Princess Range Knobs Suck!

[bobk]

Over the last ten years with the 'new' range top and oven we have had many knobs break because they are made of the wrong plastic. As a plastics chemist I know the signs and told Princess what to use, but that falls on deaf ears. I'm tired of buying this expensive junk. Has anyone found a source for aftermarket knobs that fit and last?

Bobk

 

[jim rosenthal]

No doubt they are suffering from "cheapitis".

 

[SEVEN]

Even the ones that have metal covers are just covering up cheap plastic. Sorry no help here. Good luck.

 

[bobk]

No doubt they are suffering from "cheapitis".

Jim, this is probably a matter of 'stupiditius'. They need to use a crystalline resin, preferably glass reinforced, rather than an amorphous resin to resist the vapors of cooking grease. But they would not sell as many knobs at a ridiculous price.

I found some knob kits that are supposed to fit all sizes. If no one comes up with a better idea, I'll buy one off EBay and give it a try.

Bobk

 

[bostonhatteras]

You told them what to use! that's funny. Perhaps you can do what I did. Take the non-damaged knobs and fill the underside with a solid but not brittle hardening product. I taped off the outside of the knob and filled the underside 100% with plastidip. I let it harden for a couple days and I haven't had a broken knob since.

 

[SEVEN]

Very clever. I'II try that myself in two weeks. This is ingenuity at its best.

 

[bobk]

You told them what to use! that's funny. Perhaps you can do what I did. Take the non-damaged knobs and fill the underside with a solid but not brittle hardening product. I taped off the outside of the knob and filled the underside 100% with plastidip. I let it harden for a couple days and I haven't had a broken knob since.

Good idea. If I had thought of it, I'd have used epoxy. Anyway, I just received and installed knobs from Coulton Appliance parts in CA. They look modern and solid. We'll see.

Bobk

 

[lake of the woods]

With 3D printers being very common now have you considered making your own range knobs using an appropriate type of plastic stock?

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

 

[bobk]

With 3D printers being very common now have you considered making your own range knobs using an appropriate type of plastic stock?

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

No, it never entered my mind and I have zero knowledge of the process. This was easier.

Bobk

 

[tellico]

With 3D printers being very common now have you considered making your own range knobs using an appropriate type of plastic stock?

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

Good point. Curious if you have experience with them? Mine is pretty much seeing the guys on Big Bang use them.

But per the press, 3D printers will become the total go to in the future. Amazing what they are doing ... toys to car parts and beyond. The one piece I saw was sobering (CBS Sunday Morning?) One interviewee said it's only chemistry so I turned back to Big Bang!

 

[lake of the woods]

I recently had my son (aerospace engineering student) design and make up some 3D printed plastic shims (weird shapes and angles) for securing my solar panels to my aft deck hard top. They were a perfect fit and it did not take long or cost much to make.

This will be how we will make many plastic parts in the future / present for much less cost than what some of these poor quality plastic parts set us back now.

Mark
lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

 

[tellico]

Found the newspiece I saw. They say plastic, metal, ceramic ...

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/carbon-m1-3d-printer-chemist-joe-desimone-manufacturing-revolution/

and human tissue

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/3-d-printing-the-next-dimension/

 

[dar636]

At least your range has knobs. I have to get the instruction manual out just to figure out how to turn our flat touch surface on. Now that sucks.

 

[bobk]

At least your range has knobs. I have to get the instruction manual out just to figure out how to turn our flat touch surface on. Now that sucks.

See. that's what happens when you go high tech. Me, I still use an eight year old flip phone that has no camera or anything. It makes calls. Still on original battery with the charge lasting days. So what if I can hardly hear the ringer any more. I'll call you if I want to talk.

Bobk