Anyone know a good aliexpress search term for finding 3.17mm pot knobs? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 09:54:05 am
content: Does anyone know a good aliexpress search term for finding pot knobs for 1/8" / 3.17mm shafts?I want to replace the Kilo OEJL-50-2-6 with something cheaper. Paying like $9 a knob hurts my brain.Searching always finds pages and pages of 6mm knobs even when including all possible iterations of 1/8" / 3.17mm.So it making finding anything usable pretty impossible.Or alternative does anyone know a china supplier that might have something similar.Arrow or line marking, black metal, ~12.5mm diameter and ~16mm long with hole for 1/8" shaft.And, does anyone agree that for some odd reason ~98% of pot knobs you see for sale look so damn ugly. It so strange why almost everyone is selling ugly pot knobs.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 02:21:12 pm
content: Did you try 3.2mm?

author: JohanH
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2023, 02:48:42 pm
content: Aliexpress search is crap. Use google for such specific search terms:https://www.google.com/search?q=3.2mm+knob+site%3Aaliexpress.comYou can select the Images tab for a better overview. Note that some search results might be old.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 09:50:53 am
content: I wonder if i'd be better looking for some sort of insert/spacer so a 6mm knob can be used on a 3.17mm pot shaftEither that or maybe i need to go on alibaba and get someone to custom drill an order of knobs to 3.2mm

author: _Wim_
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 07:03:23 pm
content: If you have access to a 3D printer, I would just print a sleeve that adapts your 3.2 mm shaft to 6mm and buy a 6mm knob that you like.Should be possible to find plastic tubing with 1/8" ID and 1/4" OD (if knobs with 1/4" are more common).

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2023, 07:28:48 pm
content: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004632159620.htmlhttps://de.aliexpress.com/item/32953960726.htmlHere, 22cents a piece:https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/1-8-shaft-Plastic-Rotary-knob_60665233236.html

author: pope
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2023, 11:02:08 pm
content: Quote from: DC1MC on March 09, 2023, 07:28:48 pmHe'll end up with 999 spare ones

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 02:53:23 am
content: It also looks ugly, and does not comply with requirement.Quote from: Psi on March 07, 2023, 09:54:05 am

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 01:28:51 pm
content: if 9$ hurt your brain and you loose too many time searching in vain or asking others on their time ... your 9$ is already spent by being picky loll

author: EPAIII
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 07:01:53 am
content: You don't show a country so I don't know where you are located. Perhaps Pluto?I don't know why people think a source like Aliexpress is a good choice when the old line electronics supply houses compete on their prices down to three or four decimal places.Just one, Mouser, beats your $9 price by a factor of at least 8 or, in other words their lowest price, 1/8" knob is around $1.04 for ONE piece. The price goes down for larger quantities. Just a quick search and sorted by price, low to high.https://www.mouser.com/c/electromechanical/knobs-dials/?shaft%20diameter=1%2F8%20in~~3.2%20mm&rp=electromechanical%2Fknobs-dials%7C~Shaft%20Diameter&sort=pricingHere's a rather nice looking, plastic one for $1.86https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Apem/MPK50B1-8?qs=ooeArD5nza%252Bk4LRF3TWd%2Fg%3D%3DAnd an aluminum one for $3.96https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Apem/420061B1-8?qs=M4TnNOEtqGEmixQD%252Bp5gkg%3D%3DThey have a long list of knobs for under your $9 price. And I am sure DigiKey would have a long list too. If you are in Europe there are real supply houses there too and they are just as competitive with their prices. Heck, even if you are in China you can probably get knobs shipped in for less than $9.Aliexpress? Probably the absolute LAST source I would look at. OK, they have free shipping for over $10. But even if you buy just 5 knobs (5 X $9 = $45), you are going to be better off with one of the old line houses. Frankly, I would get at least 10 to get a price break and put the extras on the shelf for the next project.