Felt washers on around control shafts.

[Notimetolooz]

I figured this is a good a place for this question as any I can think of.
I've noticed felt washers or similar on the control shafts on old wood cabinet radios. What are they for?

[old_coot88]

Possibly to keep the knob from marring the finish and to prevent a visual gap.

[quaddriver]

And to give something for your fishing flies to stick to when you start working on radios....

[Ed in Tx]

Originally Posted by old_coot88

Possibly to keep the knob from marring the finish and to prevent a visual gap.

yep.
Used a lot for hiding the bright metal washer & nut on the threaded control shaft you may otherwise see in the gap between the knob and panel opening.

[Notimetolooz]

OK. That seems like that answers that one. I didn't think the felt would work to well to keep the dust out, since the cabinet is ventilated anyway.

[Reece]

It makes a finishing touch visually and keeps the knob from rubbing on the cabinet. I have bought new ones a few years ago from RadioDaze:

http://www.radiodaze.com/felt-knob-washers/