Mopar dash knobs, reproduction

[central52]

On ebay, there's a person who does reproduction Mopar dash knobs. They look pretty good. Check it out. www.ebay.39-40-41-46-48-chrysler-desoto-dodge-plymouth-dash-knobs.

[P-12 Tommy]

I'm missing the main three (throttle, headlights and choke), but I don't know if they're gonna be worth the 64 bucks. I kinda want to but something keeps holding me back.

Tom

[RobertKB]

Throttle and choke knobs are attached to the cables and cannot be removed. Headlight knob has a special clip to hold it in place, not a set screw like the heater and temp knobs. Not sure how these knobs work as my computer does not want to bring up the given URL.

[BobT-47P15]

That link didn't work for me.

The one guy that's been selling new repros on ebay lately says to

just glue the knobs on. Not sure that's the answer in all cases.

Kevin, "Stearman (whatever number)" who used to appear on ebay,

offered to mold certain knobs onto the cables as original, if you sent

him the cable. I believe he works in the plastics industry = haven't

seen his name for a while however. Some knobs screw on with threads

and also have a set screw.

[P-12 Tommy]

Here's the real link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/39-40-41-46-48-chrysler-desoto-dodge-plymouth-dash-knob-/330501466318?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf36c28ce Somebody ought to be the guinea pig and buy 'em. That way we'll know if they're junk or not. lol

Tom

[Young Ed]

Here's the real link. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/39-40-41-46-48-chrysler-desoto-dodge-plymouth-dash-knob-/330501466318?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4cf36c28ce Somebody ought to be the guinea pig and buy 'em. That way we'll know if they're junk or not. lol Tom

You pay I'll buy and I promise to give a detailed review.

[michael.warshaw]

they look great edddie speigal make nice p15 repros aswell, i think eddies look better but i never had those in hand so im not sure?

[desoto1939]

Ok Guys. I purchased some of these knobs for my 39 Desoto. I bought the Window knob, Throttle, wiper and lighter knob and gear shift knob.

This guy is th eonly one that has any thing for my 39 Desoto. i tookthe bite and will let you know how they look. On his current post on the last picture are the knobs that he just did for me. He did not paint the knobs as per my request.

I should be getting htem withinthe next week and will post my insepction of the knobs. I plan to drill a set screw hole into each knob. I know the originals had a spring clip but he can not make this option so he is doint the best that he can do. Since he is the only game in town we have to admire his ambission and be thankful. If someone can do a better job then please step upto the plate. Lets give him a chance. A repro that is a little off is better that no knob at all of a different knob that does not look the same.

I am game so will report back to all of you.

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

[Young Ed]

Sounds like if we ask he could do the headlight one with a hole in it where a collar and a set screw could go into. I wouldnt care if I had a setscrew I just dont like the idea of attempting to drill holes into a $20 knob.

[desoto1939]

Sounds like if we ask he could do the headlight one with a hole in it where a collar and a set screw could go into. I wouldnt care if I had a setscrew I just dont like the idea of attempting to drill holes into a $20 knob.

Young ed: I agree that I also do not like drilling ahole in the $20 Knob but this is the only game in town for me. The 39 Desoto knobs are impossible to find even at Hershey, I know since I have had this car for 23+ years and have only found two NOS knobs. For you that have the 46-48 cars there were more knobs produced and you have a better chnace of finding some NOS in the swwap meets.

If I want to keep the car running and looking good then I have to take advantage of what is available. Sometimes we need to modify some of the reproduction items. Event the rubber that is being sold for the rear quarter swing out windows does not come in one single piece but comes in two pices and has to be cut to fit our cars some some modification is required.

I am not questioning your comments but this is what I need to do for my individual car.

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

[thrashingcows]

I spotted those last night as well. Took a long hard look at them and saved them to my favs for future reference.

I like the idea of a set screw, compared to gluing them on. An untapped hole created during the casting process would be preferable to having to drill them yourself. Then you could tape them and use your set screw, or plug them and glue them on if that is what you desire.

[Plymouthy Adams]

this came up a bit back..if the item is not cast with a metal insert that is threaded and then cross drilled and tapped..I would not trust them to last very long..just my opinion but given the use the knobs will recieve..I feel this is quite important

[desoto1939]

Last night I received the 6 knobs that the gentleman in Florida is reproducing.

I ordered these for my 39 Desoto.

I received 2 door riser knobs, Throrrle, Lighted and wiper and the Shift knob.

The overall color was very close to the original. The color of the original was a like more on the pink side his was a little darker. I can accept the difference in shading.

Not this is a driver and not a show car.

There were holes drilled in each knob to attach to the appropriate switch or end. None of the knobs were threaded.

There was good detail in the window knob It has a spiral affect and it was of good detail.

The three dash knobs were not painted as per my request. I will match to what I already am using on my car a creame color.

The impression for the lettering was a little faint and the detail could have been more distict. I am hopeing that after applying the cream coloring to the knobs that the lettering with be more pronounced.

Over all I feel he did a good job Again these are not NOS nor willthey ever be NOS quality. I am just happy to have extra knobs incase if mine break in the future. I have been looking for 23 years for knobs at Hershey and have only come across 2 NOS. The P15D25 knobs might be easir to acquire because of the numbers that were produced versus only some 30K Desoto's were made in 1939.

I can send pictures if you would like to see his work up close. Again not perfect but respectfuly done by an amatuer. For me do try to do this would have cost me more in money and time. This is just my opinion and should not be used to make a decision to purchase these items. He does offer a refund if you are not satified. Most reproducers of items do not offer a refund after they have made you a custom item.

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

[thrashingcows]

Glad your satisfied with them. Like you said it's better to have "something" then nothing at all. And I too could live with the color being off, and the letters being a bit faint, better then cracked, broken or repaired originals.

[47heaven]

Well, considering that the other ones that were being popped out by a guy on here a few years back were going for $35 a piece, I don't think $20 is too bad.

[Jim Saraceno]

I am hopeing that after applying the cream coloring to the knobs that the lettering with be more pronounced.

What are you using to coat these and how are you applying it?

I'd love to see the knobs before and after you coat them.

I have to admit, I don't have a problem with the $20 price tag on these. First, if you're the only show in town, you can charge about anything you want. Second, these small cottage industries when an individual is fabricating things in very low volumes, the amount of time put into these things usually justifies those prices. If he's putting an hours labor into one knob and using $5 in material, he's making $15/ hour. Not bad but you'll never get rich that way.

JMHO

[Plymouthy Adams]

but that still not answer the question of not doing it to specifications to begin with...

most lettering is done with a paint stick, rub into the groove of the letters and lightly remove the excess with a soft cloth, let the paint dry..works fine, lasts a long time..get these at the paint supply store..colors like yellow, white black and red are readily available

http://www.markingpendepot.com/8colorspaintstikbfrommarkalpermanentmarksonroughsurfacesfreesafetyglassoffer.aspx

Edited December 3, 2010 by Tim Adams

[busycoupe]

Paint sticks work well. I touched up the lettering on my dash knobs with a white stick. A while back I was working on something that needed gold. I found it a Cabelas. They sold it to use on lettering on gun barrels.

Dave

[Gary Manes]

I checked the other day and again today to make sure, but none of his knobs are for '46-'48 Desotos or Chryslers.

They do look like life savers for the P15-D24 folks, however.

The post war Desoto knobs have been attempted. I saw an ad on e-bay several years ago, but they were just a little odd compared to the originals or I would have purchased a set for possible future use. If necessary, I have a number of extra and NOS knobs for my New Yorker which I will substitue should the original Desoto knobs start breaking.

[desoto1939]

What are you using to coat these and how are you applying it?

I'd love to see the knobs before and after you coat them.

I have to admit, I don't have a problem with the $20 price tag on these. First, if you're the only show in town, you can charge about anything you want. Second, these small cottage industries when an individual is fabricating things in very low volumes, the amount of time put into these things usually justifies those prices. If he's putting an hours labor into one knob and using $5 in material, he's making $15/ hour. Not bad but you'll never get rich that way.

JMHO

Jim, I use the hotshot pin stipping paint to do allof my lettering. I dab some onthe knob face and the wipe off the excess. I will post before and after shots for the club.

Rich Hartung

[thrashingcows]

To detail small lettering I've used modeling paint and a tooth pick.

[old rat 49]

All I can say is that those prices are beyond my budget as my car is a daily driver/grocery getter and my only car. The wife has hers. I need some knobs and will more than likely just make a quick mold of a knob with no lettering and make my own. They will be good enough for me.

[ALANSKING]

On 11/30/2010 at 8:01 PM, desoto1939 said:

Last night I received the 6 knobs that the gentleman in Florida is reproducing.

I ordered these for my 39 Desoto.

I received 2 door riser knobs, Throrrle, Lighted and wiper and the Shift knob.

The overall color was very close to the original. The color of the original was a like more on the pink side his was a little darker. I can accept the difference in shading.

Not this is a driver and not a show car.

There were holes drilled in each knob to attach to the appropriate switch or end. None of the knobs were threaded.

There was good detail in the window knob It has a spiral affect and it was of good detail.

The three dash knobs were not painted as per my request. I will match to what I already am using on my car a creame color.

The impression for the lettering was a little faint and the detail could have been more distict. I am hopeing that after applying the cream coloring to the knobs that the lettering with be more pronounced.

Over all I feel he did a good job Again these are not NOS nor willthey ever be NOS quality. I am just happy to have extra knobs incase if mine break in the future. I have been looking for 23 years for knobs at Hershey and have only come across 2 NOS. The P15D25 knobs might be easir to acquire because of the numbers that were produced versus only some 30K Desoto's were made in 1939.

I can send pictures if you would like to see his work up close. Again not perfect but respectfuly done by an amatuer. For me do try to do this would have cost me more in money and time. This is just my opinion and should not be used to make a decision to purchase these items. He does offer a refund if you are not satified. Most reproducers of items do not offer a refund after they have made you a custom item.

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

I enjoy these sort of debates and feedback on parts , may I offer my half penny worth of knowledge on this subject.

Find a supplier of some silicon mould making product often sold by glass fibre suppliers. Find a friend , make a friend or just plain ingratiate yourself with a fellow Mopart nut who has a similar or same car as you. Borrow beg and steal his dash knobs and suspend them appropriately over a suitable receptacle and pour in the silicon. While your new friend waits to see his knob go up in smoke give him a beer to relax. After a few or a lot of beers ,dependant on drinking speed , have a barbeque, no seriously once your silicon cures carefully with a very sharp blade cut away from the knob on one side so as not to damage it and prise it out the slot you have now made.

 

From the same supplier buy some structural casting resin. This is normally cream in colour and with a bit of experimentation you can tint it to the right tone.

 

Pour some of this in your mould and hey Presto, Bob's your uncle, whatever expression you wish to use , you will have a knob. 

Yes I hear those with infinite wisdom, what about the hole for mounting? Drill it!

 

For those with more skills you can make a little insert and mould it in, or mould it directly onto the cable end , even if threaded as it will then unscrew if you wisely clean and wipe a tiny amount of release agent on it.

 

If you have one you can make a mould for another easily, winder knob tops can be directly moulded on handles etc.

 

Clear resin is also available as are numerous dyes, oh and the silicon if chosen correctly is high heat, this means you can make metal parts too from white metal.

 

Help each other out if you can. See my post about Sun visor brackets.

 

 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

so...when does you new line of Mopar dash knobs hit e-bay.....lol     I was asked last week about some casting and who may do it....not I said the chicken not I said the duck....