Why doesn't Warmoth provide specs on their knobs?

[rstiltskin]

I purchased the standard Fender style 1 volume 2 tone knobs for a partscaster from Warmoth and they don't fit the split shafts on my pots. All Warmoth says about these knobs is that they fit most split shaft pots. My shafts are 6mm and the inside hole of the knobs I got from Warmoth is a little more than 5mm. Warmoth provides the specs on other styles of knobs so why don't they do so for the classic Fender knobs? It would have been very easy for me to see that these knobs wouldn't fit if I had the specs.

Other vendors describe their knobs as the inside hole is a quarter inch which is about the same as 6mm. Why is Warmoth only selling the classic Fender knobs with the smaller hole? 

 

[Mandalie]

Now you have me worried. I just bought a set for mine. Hopefully they fit 920D pots used in their pre wired harness

 

[Verne Bunsen]

1/4” is the spec for solid shaft pots while 6mm is spec for split shafts. However there are two spline patterns for the split shafts: coarse and fine. So yes, lots of potential “gotchas”. Not posting specs on parts like knobs isn’t just a Warmoth thing, it’s rampant among suppliers. I vote with my wallet and only shop for such items where specs are listed so I can be confident that I’m getting the right part...

 

[Cagey]

Not posting specs on parts like knobs isn’t just a Warmoth thing, it’s rampant among suppliers.

It's true. I'm guessing only about 25% or so of suppliers list knob specs. There's some discussion on the topic here.

 

[TBurst Std]

1/4” is the spec for solid shaft pots while 6mm is spec for split shafts. However there are two spline patterns for the split shafts: coarse and fine. So yes, lots of potential “gotchas”. Not posting specs on parts like knobs isn’t just a Warmoth thing, it’s rampant among suppliers. I vote with my wallet and only shop for such items where specs are listed so I can be confident that I’m getting the right part...

Sorry, I need to correct this. 
Both solid and split shafts are available in 1/4 and 6mm.  (Imperial and Metric). In addition, for split shaft pots, the are also coarse and fine. 
The easiest way to know which you need is to know what pots you have.  A search using my name should bring up more detail on this. 

 

[Verne Bunsen]

1/4” is the spec for solid shaft pots while 6mm is spec for split shafts. However there are two spline patterns for the split shafts: coarse and fine. So yes, lots of potential “gotchas”. Not posting specs on parts like knobs isn’t just a Warmoth thing, it’s rampant among suppliers. I vote with my wallet and only shop for such items where specs are listed so I can be confident that I’m getting the right part...

Sorry, I need to correct this. 
Both solid and split shafts are available in 1/4 and 6mm.  (Imperial and Metric). In addition, for split shaft pots, the are also coarse and fine. 
The easiest way to know which you need is to know what pots you have.  A search using my name should bring up more detail on this.

I confess, I have never come across a 1/4" split shaft pot in a guitar, just 6mm split shafts with the difference being the spline patterns as I mentioned. Where have you encountered such a beast?

 

[Cagey]

My guess would be on older American-made guitars built before the metric system was invented.

 

[TBurst Std]

My Les Paul, my Start using CTS pots

Basically anything using CTS or
Some Bourne’s pots

 

[Verne Bunsen]

My Les Paul, my Start using CTS pots

Basically anything using CTS or
Some Bourne’s pots

I’m still a bit confused, as I have on hand hundreds of CTS and Bournes pots and they are all 6mm split shafts. I order from various vendors, general electronics suppliers and music equipment suppliers alike, and I’ve never seen 1/4” split shaft as a “standard” option. Nor 6mm solid shaft. 6mm split/fine, 6mm split/coarse, 1/4” solid. :icon_scratch: 

I’m not trying to be combative here, but the purpose of my post was to un-muddy the waters for the OP and this is going the other way. I’m interested to know if I’m mistaken and happy to be educated but all of my experience supports my original reply.

 

[TBurst Std]

Well you are correct (sorry to could the matter). It is a carry over from the 70s to denote the difference between Imperial and Metric split shafts before splines were referenced. Back then, Imperial = fine, Metric = coarse.

When split shaft knobs do not fit, this is the culprit, the spline. (Have had to retab a number of pots for friends who tried to cram on knobs and blew out the back of their pot.

There are 6mm solid shaft pots out there. Was just trying to offer a heads up.

https://reverb.com/item/2372607-2-x-bourns-250ka-6mm-solid-shaft-3-8-us-spec-pots-tele-p-j-bass-potentiometers

 

[Rick]

I never let it bother me .... Anymore.

  When dealing with metal I always ask before buying.  With plastic I either ream them out or add a shim.  It's like dealing with pick guards, there are so many minute variations and I figure out a way to make it work.  For instance, I know the measurements warmoth uses for mini humbuckers and I know I ll have to modify it for the dimarzio. :headbang5

All I can say is sorry and if this is the only problem you've had with your build I envy you.  Just wait till you start soldering..... Oh vey!

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Well you are correct (sorry to could the matter). It is a carry over from the 70s to denote the difference between Imperial and Metric split shafts before splines were referenced. Back then, Imperial = fine, Metric = coarse.

When split shaft knobs do not fit, this is the culprit, the spline. (Have had to retab a number of pots for friends who tried to cram on knobs and blew out the back of their pot.

There are 6mm solid shaft pots out there. Was just trying to offer a heads up.

https://reverb.com/item/2372607-2-x-bourns-250ka-6mm-solid-shaft-3-8-us-spec-pots-tele-p-j-bass-potentiometers

I've encountered the blown out pots from knob installation as well: "But it was a press fit knob!" Yes, but was it the right press fit knob?

Thanks for that link! Of course there would be a mini-pot with a full-size 3/8" mounting bushing and a 6mm solid shaft, why wouldn't there be?  :tard:  At some point someone will come to me with this weird compatibility issue and I'll have a clue, so thanks in advance!

Between different case diameters, mounting bushing diameters and lengths, shaft diameters and styles, it's a wonder that anyone ever gets the right parts. Which brings us full circle to the start of this thread: why on earth would a supplier not post detailed specs?!

 

[TBurst Std]

Agreed.  Especially split shaft.  You’ve got to know coarse or fine. 

 

[BigSteve22]

I vote with my wallet and only shop for such items where specs are listed so I can be confident that I’m getting the right part...

.
Same here, I never buy knobs from anyone not listing the full specs. Way too much confusion, and too many chances to wind up with something unusable.