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Old 09-20-2020, 01:42 PM   #1
Jacques1960
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Default 1938 Cigar Lighter

Purchased a replacement lighter and well from Carpenter and fit is perfect; however, am at a bit of a crossroads regarding attachment of what appears to be an aftermarket replacement knob to the element itself. Perhaps threaded stud mechanically attached to element hole and bonded via epoxy to hollow in base of knob ? Recommendations regarding best epoxy for these knobs ? Thank you

Last edited by Jacques1960; 12-04-2020 at 01:54 PM.
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Old 09-20-2020, 02:17 PM   #2
ford38v8
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

This has long been an issue with the '38 cigar lighter. Carpenter being the only replacement knob I know of, your idea is what I did on mine. Do not use epoxy on the lighter itself, for reasons of heat expansion/contraction metal to plastic. Drill out the knob with an enlarged cavity to accept a bolt head with a flat ground on the side, this to prevent pull out and spinning. Choose a lighter shade epoxy color, and don't drill too close to the visible surface.



Use a medium to slow cure speed epoxy to prevent shrinkage. It's important to align the bolt correctly in the hole, so I used a longer bolt to be cut off later, inserted into a clearance hole in wood topped with saran wrap, to push into for the cure.
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Old 09-20-2020, 03:50 PM   #3
Jacques1960
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

Perfect, thank you !
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Old 09-20-2020, 10:50 PM   #4
Don Rogers
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

Actually, I believe that the knob is correct and the replacement element is wrong for 38. Here is a photo of a 35 knob and the heating element. The element had an internal thread on the inside of the bakelite cylinder that the knob screwed into. Your knob has the same threads as my 35 knob.
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Old 09-21-2020, 12:46 AM   #5
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

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Originally Posted by Don Rogers View Post
Actually, I believe that the knob is correct and the replacement element is wrong for 38. Here is a photo of a 35 knob and the heating element. The element had an internal thread on the inside of the bakelite cylinder that the knob screwed into. Your knob has the same threads as my 35 knob.

Don, I'm sure you are correct. I replaced my knobs 30 years ago, and not finding a correct element, I put in this element. I seem to remember an initial fussing with it trying to make it automatic. Now ya got me thinking... I wonder if there are any NOS elements out there!
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Old 09-21-2020, 02:46 AM   #6
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

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Here is an element
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-193...EAAOSwT9ZdmJxY
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Old 09-21-2020, 09:52 AM   #7
rotorwrench
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

Ford had cigar lighters way back after the model A era but the one question I would ask is whether they were automatic or not? Some early ones may not have had that feature yet. The ones that are spring loaded definitely are but I can't tell if those are spring loaded or not.

Dennis Carpenter started his business by casting the plastic knobs for antique cars. He casts those types like original but he might consider casting some that will work with a later type element. Some of the old electrical items like that are getting harder to find in usable condition.
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Old 09-21-2020, 04:29 PM   #8
Jacques1960
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

I followed through with ford38V8’s suggested approach and it works perfectly with the Carpenter element and well; looking at the Ford book, however, there would originally have been the black rubber or Bakelight piece which presumably would thread onto the knob. To create a similar effect after setting the stud with epoxy, I sanded down the threaded portion of the plastic knob, painting this flat black. With the element in the well, the black reveal is about 1/8” - probably as close to correct as I can get for now.
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Old 09-22-2020, 01:43 AM   #9
ford38v8
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

Jacques, If you enter it in a Concourse, the Judges, shouldn't be messing with it, so they'll never know unless you tell them.
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Old 09-22-2020, 09:33 AM   #10
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Default Re: 1938 Cigar Lighter

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Originally Posted by ford38v8 View Post
Jacques, If you enter it in a Concourse, the Judges, shouldn't be messing with it, so they'll never know unless you tell them.
He just did.
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