Washing machine knob

thingiverse

The fit on the knob's shaft is slightly loose, but this can be fixed by applying some tape or silicone to make the fit snug. To achieve this, I recommend shim the shaft using a bit of tape or a dot of silicone. This approach beats having a tight fit that could damage the shaft over time. Designed for use with 1/4" (.250") D-shaped shafts, this knob will fit most washing machines that have recessed shafts of these dimensions. I based my design on my Magic Chef brand washing machine, but the same knob can work just as well with other machines from similar manufacturers. In my case, the washing machine uses two identical knobs for load size and water temperature settings. One was missing when I started working on this project, so I created a perfect replica using SolidWorks to model one. For those who need replacement knobs, be prepared to spend between $15 and $30. This is clearly overpriced compared to printing the knob at home. To make this option more affordable, all I needed was 10 grams of premium PLA material, which translates to about a cost of 50 cents, or standard filament at 35 cents for the same quantity. To create this replacement part accurately, I took precise measurements from the old knob using dial calipers and used SolidWorks to design it with perfect dimensions. Once confirmed that these dimensions align well with the printed knob, which came in at just .005" off, I expect the fit to be excellent without any further issues arising. The printing settings for this project are crucial; high-quality printing at 3 shells, 15% infill and 230* on PLA will result in an awesome-looking product. Use a Replicator 2 with raft and supports enabled.