24th Aug 2013, 9:53 am

Did we ever get to produce the Hacker Bright ?

I need some

60 oldjohn · 24th Aug 2013, 10:18 am

Edward (Igranic) was taken ill a few years ago (search Forum) I am not sure he would be able to use his lathe again. I see he has not logged into this forum for four months now. Edward If you read this I hope you can say hello.
John.

Nickthedentist · 24th Aug 2013, 11:04 am

That is very sad news. Edward's brights were excellent, and readily available on eBay very reasonably.

Hello from me too, Edward.

N.

13th Apr 2009, 8:36 pm	#21
Rejectostat Hexode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 304	Re: Making Replacement Knob Brights. These knob brights look very good. There used to be a chap who made reproduction chrome brights for 1930s Ekcos. However he doesn't seem to be doing them now, last I heard it had not been cost effective to make further stocks. If you could make some up, ideally chromed, (but even just a "chrome colour" would be better than nothing), I am sure there would be a market of grateful potential customers. (Including myself and I know of at least one other). I tried making some a few years ago, but had no way of making the domed effect, which needs to be done before the plating is applied.

15th Apr 2009, 11:56 am	#22
howard Nonode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK. Posts: 2,593	Re: Making Replacement Knob Brights. Hello again, Edward very kindly sent me one of the Roberts knob brights and it really is good quality, nice and shiny with a perfectly smooth round edge with no evidence whatsoever of having been trimmed, unlike some other reproduction brights that I've seen. It fits an R300 knob here perfectly, so will also fit knobs on the RT1, R200 etc. Well done Edward and thanks. Howard PS: I need two more please !

29th Jun 2009, 8:21 pm	#23
Retired Heptode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield. UK. Posts: 673	Re: Making Replacement Knob Brights. Hi Edward, Top class work and a credit to you. Out of curiosity have you considered metal spinning to turn the edges where needed? Regards, Col.

22nd Jul 2009, 6:27 pm	#25
Phil G4SPZ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK. Posts: 4,672	Re: Making Replacement Knob Brights. Edward, Well done on this really interesting piece of reproduction! I've posted a 'wanted' message elsewhere looking for a particular bright, but in the likely event of my being unable to obtain one, are you willing to take on commissions to make brass brights in small quantities for specific knobs, namely a Regentone DB2? I have a pattern. It looks very similar to your first prototype. __________________ Phil “The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum” - Henry Havelock Ellis

23rd Jul 2009, 7:10 pm	#26
igranic Rest in Peace Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 395	Re: Making Replacement Knob Brights. PM sent.

24th Aug 2013, 9:53 am	#27
MrCrabtree Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 3	Re: Making Replacement Knob Brights. Did we ever get to produce the Hacker Bright ? I need some

24th Aug 2013, 10:18 am	#28
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,801	Re: Making Replacement Knob Brights. Edward (Igranic) was taken ill a few years ago (search Forum) I am not sure he would be able to use his lathe again. I see he has not logged into this forum for four months now. Edward If you read this I hope you can say hello. John.

24th Aug 2013, 11:04 am	#29
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,560	Re: Making Replacement Knob Brights. That is very sad news. Edward's brights were excellent, and readily available on eBay very reasonably. Hello from me too, Edward. N.