Securing a Loose Vol Knob

[diablo175]

The recently acquired Ibanez Sure-Grip knob fits the shaft of the vol. pot on my Standard but because it's a used item, is not as snug as could be. It doesn't rotate freely around the shaft but it feels as though it could pop off the top if pulled up on in any way.

Suggestions on how to secure it?

[topekatj]

A lil’ Teflon tape around the pot shaft? As long as the paint on the inside of the knob isn’t too worn you should not see the tape. 

[Jeff R]

I'll echoplex teflon plumber's tape as a fast, effective fix. A dot of wood glue works and the bond is easy to break if you have to remove the knob later.

If you have no teflon tape and are a little braver ... get a very thin bladed flathead screwdriver and a small hammer.

Put the tip of the screwdriver blade in the split in the stem. GENTLY GENTLY GENTLY GENTLY tap the hammer (just one GENTLE TAP) to ever so slightly and GENTLY spread the tabs a tad. Test the knob. If it's still a little spinny and needs a little more grip, repeat. No more than a GENTLE TAP!

Why the emphasis on gentle and tap? Because those split ears are weak brass and too much screwdriver "wedge" in the split WILL break one of the stem ears off, creating more problems!

[aknapp]

1 hour ago, Jeff R said:

 

Why the emphasis on gentle and tap? Because those split ears are weak brass and too much screwdriver "wedge" in the split WILL break one of the stem ears off, creating more problems!

Been there, done that!   😱

[ZR]

I've done that but did go one step too far. Heed Jeff's warning!

[diablo175]

16 hours ago, Jeff R said:

I'll echoplex teflon plumber's tape as a fast, effective fix. A dot of wood glue works and the bond is easy to break if you have to remove the knob later.

If you have no teflon tape and are a little braver ... get a very thin bladed flathead screwdriver and a small hammer.

Put the tip of the screwdriver blade in the split in the stem. GENTLY GENTLY GENTLY GENTLY tap the hammer (just one GENTLE TAP) to ever so slightly and GENTLY spread the tabs a tad. Test the knob. If it's still a little spinny and needs a little more grip, repeat. No more than a GENTLE TAP!

Why the emphasis on gentle and tap? Because those split ears are weak brass and too much screwdriver "wedge" in the split WILL break one of the stem ears off, creating more problems!

The knob does NOT spin- the shaft is spline'd and the fit is sufficient for no spinning. The knob just tends to pull up and off a little easily for my sense of security.

[Jeff R]

Got it.

Doesn't change the remedies I offered.

[Dave Scepter]

2 hours ago, diablo175 said:

The knob does NOT spin- the shaft is spline'd and the fit is sufficient for no spinning. The knob just tends to pull up and off a little easily for my sense of security.

Just add a TINY drop of Elmer's glue to the top of the shaft, push knob on and let it sit over night... you'll still be able to remove if needed "with a gentle tap"..  just do one to experiment with... Elmer's is also water soluble after drying 

[Jimbilly]

On 11/19/2023 at 2:06 PM, Jeff R said:

If you have no teflon tape and are a little braver ... get a very thin bladed flathead screwdriver and a small hammer.

Put the tip of the screwdriver blade in the split in the stem. GENTLY GENTLY GENTLY GENTLY tap the hammer (just one GENTLE TAP) to ever so slightly and GENTLY spread the tabs a tad. Test the knob. If it's still a little spinny and needs a little more grip, repeat. No more than a GENTLE TAP!

Why the emphasis on gentle and tap? Because those split ears are weak brass and too much screwdriver "wedge" in the split WILL break one of the stem ears off, creating more problems!

I've used a small knife blade (on the smallest available swiss army knife), that is at it's maximum width only slightly wider than the split, making it nearly impossible to 'over wedge'.

[scottcald]

On 11/19/2023 at 5:06 PM, Jeff R said:

I'll echoplex teflon plumber's tape as a fast, effective fix. A dot of wood glue works and the bond is easy to break if you have to remove the knob later.

If you have no teflon tape and are a little braver ... get a very thin bladed flathead screwdriver and a small hammer.

Put the tip of the screwdriver blade in the split in the stem. GENTLY GENTLY GENTLY GENTLY tap the hammer (just one GENTLE TAP) to ever so slightly and GENTLY spread the tabs a tad. Test the knob. If it's still a little spinny and needs a little more grip, repeat. No more than a GENTLE TAP!

Why the emphasis on gentle and tap? Because those split ears are weak brass and too much screwdriver "wedge" in the split WILL break one of the stem ears off, creating more problems!

Very true.  I've broken a couple.  I use a flathead that is the same or barely wider than the bottom of the slot.  Or start by sticking it on the side and working upward. 

[topekatj]

@diablo175 Y Ain’t this dang knob fixed yet ?

[diablo175]

On 11/27/2023 at 4:06 PM, topekatj said:

@diablo175 Y Ain’t this dang knob fixed yet ?

It is! It is!