Hi everyone...
Has anyone else been experiencing what I call "knob rot" on their Sabers? About six months ago, the knobs on one of my Saber radios started turning white and became extremely brittle. I turned the volume knob one day and it fell apart in my fingers. Now I've got a second Saber where the same thing is happening. The knobs aren't brittle yet but they are turning white. These are my favorite radios but I guess they are not aging gracefully. Anyone know what's causing this? Is it just the age of the plastic? Environment? Any way to stop or slow the process? Since replacement knobs are NLA from Motorola, I'd be interested to hear how others are dealing with this.
Thanks,
--z
Saber Knob Rot
Moderator: Queue Moderator
Re: Saber Knob Rot
Well I found a use for some of the super cheap 403-433 sabers, buy them for knobs 
No, really, I bought two at a hamfest "as is" for $10 and ended up using them for the knobs and one actually had a good battery that lasts a few days of light listening and some talking.
My first saber had a volume knob that cracked right in half, so before I had anything else, I carefully put the knob back on the insert and very carefully wrapped black electrical tape around it while turning the knob in the other direction. It worked well enough (for hobby use) for 1/2 a year.
No, really, I bought two at a hamfest "as is" for $10 and ended up using them for the knobs and one actually had a good battery that lasts a few days of light listening and some talking.My first saber had a volume knob that cracked right in half, so before I had anything else, I carefully put the knob back on the insert and very carefully wrapped black electrical tape around it while turning the knob in the other direction. It worked well enough (for hobby use) for 1/2 a year.
Re: Saber Knob Rot
I also bought a saber that someone had replaced the CH select knob with a jedi knob. The markings did not line up, but as long as I can count from 1 to 6 or from 12 to 7 I should be ok.
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Tom in D.C.
- Posts: 3859
- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 4:00 pm
- What radios do you own?: Progreso soup can with CRT
Re: Saber Knob Rot
Last time I tried, which was maybe a year ago, the low profile
Saber knobs were still available from Motorola.
Saber knobs were still available from Motorola.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
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FireCpt809
- Posts: 1848
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2002 4:00 pm
- What radios do you own?: Alot..
Re: Saber Knob Rot
I have that problem too. I bought about 20 sets of knobs at a fest. The guy had a ton of parts. The batwing switch gets brittle too. I have replaced most of mine with the emergency button style. Those are a flexable rubber and dont break off.
Re: Saber Knob Rot
Do you happen to have a part number? I don't think I had the low profile knob part number, only the standard volume knob. I tried to find it with the useless search engine on Motorola Online, but obviously I came up short.Tom in D.C. wrote:Last time I tried, which was maybe a year ago, the low profile
Saber knobs were still available from Motorola.
--z
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MotoFAN
- Posts: 1054
- Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:46 am
- What radios do you own?: Approx. 50: Moto & Kenwood
Re: Saber Knob Rot
Tom,Tom in D.C. wrote:Last time I tried, which was maybe a year ago, the low profile
Saber knobs were still available from Motorola.
What are P/Ns? I need REX4105 "REPLACEMENT KIT, VOLUME KNOB", but it's discontinued. Maybe some LP equivalent is still available?
I am biggest fan of XTS2500 and ASTRO Digital Saber.
Re: Saber Knob Rot
There was a SRN about this saber knob rot ages ago.. a few bad batches...
Circlebat
Circlebat