After looking for a replacement set of pots for my Realistic STA-180 I decided to repair them.
The problem is they would not move without considerable effort, the kind of effort that would strip the knob. I searched and searched but could not find an answer for this except to replace the pot.
After wrecking one of the pots from my parts unit (it has the same problem) I discovered that the source of the friction is between the aluminum shaft and the threaded brass collar. It had nothing to do with the wipers or anything inside the part. I attempted to use all sorts of lubricants to get it to move. I used a heat gun to warm the part up, this made it better but it went back to the failed condition as soon as it cooled down. Nothing was going to work, or so I thought.
The fix is rather simple. All you need is a 1/16 drill bit, a drill press, vice and a bit of light oil.
First.. Place the pot in the vice with the shaft extending from the end of the jaws.
Then drill a hole at the base of the shaft using a 1/16 drill. Just drill through the brass lightly until you hit the aluminum.
Remove the shavings from the drilling and apply a bit of oil.
Work the knob back and forth, applying a bit more oil. If it's still a bit tight use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the part up. After a bit the unit should be good as new.
As long as the part is out give it a good cleaning and deoxin.... Enjoy!
The problem is they would not move without considerable effort, the kind of effort that would strip the knob. I searched and searched but could not find an answer for this except to replace the pot.
After wrecking one of the pots from my parts unit (it has the same problem) I discovered that the source of the friction is between the aluminum shaft and the threaded brass collar. It had nothing to do with the wipers or anything inside the part. I attempted to use all sorts of lubricants to get it to move. I used a heat gun to warm the part up, this made it better but it went back to the failed condition as soon as it cooled down. Nothing was going to work, or so I thought.
The fix is rather simple. All you need is a 1/16 drill bit, a drill press, vice and a bit of light oil.
First.. Place the pot in the vice with the shaft extending from the end of the jaws.
Then drill a hole at the base of the shaft using a 1/16 drill. Just drill through the brass lightly until you hit the aluminum.
Remove the shavings from the drilling and apply a bit of oil.
Work the knob back and forth, applying a bit more oil. If it's still a bit tight use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the part up. After a bit the unit should be good as new.
As long as the part is out give it a good cleaning and deoxin.... Enjoy!
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