Taylorcraft Push Pull Knobs

[Axelrod]

Hello, Has anyone figured out a way to restore the original push/pull control knobs out of a '46? The embossing on the high use knobs (Primer & Carb Heat) is worn flat. Has anyone found success with laser engraving, embossing etc? Or is there a modern knob that is nearly identical that can be substituted?? Thanks

[Scott]

I used letter punches to renew the letters, then white paint wiped off to bring the contrast back.

i used the same technique on the carb heat knob which was a generic aftermarket replacement with no lettering originally

[Scott]

This is the only photo I can find that sort of shows the knobs. They actually look a little better than they appear in the photo!

[Hank Jarrett]

Back when Josh and I were making knobs he had a LASER engraver and it worked really nice on our new manufacture knobs. Check around with some of the local trophy engravers. We were casting and marking the pre-war knobs but that style should be just as easy to make a mold for and cast. Being black it will be MUCH easier to get the resin! The pre-war knobs were a plastic that looked like Ivory and we hadn't come up with a good resin when he was taken from us. Most of the old stock ones we still had looked like your mixture knob.

Hank

[astjp2]

ACS makes an aluminum anodized ones that they can engrave, at least I have seen pictures of them...you may have to call them. Tim

[M Towsley]

I received a couple of Josh's attempts at the knobs but they weren't where he wanted them at and was still going to do more work on them, but that did not happen, of course. I would like to replicate the old knobs but have given up without having found anything workable.

[Hank Jarrett]

Something I am taking up again. Just hasn't been high on the list. I did find out that he company that made the ivory colored knobs like were in my 41 used ground up fish scales to give the ivory color. Interesting lead, but no idea what kind of resin they used. We need some input from people who do faux ivory jewelry casting.
There ARE some engraving companies that can engrave the writing on a curved surface. Right now my knobs are marked with a sharpie. Less than satisfactory!

Hank

[Scott]

If you ever watch "Wheeler Dealers" they did an episode with a BMW Isetta. They had the steering wheel re-cast with white/ivory resin. A small shop somewhere in England

i also found this: . https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g2ZLEpHnh3M

[Robert Lees]

Perhaps 3D printing would be better for a small resin item. Can 3D printing be done over a cable end?

[3Dreaming]

Mc Farlane has some ivory colored knobs. One is MC471-052, it is a Piper knob.