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  1. #1
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    Aug 2009
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    No more lost sonar gimbal knobs

    I lost 1 gimbal knob on my Helix 10. Ordered 2 new sets (always some backups) and secured them. Drilled a hole in the knob, attached a swivel with a pop rivet, connected them together with some paracord with heat shrink tube on the ends, paracord threaded through a short black plastic tube which is mounted with hot melt glue to the finder.

    Swivel lets the knob turn without twisting the cord. No more lost knobs. Any "removable" part like this should come with a keeper from the manufacturer.

    20190326_062119_resized.jpg 20190326_062047_resized.jpg 20190326_062849_resized.jpg

  2. Member
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    May 2016
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    Bergheim, TX
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    #2
    Are those rivets? Great idea!

  3. Moderator 21XDC's Avatar
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    Sep 2004
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    Westland Michigan
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    #3

    Marks Props 317-398-9294, 1850 East 225 South, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 propellerman59@gmail.com http://www.marksprops.com/index.html

  4. Moderator
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    Jul 2004
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    Westford
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    #4
    Awesome idea

  5. Member
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    Aug 2009
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    Scottsdale, AZ
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    #5
    Quote Originally Posted by txsunfish View Post
    Are those rivets? Great idea!
    Yes, aluminum pop rivets. I used 2 collars facing each other so you have a flange on both sides. Just cut them down short. Take 2 pop rivets, take the flange parts off the shafts, cut short, about 1/8", drill hole big enough for the collar to fit, place one collar on the shaft, put it through the knob, put the other collar on the shaft facing into the hole so they are both facing each other, then use the pop rivet tool to compress and cut off. Nice smooth flange on both sides. No more worries about unscrewing the knob too much or loosing one.

    Did something similar with my Hydrowave. Drilled a shallow hole in the center of the knobs, epoxy in a swivel, attached a short coated wire leader and secured the other end to the case with a small screw. No lost knobs.

  6. Member
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    Apr 2019
    Location
    Hamilton, NJ
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    544
    #6
    Great idea! Will definitely be doing this.
    2006 Stratos 294 Pro XL.2005 Yamaha 200 VMAX 3.1L. 8" Hydro Dynamics Rapid Jack. Ultrex 112 I-Plot link. 2 Helix 10 Chirp Mega SI GPS G2N.

  7. Member 1Cast 1Fish's Avatar
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    Dec 2017
    Location
    VA
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    376
    #7
    Great idea

  8. BOOMER SOONER OkieBud's Avatar
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    Aug 2004
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    Bixby Ok.
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    #8
    Smart Thinking