Lamp Switch Knobs

[TDHofstetter]

Hey - anybody know what threads are used in lamp switch knobs? The kind with the little plastic knob on the side of the lamp socket? I'm making some new knobs (probably wooden, or with wooden components) that're easier to turn, and I'm having a devil of a time finding a tap that matches the little bitty threaded switch stud that sticks out the side.

It's maybe a #2 or #3 thread, I'm sure - but I'm not sure if it's NC or NF, nor even how many TPI it's got (I haven't pulled a lamp apart to measure it yet). I'm just hoping someone happens to know without looking. There's precious little on the Internet about it...

EDIT: Just measured. Turns out it's #4-36 NS (National Special). Requires (as one might expect) a special tap... so I've got a project for this evening (making a special thread-forming tap).

-- Tim --

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[beamerweb]

Why the heck ya gotta be way on over there on that side of the island?

It's probably for the best, because I'd likely spend more time at yer place watchin' ya do yer thing than with my wife ... that would probably be bad for all of us, huh? :P

One day, I'm takin' a vacation to that end of the continent just to drop in sometime :)

[cabinetman]

It is a 4-36, not in my selection of taps either. Couldn't you just drill out the subject, and use epoxy, or CA?

[TDHofstetter]

Hey, th' door's ALWAYS open, Beams! :)

-- Tim --

Member of the
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International
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[TDHofstetter]

Could well... but I do want it removable without destroying it. That way I can make up a bunch of 'em & transport 'em from lamp (or socket) to lamp (or socket) as they get replaced. Offer 'em to others, too. :)

-- Tim --

Member of the
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International
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[cabinetman]

Think about this. The end of the shaft is threaded. You glue on a wood knob onto the thread. The knob is then threaded when cured.

[TDHofstetter]

True... but I'm afraid it'd also be glued tight to the threaded stud... unless I used some sort of form release material (PAM?) on the threads. Maybe even then.

-- Tim --

Member of the
Robert "Limey" Bolton Memorial
International
Volunteer Mentorship and Assistance
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[cabinetman]

Tim

Remember that old standby - Vaseline? Maybe a very light film.

[cabinetman]

Actually, now that I thought about this for five or six seconds, if you undersized the hole in the knob, you just might be able to thread it to the shaft.

[Sonny Edmonds]

Well now, here you go...
[link:cgi.ebay.com/Vermont-American-Tap-4-36-new_W0QQitemZ190187566121QQcmdZViewItem | Vermont American Tap]

But better yet would be [link:www.ezlok.com/Home/index.html | imbeddable threaded inserts]. They have an 800 number to call. Epoxy or Super Glue into your knobs before turning.
(I like the second one in the picture for your idea.)


:D

[link:home.earthlink.net/~pie/data/index.html|Sonny Edmonds ]
Saugus, CA
"Precision Firewood Specialist"

"Lurkimus turdius orifus" (Limey-speak latin for a lurking A$$hole)
A handle bestowed on me by my Dear Friend, Robert "Limey" Bolton. 1947-2007

"A candle loses nothing lighting another."


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