Where to get vintage-style bakelite knobs? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Humanoid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2021, 03:02:09 pm
content: Hi guysI'm trying to find 1 or more sources that sell 1920s-1960s style black bakelite knobs that you might see on vintage pro audio gear and radios, or mad scientist contraptions in old movies. I need various sizes and shapes from small to large to use on potentiometers. I'd like to avoid custom-made stuff unless price isn't too high.I'd also prefer USA sources to avoid high shipping costs.Thanks

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2021, 03:07:39 pm
content: Have you tried Antique Electronic Supplyhttps://www.tubesandmore.com/?They have lots of knobs for the Fender guitar amplifier people.

author: Humanoid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2021, 06:30:56 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on April 20, 2021, 03:07:39 pmThanks. Most of their stuff looks too modern or it's guitar stuff. They do have some chicken heads though.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2021, 07:12:41 pm
content: There's an electronic surplus place in a NE suburb of Cleveland (Mentor):https://www.electronicsurplus.com/search/KnobsThey will let you browse. I used to go there almost monthly when it was in Slavic Village, but Mentor is a bit far for me to go just to browse.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2021, 09:59:19 pm
content: vintage on ebay, thats what I got, but thats for repair.you need it for production?

author: Humanoid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 04:20:07 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on April 20, 2021, 07:12:41 pmThanks Ill check it out.

author: Humanoid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 04:23:04 pm
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on April 20, 2021, 09:59:19 pmThis is for a personal custom project I'm designing.Yeah, I've checked ebay. That's where I've found most of the nice ones, just a bit pricey and I haven't been able to find many large knobs—I found some around 3", but usually they are graduated like a dial instead of just the plain knob.I did find a tutorial on using silicon and resin to get very close replicas from originals, so I may do that. I just need to find the originals first that I like

author: xmo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 10:21:30 pm
content: Vintage knobs. Not cheap.https://www.surplussales.com/ShaftHardware/Knobs-2.html

author: xmo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2021, 10:36:16 pm
content: And here:http://renovatedradios.com/productlist.php

author: Humanoid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 03:29:49 pm
content: Quote from: xmo on April 21, 2021, 10:21:30 pmYeah, some are expensive, but they have some cool stuff at this place. Thanks a lot for the link

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 03:40:25 pm
content: Another old-school surplus vendor, with a lot of old military knobs:https://fairradio.com/knobs/

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2021, 08:28:45 pm
content: It would really help if you put in your location. I can suggest some places in Florida. 1940s and 50s vintage knobs are rather easy to find here and 1920s and 1930s aren't very difficult to find. Other than that, Ebay, Craigslists, hamfests, and surplus and thrift stores and garage sales. I just picked up half of truck load of old MIL test equipment just to salvage the vintage GR and other type knobs and other bits from. I was back at the Source yesterday and they had some GR type knobs up to about 4 1/2 inches in diameter on some of the stuff in their scrap.Look for groups like this onehttp://clge.com/radiorelics/fawg.htmland go their their swap meets. Tons of Vintage stuff there!Oh and Skycraft in Orlando.Post some pictures or links to pictures of what you're looking for.

author: Humanoid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2021, 01:45:14 am
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on April 22, 2021, 08:28:45 pm*drool*I'm in Savannah, GA.I probably should have said "online" which is where I get most of my stuff these days. I'm actually without a vehicle since I moved here, so where I can reach locally is limited, and hauling piles of wonderful electronics to harvest is not likely to happen, unfortunately.If you would like to connect and ever care to grab some items for me I would gladly send you some cash. Feel free to message me. If not, no worries.