Billet Knobs for Flight Control Tower?

[gsxrgessler]

Just made up some billet knobs for my Flight Control Tower - what do you think?

They use the original spring loaded feature and have stainless shafts. They are anodized aluminum and are larger than the factory knobs & much more attractive!









I think it is a nice upgrade from this...



:grin:

[saceone]

RE: Billet Knobs for Flight Control Tower?

very neat

[Mikeski]

RE: Billet Knobs for Flight Control Tower?

I'll take two anodized blue please!!!

Hmmm, I wonder if I could run an internal wire to LEDs inside the knob.

[gride300]

RE: Billet Knobs for Flight Control Tower?

i think cc should let all of us, but mainly the savvy guys design a custom nautique. i think w/ everyones' minds working together something really special could be created.

[gsxrgessler]

RE: Billet Knobs for Flight Control Tower?

That would be very cool indeed!

As for colored knobs, I'd be willing to make some up for your guys, but I would need to get the quantity up to 10 sets or more so they weren't too spendy.

What colors would people want?

Does anyone on this forum have access to anodizing equipment?

[core-rider]

RE: Billet Knobs for Flight Control Tower?

Very nice work, but to comment on the anodizing in different colors.... I have notice over time anodized parts seem to fade over time and you end up seeing the aluminum color where the anodized coating has worn off. In the case of yours being clear it wouldn't really show up, but other colors would. Has anyone else noticed this or am I just looking a possible inferior coatings over time? If they do wear off over time, what do you think about powder coating them? I would be interested in a set if the price wasn't too high and the coating (which ever it had) wouldn't wear off over time.

Again, nice looking work you did gsxrgessler. BTW - I would be inteested in black.

[MNSuperAir]

RE: Billet Knobs for Flight Control Tower?

Hey Rick, nice knobs. I'll take a set of black ones for letting you use my snowmobile trailer.

[gsxrgessler]

I like the idea of black, but would have two concerns. If it was powdercoated, chances are that it would not match the black tower color, plus the powdercoating may not cover the knurling consistently.

If it was black anodized, it would definitely fade over time (not a problem for us Northerners!), and it would likely wear off from the edges over time as well.

I was thinking gunmetal grey would look cool too...

Shane - How about a set of knobs for your old Watson! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[kevfran99]

Re: RE: Billet Knobs for Flight Control Tower?

i think cc should let all of us, but mainly the savvy guys design a custom nautique. i think w/ everyones' minds working together something really special could be created.

that would be sweet, but it would likely cost $100k or more!

[MNSuperAir]

Shane - How about a set of knobs for your old Watson! Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

Sounds good to me, those knobs are sweet. Not sure you could ride the big man board though. You need a 140 I think.

60 degrees tomorrow, to bad people are still driving cars on the lake. Not for long though.

[ZANDERSANTE]

I see alot of contrast cut stuff in the motorcycle industry these days.. You could powder coat in black ( or any color ) and then go back and knurl the sides back down to the metal..

[gsxrgessler]

That would look cool! It would add another setup on & scheduling on the lathe, so it would add a bit to the cost, but it may be worth it.

Black or Silver seem to be the two most requested so far. There is a group buy started now by MNSuperAir, we'll see what the color vote is from that.

[RIPnSIX]

Hey all, I am involved with a machine shop that can turn these on a CNC lathe, and I can also get them anodized. Like stated before it would take a bigger quantity to keep the cost down but I could get some pricing around if there is enough interest. I feel the anodize will fade over time, but it would be a couple years to really notice. Also, if that happens you could send them back and get them re-anodized.

[kevfran99]

Hey all, I am involved with a machine shop that can turn these on a CNC lathe, and I can also get them anodized. Like stated before it would take a bigger quantity to keep the cost down but I could get some pricing around if there is enough interest. I feel the anodize will fade over time, but it would be a couple years to really notice. Also, if that happens you could send them back and get them re-anodized.

I'd be interested in some black ones depending on price, but I don't want them to be bigger in size like these are. Would prefer the same size. To me they don't need to stick out!

[gsxrgessler]

Ripnsix, I sent you a PM.

Below is the link for the group buy as well that MNSuperAir started - there is room to vote for your choice of color there as well.

http://www.planetnautique.com/index....wtopic&t=13633

Kevfran99, sounds like you want the same size as the factory knobs? The ones shown above are about 3" diameter...and I forget exactly what the factory knob diameter is, but I think it is 2.25" or 2.5".

:grin: