Turning small brass knobs

[Ian SilverParticipant @iansilver78430]

I think I have sorted out the picture of what is needed…..

[Ian SilverParticipant @iansilver78430]

[Richard ParsonsParticipant @richardparsons61721]

Ian Most of the brass work from that age was cast. I do not know how you want to make. If you only want a few I seem to remember there was a simple system by a company called I think Tiranti. They sold a simple system. (Usual disclaimer).

There was also a short series in Model Engineers Workshop it was somewhere between 1998 and 2002 but I cannot find it. It shows how to make moulds, make waxes etc.

Rdgs

Dick

[Keith Wardill 1Participant @keithwardill1]

Hi, Ian,

Is the knob you are referring to the one slightly to the left of centre of the brass lock shown in your photo – can you confirm it is screwed into the sliding part? If so, do you know what thread is used, because if you get the knobs made, this thread will also have to be cut correctly, otherwise they will not fit correctly. I would assume from the age of the lock that the thread will probably not be metric, but one of the many types of thread used in those days. It would also be good to know the length of this thread, unless you are able to cut it yourself. If it is not threaded, how is the knob attached to the slide – rivetted over? or what.

Apart from that, they seem fairly simple, and should not involve much work – how many do you need?

[Ian SilverParticipant @iansilver78430]

It is the bit sticking out to operate the sliding bar and yes, it is threaded into the bar behind.

I have just checked and they all have different threads (drat). I think they have been modified over the years when someone has removed (stolen) the original knobs. I'll see if I can get accurate measurements on them and let you have that. I would probably need 4-6.

Do you have an email address so I can get back to you and send photos? And whereabouts are you?

I am in Brentford, west of London.

Many thanks,

Ian.

[Keith Wardill 1Participant @keithwardill1]

Hi, Ian,

If they are all different threads, I would suggest measuring the size of the largest, then all the knobs could be made to (say) the next largest metric size – then you would simply need to drill the slide bars out and tap the same size – I suggest metric because nowadays they are easy to obtain from DIY stores. it should be fairly easy with brass – a hand drill would be OK.

You can send me a private e-mail using the 'Message Member' function at the bottom of your latest post. It would help if you can send a dimensioned sketch.

I live in Romania, but there is no problem to send half a dozen bits back to UK if I make them – postage charges here are negligible compared to UK.

Keith.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

May just be easier to get some small brass knobs, something like these and remove the steel woodscrew and replace with a bit of threaded rod, they come 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4 inch dia and in polished brass. Not too far from you either and there ironmongery is all very good quality not your usual thin cheap tat, I use them quite a bit.

J

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi Ian,

I was also thinking along the same line as Jason but could not find any suitable knobs. A further suggestion to make the knobs more dificult to remove would be to fix them with a countersunk screw from the back of the latch bar. You would need a star washer (Or even better an ant rotation pin.) between the knob and the bar. The main plate would have to have hole drilled at a point behind the bar to insert the countersunk screw.

Les.

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