Need help, Cheap Knobs for the Shop?

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Hmmm.  I'm working on a few woodworking projects.  Need to make some shop fixtures.  I'm sorta all out of ideas, and I'm a cheap bastard. I need some bolts that can be easily hand tightened for some woodworking jigs and fixture projects. Pretty low torque, nothing crazy.  Here's some of the things I've done in the past.Plywood cut into octagon shape, drilled / chiseled for bolt.  It works, but has its woes.  The locknut on the back side often comes loose first. (photo 1)Cool use for old steering u-joint spider from old Jeep Wrangler. There is a flat tip screwdriver bolt TIG welded to the back of the spider.  Works good, but only had one of these in the old scrap bin.  (photo 2)Here's a store bought clamp with cheap plastic knob. Ugh. (photo 3)Tools I have: bench grinder, small portaband bandsaw, drill press, 4.5" grinder.  I have lots of old nuts & bolts & washers.  I have a small selection of scrap metal for welding practice and what not.  No lathe, no vertical mill.  My current thought is to cut large washer in half, TIG weld it to top of bolt.  Another option is to take length of large diameter wire, TIG weld it to top of bolt.  Make a simple T handle knob.  (photo 4) Any other ideas out there?  Need something functional, doesn't have to be pretty.  thanks, Zip. Attached Images
Reply:I use a bolt with a piece of rebar welded to the top for knobs all the time, it's like the drawing that you have.You can see the knob on a mig gun holder I made. It's a 1/2" bolt with 3/8" rebar .
Reply:I've used single chain links welded onto bolt heads. Simple, attractive, and plentiful. I'm a cheap bastard too!CamW: I just love your mig gun holder. I never had...or used one. My poor guns are always falling off my tables etc. and end up hitting the floor ...more often than not. Methinks I'll copy yours but mount it to one of the round magnetic ground lugs (that I never use). Thanks for the cool design idea.  .Last edited by SMC Weldcraft; 06-11-2013 at 05:21 AM.POVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:Here are some knobs with 1/4" x 20 brass insert.  You could Loctite or epoxy in a piece of threaded rod.On sale for 25 cents each.http://www.grizzly.com/outlet/Star-Knob-1-/H3485"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by OldendumHere are some knobs with 1/4" x 20 brass insert.  You could Loctite or epoxy in a piece of threaded rod.      On sale for 25 cents each.http://www.grizzly.com/outlet/Star-Knob-1-/H3485
Reply:Here's one I made a while back.http://weldingweb.com/showpost.php?p...1&postcount=17 Attached Images
Reply:Wading thru my junk box, found these large nails.  I really like the chain link idea, unfortunately the only chain I had was either way too large or way too small for a 5/16" bolt.See photos.  The only thing left to do is cut them down to size and file a chamfer on the ends of the nail.--Zip Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by zipzitSee photos.  The only thing left to do is cut them down to size and file a chamfer on the ends of the nail.
Reply:http://www.mcmaster.com/#machine-com...-knobs/=n5czdeThese are $0.75 each.  There are plenty more that are under a couple bucks a piece depending on the size you need.  Some things are just way easier to buy...Last edited by kazlx; 06-11-2013 at 01:50 PM.
Reply:SS one I made for the lawn mower seat:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=149721#5
Reply:Originally Posted by SMC WeldcraftI've used single chain links welded onto bolt heads. Simple, attractive, and plentiful. I'm a cheap bastard too!CamW: I just love your mig gun holder. I never had...or used one. My poor guns are always falling off my tables etc. and end up hitting the floor ...more often than not. Methinks I'll copy yours but mount it to one of the round magnetic ground lugs (that I never use). Thanks for the cool design idea.  .
Reply:if i cant make it from my scrap pile i dont need it Attached Images
Reply:How about multiple chain links to make a 4-lobe knob.  Modeled below is four 7/32 links on a 1/2-13 x 1.5 bolt.  Apply weld bead as needed... Attached Images
Reply:Recycled from one of my alloyavenue threads:lost foam - aluminum over steelIf I had known this was going to work as well as it did, I would have cut the foam more carefully. I used an X-acto knife and the edges were not so great. The bolt is a 3/8-16 x 1.25. The pattern was cut from 1/2" blue DOW foam. The head of the bolt was recessed into the round portion of the foam before the two pieces were glued together. So, the top of the bolt head is where the shoulder of the knob meets the head of the knob. This was the first time I had masking-taped a lost foam pattern. As you can see, it left some discoloration on the casting. I cleaned it up some on the lathe and with a rough file. I still need to finish shaping the lobes. But, the bolt is locked in there like a mutha. I will definitely be doing more over-casting like this in the future. Next project is to build a hot wire foam cutter so I can cut patterns more cleanly. Already got the nichrome wire on order... ;-) Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by dbotosRecycled from one of my alloyavenue threads:lost foam - aluminum over steel
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireThat's great. I just registered over at alloyavenue and posted one of my foundry questions.
Reply:zapzitY'all are killing me.  Knobs exited before the wheel.  www.Reidsupply.comOpus
Reply:Thanks for the link Opus!  They have some of the coolest knobs I've ever seen!  Someday I'll actually BUY one instead of cheapo Jerry rigging it!
Reply:This is the first useful thing I made with my new TIG welder.  I just melted nails to the bolt, no filler.  The bolt was metric bought at a big box store.  The welder was an open box buy with a missing handheld face shield and gas regulator knob.  I saved $200 over the normal price so it was a good tradeoff.Eastwood 200 AC/DC TIG Lincoln pro Mig 180Century 230/140 AC/DC stickCraftsman Colormatic AC stick
Reply:You could fashion these type up for knob handles.  Mig weld these onto the top of a threaded bolt.  You get the idea. Attached ImagesLincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Would probably have to find old ones.  Most nowadays are die-cast (non-steel).