Joined: Jun Sun 12, 2011 1:32 am Posts: 798 Location: Middle Tennessee
I have been wondering how the old Zenith with the "z" logo were made. I had some somewhere that looked like they made the main part then base a little larger. But I have been wondering on the "Z" . The thing I am wondering about it did they round it over then stamp the "Z" on with a press? MAybe they steamed the wood before pressing it in. Or did they figure out some may to mass produce carved knobs.
The reason is I have been wondering is I have thought about making some kind of pattern to make some knobs. I have a small metal lathe I can make a cap then just carve out the letter. So has anyone seen or read how they made them? If a person figured out a way to reproduce them in wood is there a market for them?
Joined: Jan Thu 01, 1970 1:00 am Posts: 1392 Location: Saskatoon
There was a disussion about this a while back. One suggestion was that the knobs may have been made for Zenith by the same company that made children's wooden building blocks, as that company was also located in Chicago. However, no consensus as to the actual method how they were made.
Joined: Jun Sun 12, 2011 1:32 am Posts: 798 Location: Middle Tennessee
Would there be a need for them? I was wondering how much of a demand for them there would be. I am thinking of figuring out something to do on the side and this might be a good project to do. If there was a demand I might try a spin at it. I am familiar with moldmaking as I worked as a tool setup guy once and had to work with the moldmakers. I had thought about restoring old radios for people but I have so many of my own . That and all the stuff running that type of business.
A large hydraulic press made those knobs just as they did for kid's letter blocks. The process has been around since the early 1800's. Most of the fancy furniture going back to the 1830 and up weren't carved as most people believe, but were simply stamped in a press. Hit any piece of wood with a hammer and it will dent; hit a penny on a block of wood and you will get an impression.
