I'm trying to disassemble a Travler 5044 AM radio/phono to clean it up and get it working - it had been in storage for many years and it may work now, but I don't want to take a chance on toasting it so I'd like to check it out before powering it up. The knobs need to be removed in order to get the core electrical components out of the box. They're plastic or maybe bakelite and are just pressed on a shaft, but they are stuck very tight and I'd rather not break them. There are three mounted on shafts that run through the front of the box.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks for removing these knobs?
Thanks,
Brad-K

Hi,
Everyone will have their method, but I find that pulling on the knobs with a level of force that you might consider to be almost too much for the knobs; to be about the right amount of tension on the knob, and then try wobbling the knob on the shaft. Udually this is adequate to pop them loose. Only once or twice have I ever had to resort to direct prying with a screwdriver.

Also, if enough of the shaft is showing where you gan grasp it with a long nosed pliers, grabing the shaft and levering against the bottom of the knob- with the shaft as the pivot point and NOT the cabinet, will also work most of the time.

: I'm trying to disassemble a Travler 5044 AM radio/phono to clean it up and get it working - it had been in storage for many years and it may work now, but I don't want to take a chance on toasting it so I'd like to check it out before powering it up. The knobs need to be removed in order to get the core electrical components out of the box. They're plastic or maybe bakelite and are just pressed on a shaft, but they are stuck very tight and I'd rather not break them. There are three mounted on shafts that run through the front of the box.
: Does anyone have any tips or tricks for removing these knobs?
: Thanks,
: Brad-K

Hi Brad

Something Don Black suggested before may work. Wrap a string behind the knob and use it to pull on the knob. This way you won't damage the knob or radio using a tool.

Might want to try some WD40 between knob & shaft?

Norm

: I'm trying to disassemble a Travler 5044 AM radio/phono to clean it up and get it working - it had been in storage for many years and it may work now, but I don't want to take a chance on toasting it so I'd like to check it out before powering it up. The knobs need to be removed in order to get the core electrical components out of the box. They're plastic or maybe bakelite and are just pressed on a shaft, but they are stuck very tight and I'd rather not break them. There are three mounted on shafts that run through the front of the box.
: Does anyone have any tips or tricks for removing these knobs?
: Thanks,
: Brad-K

: I'm trying to disassemble a Travler 5044 AM radio/phono to clean it up and get it working - it had been in storage for many years and it may work now, but I don't want to take a chance on toasting it so I'd like to check it out before powering it up. The knobs need to be removed in order to get the core electrical components out of the box. They're plastic or maybe bakelite and are just pressed on a shaft, but they are stuck very tight and I'd rather not break them. There are three mounted on shafts that run through the front of the box.
: Does anyone have any tips or tricks for removing these knobs?
: Thanks,
: Brad-K