Restoration-Mini

Technical Forums => Maintenance and Modifications => Topic started by: tsumini on December 05, 2019, 09:47:46 PM

Title: Floor start button
Post by: tsumini on December 05, 2019, 09:47:46 PM
Questions about floor start button.
Photo shows the original button on the left with the edges broken off. Does anyone have info on the number of concentric rings on the top. Counting the button in the center I believe from photos I've seen that there are six but not sure. I believe it is phenolic plastice molding.
I found a manufacturer davies molding who makes phenolic knobs http://www.daviesmolding.com/Catalog/Categories/Knobs/Push-Pull.aspx (http://www.daviesmolding.com/Catalog/Categories/Knobs/Push-Pull.aspx) so ordered a couple with 10-32 threaded insert. I found it was dished and not flat topped but turned it down flat. (RH side of photo).
I don't have a working lathe except for a ShopSmith so wasn't able to turn the concentric circles. Research showed that phenolic is not easy to machine and is hard on cutting tools.
Anyone with info on the button?
Title: Re: Floor start button
Post by: MiniDave on December 05, 2019, 09:57:55 PM
http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Electrics/Starters/5L245.aspx?0911&ReturnUrl=/search/classic/floor%20starter.aspx|Back%20to%20search (http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/Electrics/Starters/5L245.aspx?0911&ReturnUrl=/search/classic/floor%20starter.aspx%7CBack%20to%20search)

Looks like 6 including the center button, and in the pic it's not flat, but domed.
Title: Re: Floor start button
Post by: tmsmini on December 06, 2019, 07:49:13 AM
The item in the Minispares link is the rubber dust cover for the button, I am not sure it has the same pattern as the button.
I thought I had a picture, but I can't find it. I will take a picture later, but I am not sure mini is original.
Title: Re: Floor start button
Post by: tmsmini on December 06, 2019, 07:53:28 AM
Not the greatest pictures
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-BMC-mk1-mini-floor-starter-switch-knob-part-No-5L24-lucas-764505-NOS-/274074427546?item=274074427546 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-BMC-mk1-mini-floor-starter-switch-knob-part-No-5L24-lucas-764505-NOS-/274074427546?item=274074427546)

Click on view original listing to see the pictures.

And this one is interesting, using a plain "button" and covering it with the rubber dust cover.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZ-XPRESS-floor-STARTER-SWITCH-17h5260-srb312-mini-mk1-mark-1-mark1-5L24-5L245-/143140073889 (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/OZ-XPRESS-floor-STARTER-SWITCH-17h5260-srb312-mini-mk1-mark-1-mark1-5L24-5L245-/143140073889)
Title: Re: Floor start button
Post by: tmsmini on December 06, 2019, 07:19:36 PM
Here is mine from the top. I am pretty sure this is after market and the ridges are smaller than the original bakelite button.
Title: Re: Floor start button
Post by: tsumini on December 06, 2019, 11:36:47 PM
tmsmini, yours looks like my broken one. There's a small tit in the center whereas the NOS has five rings with a dimple in the center and the sides are skirted.
Minidave, tmsmini is right the one you referenced is a rubber pullover for the cup. I have one shown in  the photo and can use it with the one I started to machine. I've already sppent too much time fiddling with it. I originally thought the thread was 10-32 but that didn't fit then misread something and thought it was 12-32 so ordered a tap (Not available locally, odd size). Then finally measured the thread and found it was 12-28 so ordered a tap but got a bottoming tap and had difficulty starting it and got it crooked so.... blah blah blah.
So if I find nothing to do someday in my shop then I will find a suitable knob from Davies to machine similar to the NOS. I sisn't see it sell but have allready spent more than 20 pounds.
Not sure the Aussie one would fit into the cup.
Thanks for the responses. They were very helpful.
Title: Re: Floor start button
Post by: kcmini on December 07, 2019, 07:17:40 AM
http://mk1-performance-conversions.co.uk/miscellaneous.html

look at the middle of the page
Title: Re: Floor start button
Post by: tsumini on December 07, 2019, 05:49:50 PM
kcmini; thanks for that. That's what I need.
Title: Re: Floor start button
Post by: jeff10049 on December 08, 2019, 09:25:04 PM
Me too  77.gif
Thanks