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New DOT knob preview pics [now anodized!]
OSCAR:
--- Quote from: hyiu on May 16, 2003, 12:12:26 pm ---Hi oscar... I have a question....
about the black knob that you're going to put in production...
Will the color come off as time pass by ??....
Cos if after uses, it'll come off, I think I'll get the silver one...
(well.... my guess is if you're going to sell it... I don't think it'll come off easy at all...)
;)
well... can't wait to see a pic of the black one....
--- End quote ---
A quickie primer on the anodizing process...
The anodizing process actually grows a layer of aluminum oxide (clear) on the surface of the aluminum. When first grown the aluminum oxide is open-celled, so it accepts dye very easily. The part must be dyed almost immediately after the part is anodized because the cells will close up over time. Once the part is dyed, the part is sealed by either a chemical process or a steam bath which closes the cells.
The short answer: No, it does not come off because the dye is trapped in the aluminum oxide. But if you were to skip a knob down the sidewalk, then you could scratch off the oxide and take the dye with it. Note that aluminum oxide is actually stronger than the aluminum itself, so it is a very durable finish.
hyiu:
thank you for your explanation....
I love this form.... learning new things everyday....
hee hee.... ;D ;D ;D ;D
I can't wait to see the black knob.... then it'll be decision time.... hee hee heee......
** very excitied.... very excitied.... DOT spinner... DOT spinner... *** hee hee hee.... ;D ;D
KevSteele:
I just got my DOT knob yesterday (un-anodized aluminum).
Very nice -- in fact, it's very quickly become my favorite spinner knob. The 'embedded' knurling is great. The knob edges are smooth to the touch, but put a little pressure on with your fingers and you hit the texture. Great for letting the knob slide through your fingers and then quickly "sticking it" into position with a slight grab.
The natural aluminum finish is great because you can easily polish it up with some Brasso to a (literally) mirror finish. Anodized knobs can't be polished (or at least, they won't get any shinier) The polished aluminum knob is very chrome, and very retro-cool.
Actually, styling is cool but the unique design is what makes it so game-worthy. I really like the feel of this knob during gameplay.
Highly recommended.
Kevin
OSCAR:
I just received the black anodized DOT knobs. The finish is jet black. The price will remain the same as the natural finish version ($15) and they will be added to the website later tonight.
Here are a couple of photos:
SirPoonga:
wow, tough choice.