Control knob lettering - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

skodajag · 21st Dec 2016, 9:58 pm

I need to re finish the front panel of a post war HMV set and am looking for a source of replacement control knob lettering (bass, treble, gram etc). The original is small stick on gold lettering about 4mm high. I'm ideally looking for someone who will supply the complete words in stick on form rather than just the letters - getting the latter evenly spaced and level would be tedious. Any suggestions? Thanks, Jonathan.

dseymo1 · 22nd Dec 2016, 8:03 am

Try a signwriter.
These days, they work mainly with computer-controlled vinyl cutters, which will reproduce whatever they are asked to in pretty much any colour you like, including metallics.
The only question in my mind is how small a font they can handle successfully.

Nukeybrown · 22nd Dec 2016, 8:50 am

You could try your hand at screenprinting

OscarFoxtrot · 23rd Dec 2016, 10:18 pm

Try
http://www.drytransfershop.co.uk/ (rubbish website)
or other railway modelling suppliers do very small transfers

Bazz4CQJ · 19th Jan 2017, 8:51 pm

Hi

any progress on this? Useful to know.

Wonder if this guy might consider this requiremnt http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1814623939...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
(no connections).

B

skodajag · 20th Jan 2017, 3:52 pm

I've explored several options, along the lines of the helpful suggestions here, but all seem rather labour intensive with no guarantee of success. Although there was nothing very elaborate about the original application of lettering, even slight deviation from the original appearance quickly looks wrong. You know how it is: if you notice it, it probably means it's wrong whereas if you don't it probably means it's right.....So I'm trying to keep the original lettering and touching in where necessary.

Argus25 · 21st Jan 2017, 1:18 pm

The solution to the problem is Gold Letraset. You will have to hunt around on ebay to find the size and font that you prefer. It is becoming less common it seems, in the past the last lot I got was from Spain. It is best applied before the panel receives the final coat of varnish or polyurethane. I have used this extensively in prewar television restoration with great success and it looks just as good as the original.

21st Dec 2016, 9:58 pm	#1
skodajag Pentode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK, Posts: 227	Control knob lettering I need to re finish the front panel of a post war HMV set and am looking for a source of replacement control knob lettering (bass, treble, gram etc). The original is small stick on gold lettering about 4mm high. I'm ideally looking for someone who will supply the complete words in stick on form rather than just the letters - getting the latter evenly spaced and level would be tedious. Any suggestions? Thanks, Jonathan. __________________ Keep Calm and Carry On Restoring

22nd Dec 2016, 8:03 am	#2
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: Control knob lettering Try a signwriter. These days, they work mainly with computer-controlled vinyl cutters, which will reproduce whatever they are asked to in pretty much any colour you like, including metallics. The only question in my mind is how small a font they can handle successfully.

22nd Dec 2016, 8:50 am	#3
Nukeybrown Heptode Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 504	Re: Control knob lettering You could try your hand at screenprinting

23rd Dec 2016, 10:18 pm	#4
OscarFoxtrot Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 805	Re: Control knob lettering Try http://www.drytransfershop.co.uk/ (rubbish website) or other railway modelling suppliers do very small transfers

19th Jan 2017, 8:51 pm	#5
Bazz4CQJ Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oxfordshire, UK. Posts: 4,934	Re: Control knob lettering Hi any progress on this? Useful to know. Wonder if this guy might consider this requiremnt http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1814623939...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (no connections). B __________________ Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch.

20th Jan 2017, 3:52 pm	#6
skodajag Pentode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK, Posts: 227	Re: Control knob lettering I've explored several options, along the lines of the helpful suggestions here, but all seem rather labour intensive with no guarantee of success. Although there was nothing very elaborate about the original application of lettering, even slight deviation from the original appearance quickly looks wrong. You know how it is: if you notice it, it probably means it's wrong whereas if you don't it probably means it's right.....So I'm trying to keep the original lettering and touching in where necessary. __________________ Keep Calm and Carry On Restoring

21st Jan 2017, 1:18 pm	#7
Argus25 No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia. Posts: 2,679	Re: Control knob lettering The solution to the problem is Gold Letraset. You will have to hunt around on ebay to find the size and font that you prefer. It is becoming less common it seems, in the past the last lot I got was from Spain. It is best applied before the panel receives the final coat of varnish or polyurethane. I have used this extensively in prewar television restoration with great success and it looks just as good as the original.