Hi guys. I really want to build a couple of knobsters and so far have found all the parts required bar the actual knobs. Has anyone got any tips? I’ve spent ages searching the internet with no success.
Many thanks
If you have access to the 3d printer, have a look at this based on 2 rotary encoders:
Search for EC11EBB24C03 . These are wonderful dual encoders made by Alps. You can buy them all over the place, especially on AliExpress where you’ll find them cheaper than anywhere else
Amazon has them, but not as low price as AliExpress
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Yes definitely from Alixpress, £6 - £7 each, bought quite a few in the past.
Yep the self sourced EC11’s are a good solution.
LeoBodnar is expensive for most stuff including dual encoders.
Propwash also sell a smaller lower quality one. I have a couple and they are not in the same league as the EC11’s.
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Is AliExpress trustworthy?
I see their super low prices and get scared.
Edit:
Disregard, missed that Sling was already responding 
You’re in good hands!
Absolutely! I’ve bought loads of stuff from AliExpress over the years and had nothing but excellent service. The goods are excellent, very low cost and the shipping incredibly fast.
I’ve also used aliexpress for years and found it excellent for what I needed.
That said, I wouldn’t use it for cheap named brand electronic components. In my experience, they are verifiable counterfeit parts. The audio electronics forum I was on was littered with questions and complaints about this and it was demonstrated repeatedly that fake components were lacking in performance, reliability or both.
For crucial components, buy the genuine article from one of the big companies (mouser in the US, RS in the UK for example), they are usually very reasonably priced. Potentiometers ( in this use case especially) benefit from using the genuine article of a good brand, Alps were mentioned and they are indeed very good. If you don’t want to pay the cost of a genuine Alps, just buy a cheaper non branded version, that’s all you’re getting with a fake one minus the associated mark up for the fake branding.
Thanks guys. I’ve been planning to get the stuff from AliExpress. I just can’t find the knobs to go on top. The Leo bodnar ones seem to have a different shaped rod than those elsewhere. Thanks on the model number though I’ll add them to my ever increasing basket!
Hi! Did you ever find any knobs that would fit?
I am also looking for this…
I did buy some of those rotary encoders from AliExpress. The encoders work perfectly, but I am also not finding the correct knobs. I found some larger guitar knobs, and tried to use some washers inside, but that was not a very good solution…
The inner diameter on my encoders are Ø3.5 mm and Ø6 mm.
I 3D printed the knobs for my encoders.
Ah, sadly I don’t have a 3D printer.
(But I guess I need to buy one soon. It is almost a must when trying to build your own gadgets. )
If you need a lot of knobs, then using an on-line printing facility might be a good option. But just for one or two, it’s not cost-effective. My printer is just a FDM printer so not the best in the world. There was a bit of trial and error getting the shaft diameters exactly right because of plastic shrinkage. If you think of going the 3D printer route, you might find a resin printer to be a better way of printing good parts.
Used them too, never had an issue, a lot of stuff on Amazon actually comes from AE, obviously marked up.
I didn’t. I bought some guitar knobs which kinda work. Slightly offset. If I’d had a 3d printer I’d be sorted! Wonder if I can sneak one into the house? !
Propwash is the best value…cheaper than Bodnar by half, but a bit lower on quality and feel.
I second Propwash. I’ve never used Bodnar switches but the Propwash ones have been great for the 3 years I’ve been using them.
The propwash ones are not the best. They are smaller than others and the feel and performance are not as good either. I have a couple of them but after using better Alps or Grayhill ones the difference is night and day. It’s easy to recommend something when you have no point of reference better. It’s the same old point that’s been had over time with folks that say the Saitek pedals are great. You have to have seen and used a few different ones to be able to objectively come to a conclusion like that. Sure it’s opinion to a certain degree but it has to be informed.
The point being that like most things every product is not of an equal standard. It depends on what you are after. Cheapest or Better Quality. You get what you pay for generally. Personally I don’t like the Bodnar prices as a lot of the stuff there is more than it should be but on this occasion i have to side with the ones they supply.