T2 knob turning

[swt61]

Although some woods look great in larger pieces, their grain pattern is too big to look good on smaller pieces, such as knobs. Snakewood should work really well, if you can find a piece large enough. Another wood with a beautiful small grain pattern is Bocote. It also happens to turn very well...

Edited January 28, 2012 by swt61

[spritzer]

What about zebra wood to drive the LCD-3 fanboys nuts...?

[wink]

Tasmanian blackwood, Redgum, Jarrah or Irombark......

[Torpedo]

Long ago I used to smoke in pipe. I've always loved the eye pattern of briar wood. I think it could look great for knobs, plus it's hard and very resistant.

[kevin gilmore]

Finding the snakewood turning out to be very hard. I need at minimum a 2 inch cube.

But 2 x 2 x 5 or better desired. If anyone finds anything interesting of an appropriate

size, please email me the link to purchase. Air dried and no cracks...

Also trying to find some merchaum and not having any luck there.

I have found nice pieces of zebra wood and bocote...

[cobra_kai]

Don't know how you feel about ebay but you can find stuff like this for snakewood: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAKEWOOD-12x2-75x2-75-Lumber-Pool-Cues-Knife-Grips-Peppermills-SHIPPED-FREE-/370579325021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56483fc05d

[Voltron]

http://gilmore.chem.northwestern.edu/ebony9.jpg

The "Knob of Voltron" is done and ready to ship.

(the ebony one)

I kind of like the rosewod one for now.

Trying to find a decent size piece of snakewood.

My knob is awesome!

That was fun to say. I felt like Tice for a second.

But seriously, Kevin, that is gorgeous.

[Dreadhead]

Great stuff kevin!

[wink]

http://www.righteouswoods.net/snakewood.html

[kevin gilmore]

I put in a bid on ebay, i'm sure i'll be overbid soon.

I really hate ebay for this kind of stuff.

I'll contact the other place on monday.

[swt61]

Or contact the guy on eBay. He's got more and he'd probably just sell you a piece if the price is right.

[Milosz]

Tungsten. Osmium.

[Craig Sawyers]

This guy http://www.hobbithou...s/snakewood.htm seems to have a large load of snakewood. I've never come across the wood before, but I can see why it is highly thought of looking at the photos.

Scratch that - he just hosts pics of other peoples wood!!!!

Edited January 29, 2012 by Craig Sawyers

[Milosz]

Some of these burls might make cool knobs or panels http://www.hearnehardwoods.com/hardwoods/exotic_hardwoods/exotic_wood/australian_goldfield_burl_lumber/australian_goldfield_burl_wood.html

[Milosz]

Tiger's eye? http://www.ebay.com/...e#ht_1700wt_879

Hone your lapidary skills and make a knob from this.....

Edited February 5, 2012 by Milosz

[livewire]

Purdy rock, but the shit's poison to work with.

Words like crocidolite and chrysotile come to mind.

Dont forget your HEPA facemask and flow plenty of water to keep the dust down.

Edited February 5, 2012 by livewire

[kevin gilmore]

water and hardige lathes is a really bad combination.

i've seen the result and don't want to be blamed for this.

Now lots and lots of oil, that would be possible.

If i do it completely NC, then that lathe is stainless and

designed to take that off white stinking mess that is mostly water.

(the rest of it is bacteria)

[Craig Sawyers]

Yeah - cutting coolant sure smells "characteristic" when it gets an infection.

[livewire]

water and hardige lathes is a really bad combination.

i've seen the result and don't want to be blamed for this.

Now lots and lots of oil, that would be possible.

If i do it completely NC, then that lathe is stainless and

designed to take that off white stinking mess that is mostly water.

(the rest of it is bacteria)

Yeah, I was referring to saw cutting and grinding of gemstones.

Actually soapy water is what is used. An emulsifier is required because asbestos isn't

"water soluble". The additive binds with it to carry it off and contain it.

I suppose that cutting fluid would be preferable in a CNC environment.

And yes, I used to work as a machinist and have stood many hours in front of a lathe or mill

and had to endure stinky cutting fluid. Once that stuff gets on your skin, "it stays with you". Yuck!

[Milosz]

Yeah, I was referring to saw cutting and grinding of gemstones.

Actually soapy water is what is used. An emulsifier is required because asbestos isn't

"water soluble". The additive binds with it to carry it off and contain it.

I suppose that cutting fluid would be preferable in a CNC environment.

And yes, I used to work as a machinist and have stood many hours in front of a lathe or mill

and had to endure stinky cutting fluid. Once that stuff gets on your skin, "it stays with you". Yuck!

Could you cut that stone on a CNC mill? Wouldn't even a silicon carbide cutter get dull about immediately? I guess diamond tools could be used, at low speed.

Yeah, tigers eye, the fibers inside are asbestos.... don't want that flying around. Actually even ordinary silica-type rock dust is bad.

But... I wonder if someone with lapidary skills and gear could turn this 2.5 inch lump of rock into a short, wide cylinder- i.e., a KNOB. Maybe with a domed top, sort of quasi- cabochon...? Or maybe a flat "bar" type knob...

[Voltron]

Another stressful day in the smartphone wars was lightened a bit when The Knob of Voltron arrived. Here it is in all of its glory.

I've found that rubbing the knob relieves some stress, so it will be difficult to let it go and mount it to the T2.

Thanks for the beautiful work, Kevin. The KOV will be another highlight on the already amazing T2.

[luvdunhill]

nice knob voltron! glad it makes you happy!

[mikeymad]

nice knob voltron!

^this ...

[morphsci]

Nice!

[swt61]

I also find that rubbing the knob relieves stress. I bet I could relieve even more if I could get someone else to...but I digress.

That really is a beautiful piece of work, and will make a fantastic addition to a fantastic amp! Hmmm, Gabon Ebony side pieces for the T-2?