I am looking at having the front panel mechanisms replated on my 1933 Gottlueb Big Broadcast. The ball lift rod has become a puzzle. The exterior part of the rod is threaded onto an orange plastic appearing original knob that I do not want to break. The inside part of the rod appears to be solidly attached to what actuates the ball lift. Both ends are too large to fit through the hole in the cabinet or housing. I am wanting to send the housing for plating but can't remove it from the cabinet or the rod from the housing because the knob will not unscrew from the rod. I do not want to force it at the risk of breaking an 85 year old piece of plastic. Any suggestions?

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I am considering heating the rod to see if that might loosen it.

Ok. Thank you very much. I will give it a try.

Your suggestion worked great once I realized I had to have the twist of the fabric around the knob in the same direction as I was trying to loosen it so that it would tighten the grip on the knob as I was turning it. (Duh!)
I was able to get it taken apart and off the cabinet. Soon it will be on its way to the plating company.
Thanks very much for your help.
Bruce