Sifam Collet Knob Tool

[ruffrecords]

The Sifam collet knob tightening tool seems to be hard to get hold of. RS says it is on back order and Canford says it is no longer available and to contact their technical staff for alternatives?

Is there a readily available substitute??

Cheers

Ian

 

[pvision]

The Sifam collet knob division has been sold to another company so I'd expect a long wait..

Isn't it just an 8mm socket, or maybe a 7?

8 mm socket, 1/4" drive
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-545489-Drive-Metric-Socket/dp/B000LFS0W4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1395788636&sr=8-9&keywords=8+mm+socket

1/4" drive T-bar
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-277849-Drive-Sliding-T-Bar/dp/B000LFTSAM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1395788742&sr=8-12&keywords=1%2F4%22+extension+silverline

Nick Froome

 

[Harpo]

from Buerklin ?

 

[MatthisD]

I couldn't get one either. I cut down a 1/4" socket with a hacksaw and it works a treat.

 

[SkunkFunk]

I made something similar. I've seen tools made from common screwdrivers too.

 

[ruffrecords]

The Sifam collet knob division has been sold to another company so I'd expect a long wait..

Nick Froome

Would that be Sibalco?

http://www.sibalco.de/produkte/drehknoepfe.html

Cheers

Ian

 

[Harpo]

Yepp, Sibalco.
You might clarify if the fixing tool is needed for the slotted nuts or for the hex nuts ?
For a similar looking product range of collet knobs at probably lower cost, you already checked Mentor?

 

[ruffrecords]

Yepp, Sibalco.
You might clarify if the fixing tool is needed for the slotted nuts or for the hex nuts ?
For a similar looking product range of collet knobs at probably lower cost, you already checked Mentor?

Iam well aware of Mentor but I have been unable to find anyone in the UK that does their collet knobs. Plenty of people do their other types of knobs but not the collet types. Unless of course I nhave missed something.

Edit: Rubbish, you can get them from Farnell - doh! BUT the 15mm diameter 6mm shaft basic knob is more expensive than the Sifam equivalent.
Edit: I am talking about the tool for the slotted nuts. I am assuming the hex nuts respond to the application of a suitable socket?

Cheers

Ian

 

[pvision]

I had forgotten about slotted nut collet knobs! SSL sell the tool but it's not cheap.  I think a screwdriver & a dremel might be the best bet

Re Sifam collet knobs:

28th October 2013 - Devlin Electronics is pleased to announce its acquisition of the Sifam control knobs business from Elektron Technology PLC. The Sifam Meters business remains part of Elektron and can be found at www.sifam.com.

The problem I am finding with Sifam Meters is that no-one in the UK stocks the whole range. I have emailed Sifam asking to buy direct - let's see what happens

I have also been trying to buy Elma collet knobs. Guess what? No-one in the UK stocks the whole range. Farnell has a few items from the range but minimum quantities on knob caps, etc, makes it an expensive way to buy. I have emailed Elma asking to buy direct - let's see what happens

Nick Froome

 

[pvision]

Happy to organise a Group Buy on Sifam meters and Elma collet knobs

Nick Froome

 

[Harpo]

maybe mailto:[email protected] and ask for a UK distributor...
Another comparable collet knob manufacturer with UK distribution might be OKW

Depending on knob diameter, collet knobs come with slotted round nuts or hex nuts. At least for concentric pots the dremel/screwdriver workaround might not work for the slotted nuts.

 

[ruffrecords]

Happy to organise a Group Buy on Sifam meters and Elma collet knobs

Nick Froome

How does the cost of the elmas compare with sifam collet knobs?

Cheers

Ian

 

[pvision]

How does the cost of the elmas compare with sifam collet knobs?

Not sure on Sifam prices but a 14.5mm Elma collet knob in gloss black with a line [021-3420] is £3.45, cap [040-3020] is 42p and a nut cover (base to cover the nut on the front panel) [044-3120] is 65p.  Prices from CPC, ex VAT

The range includes gloss & matt knobs, grey & black, coloured caps, knobs with a wing (14.5 mm upwards), and nut covers. Shaft diameters are 3.18, 6 mm & 1/4"

The knobs are very glossy and feel expensive - as they they darned well should!

Nick Froome

 

[MatthisD]

In relation to the 21mm and 15mm diameter sifam knobs for 1/4" shafts; the 21mm size has a hex fixing nut whereas the 15mm knob has the slotted fixing.


It says available for despatch 4th of April in this product page but is it for the 11mm or the 15mm diameter?

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/collet-knob-fixing-keys/0225760/

 

[ruffrecords]

How does the cost of the elmas compare with sifam collet knobs?

Not sure on Sifam prices but a 14.5mm Elma collet knob in gloss black with a line [021-3420] is £3.45, cap [040-3020] is 42p and a nut cover (base to cover the nut on the front panel) [044-3120] is 65p.  Prices from CPC, ex VAT

The range includes gloss & matt knobs, grey & black, coloured caps, knobs with a wing (14.5 mm upwards), and nut covers. Shaft diameters are 3.18, 6 mm & 1/4"

The knobs are very glossy and feel expensive - as they they darned well should!

Nick Froome

At Canford, the basic 15mm Sifan collet knob in black with line is £1.95,  21mm is £2.50, caps are 27p and nut covers are strangely expensive at 85p. There are even cheaper at RS but you have to buy in lots of 10.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Slenderchap]

These are the Sifam tools which I think Ian is referring to:

We used to sell them, but Sifam stopped making them a couple of years ago.

When people ask, I now tell them to just modify a screwdriver.

Colin
www.audiomaintenance.com

 

[Sylvain D.]

A while back, someone mentioned making one by filling away the middle of a "disposable" flat head screwdriver.
Didn't try it but it would probably work...
For the smaller ones, I use a socket. Does the trick

 

[druu]

I could be wrong but couldn't one use these?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4x-Standard-Screwdriver-Bits-Spanner-SP4-SP6-SP8-SP10-/321058583486?pt=AU_Power_Tools&hash=item4ac09533be&_uhb=1

 

[ruffrecords]

I could be wrong but couldn't one use these?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4x-Standard-Screwdriver-Bits-Spanner-SP4-SP6-SP8-SP10-/321058583486?pt=AU_Power_Tools&hash=item4ac09533be&_uhb=1

They look very much like they could do the job. Thanks for the tip.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Majestic12]

I could be wrong but couldn't one use these?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4x-Standard-Screwdriver-Bits-Spanner-SP4-SP6-SP8-SP10-/321058583486?pt=AU_Power_Tools&hash=item4ac09533be&_uhb=1

They look very much like they could do the job. Thanks for the tip.

Cheers

Ian

Unfortunately they are too small. I have one of those security screw bit sets that have those included, but they are too narrow to fit the sifam nuts.