Switch buttons for Quad 22

[Ampdog]

This is not quite DIY, but also not belonging under the Classified Section.

The request is probably a wild chance - I am looking for the rectangular push-button switch 'knobs' for a Quad 22 control unit. Two whites and four red ones are required. I have just refurbished such an instrument for someone, but unfortunately all push-buttons were cracked and came apart during cleaning. Using cyano-acralate instand glue left slight marks that cannot be polished out.

[Apocalypse Boy]

MMMM If we can do both units , one might use some casting resin that is deyed the red or white , but you'd have to do all the buttons on both , there's no way you'd get them the same, and painting's not an option as it would wear out . Aluminium and Brass/Copper?

[Family_Dog]

Johan,

Searching amongst my odds & ends, I have one Quad II Pre-Amp (still to be renovated) and two "Acoustica" Mono Pre-amps, one of which is working, the other not. The latter have the round buttons, not the rectangular ones. Pity - you could have had one of them.


-F_D

[Hi-Phibian]

E Mail Quad, their spares availability used to be legendary though this may have changed under Chinese ownership....

[Ampdog]

I was thinking of that, High-Ph; might just do it. I know the local supplier, John Silver. As you say, one never knows. But this is for a lo-o-ong time ago.

Apocalypse Boy,

In this case rather difficult, as the internal construction (ribbing) is also rather specific (I mean the rear inside); must fit a certain switch "lever" profile. But yes, failing all else, one can always improvise. But I will first try the easy way!

F_D,

Now why is there a Q-22 among your 'odds and ends'? Shame! Let's renovate it - one of the best pre-amps of the time! (.... while you are still waiting for that second QII to turn up.)

[mafioso]

Hello Ampdog

I don't know the dimensions of the buttons you need, but I was thinking about a cheap 'stock line' pushbutton switch obtainable from RS or other electronic parts stores.

These come in different colours ie red, white, black etc and the switch comes apart easily.

The button size is 10.8 x 10.8mm and about the same depth.

I'm not sure if this size is useable, however.

mafioso

PS Pic to follow!

[Ampdog]

Yes, Mafioso,

I have been looking thataway too. But the Quad ones are a bit larger/flatter than what I normally see. Outside dimensions are 20 x 8mm, by 10mm deep. (The inside ribbing structure, while convenient for fitting, is of secondary importance. One can always 'mill' out and fix in another way.)

[mafioso]

Hhhmmm, Ampdog

I haven't got a 22 but I do have a few 33's. 20 x 8mm doesn't correspond with the 33's pushbuttons as these are smaller and the wrong colour.

Perhaps one can mill the brown/maroon? buttons from a close-matched hardwood and there may be sapwood from african blackwood which may the just the right shade of cream/ivory.. My late father grew up in Garies and passed matric at 15 in the metropolis of Bitterfontein. Anyways, after warning me for years about wit Cape skollies and their knives, my late old man would have solved the Quad drukknoppie problem somma gou-gou by going for the selection of Joseph Rodgers knipmesse he kept in his briefcase. For those of you who don't know the famous name "Joseph Rodgers" - this was the brandname of nie sommer hierjy se parraslagters nie. If you owned a Joseph Rodgers knipmes, you became McGyver, Johannes van der Walt, Koos van der Merwe and Willie Liebenberg all rolled into one.


So, what I'm saying, I suppose one could carve, saw, mill or sand reasonable facsimiles of those pushbuttons from hardwood. Sanding little blocks of hardwood with waterpaper up to 2000grit, you can just oil them with Woodoc and get a very high lustre.

mafioso
 

[chipwelder]

Ai, ek het so opgekyk na 'n Joseph Rogers, dat ek op varsity een gekoop het by 'n winkel... maar later uitgevind het hulle kom nou uit China en moet maar elke dag of so skerpgehou word...

[mafioso]

That's rather sad, chipwelder. Mine is long gone. Probably pawned after a night of snooker losses....

You may still get lucky and find the real deal at a flea market.

I still have a couple of knives - mostly Tramontina vismesse from Brazil. Then there's the inevitable Leatherman which I don't like very much and my favourite Gerber - the knife to end all knives.

mafioso

[chipwelder]

Ja it is, the "new" ones don't go grey at all... they are low carbon, high chromium jobbies... i.e. shite

I love the idea of a Gerber or other multitool, the multitools I've used and looked at, have diappointing knife blades. the old leathermans i.t.o. steel type, but the blade profile are often too stout, so as to handle toolbox chores, but don't cut really well... so I'll prolly one day get a nice multi-tool, but will never let go of a real knife...

Tramonita is one of those real working knive brands - like the victorinox vibrox kitchen knives, great ergonomics, decent steel and not too expensive... I love the look of zwillinge or Wusthof... but good grief at R700-R1k a pop, they just not value for the kitchen...

[Family_Dog]

F_D,

Now why is there a Q-22 among your 'odds and ends'? Shame! Let's renovate it - one of the best pre-amps of the time! (.... while you are still waiting for that second QII to turn up.)

Yep, you're right! It's time I started 'hounding' (pun intended) Contra about my other Quad II that's still in his possession.

Johan, anytime you want to refurb my Quad 22, I'll get it to you!


-F_D

[Ampdog]

Hhhmmm, Ampdog

I haven't got a 22 but I do have a few 33's. 20 x 8mm doesn't correspond with the 33's pushbuttons as these are smaller and the wrong colour.

I waded through old topics, and gave this a second look. Mafioso, did I misunderstand? The picture showed by you in the above post, IS of a Quad 22. When you mentioned having a few 33's, did you copy the picture from elsewhere or is this in fact what you have? And even so, I do not presume you have buttons to spare.

[Contrabass]

Yep, you're right! It's time I started 'hounding' (pun intended) Contra about my other Quad II that's still in his possession.-F_D

Hi F_D, You are barking up the wrong tree (Ouch  )
I must admit you have patience waiting for my lonely Quad MKII, matched by my waiting for yours 
But seeing 'tis the season where giving is better than receiving maybe you should give yours a good home ?

I must, at this point, add that AmpDog has given my lonely Quad a new lease of life with an outstanding refurbishment done with the utmost attention to detail. I will post a photo or two once if you would like to see the EXTREME MAKEOVER magic done by Johan.

I was chatting to Gert and he says we were silly to not grab that pair of Quads that
appeared in Junkmail... Sigh - you snooze, you lose.

Waiting for my PM from you.......

[Family_Dog]

You see now? My one and only (lonely) Quad II is in excellent health and is not in need of any makeover. Its associated Control Unit (not the 22, but the Mono version) is likewise in perfect health and both units work just fine, The original GEC KT66 valves are in excellent health, as tested by my AVO Mk4 Valve Characteristic Tester.

CB, many thanks for refurbishing my future unit, which should now at last be a perfect match for my existing Quad, I am thrilled about this. I will contact you shortly by PM to arrange for my collection of it. Will make a perfect gift for myself for Christmas!   


-F_D