And potentiometer shaft - straighten a bent potentiometer?

[Vintagecasey]

Anybody have a good way to straighten a bent potentiometer? I purchased a pioneer SX737 with a bent bass potentiometer I'm afraid if I just crank it back the other way I might break it. Anybody have any luck with straightening them?

 

[Brian1970]

You might want to verify the pot still works correctly before you even bother trying. If you can't live with it the way it is, no harm in trying but you might want to have a plan B. Usually you can find someone parting one out on ebay.

 

[tourmax]

Not a lot to say. Bend it back slow and easy. Move too fast and the metal will heat, fatigue and snap.

When I have to, I usually use long billed pliers and put one side on the base and the other at the top of the post. Then, slowly and carefully squeeze or bend as required, doing a little bit at a time and resting in between.

STOP as soon as you get it anywhere close to acceptable. This is definitely one of those areas where "close enough" will do. Push it too much and it will likely snap.

And have a backup plan prepared in case i snaps off because that is a very likely possibility.

I've tried to take pots apart before to change posts, but that's never worked out well for me. The post is usually staked in place and you end up destroying the plate or the post to get them apart.

Also keep in mind that after all this pulling and bending, the pot may not wok properly, even if it is working now while it's bent.

I'd try and find one from a part out from somewhere like ebay and go that way if it snaps off.

Good luck.

 

[Vintagecasey]

Not a lot to say. Bend it back slow and easy. Move too fast and the metal will heat, fatigue and snap.

When I have to, I usually use long billed pliers and put one side on the base and the other at the top of the post. Then, slowly and carefully squeeze or bend as required, doing a little bit at a time and resting in between.

STOP as soon as you get it anywhere close to acceptable. This is definitely one of those areas where "close enough" will do. Push it too much and it will likely snap.

And have a backup plan prepared in case i snaps off because that is a very likely possibility.

I've tried to take pots apart before to change posts, but that's never worked out well for me. The post is usually staked in place and you end up destroying the plate or the post to get them apart.

Also keep in mind that after all this pulling and bending, the pot may not wok properly, even if it is working now while it's bent.

I'd try and find one from a part out from somewhere like ebay and go that way if it snaps off.

Good luck.

Yeah, That's what I figured, I'll keep an eye on eBay!

 

[avionic]

Murphies Law -- It will break.

 

[Warren-Oates]

best way I have found; a deep socket just large enough to fit around the shaft. I put a small piece of something between the two fingers of the pot so they stay in the correct form. With the face plate off so I can get the socket all the way down to the base, carefully pull it straight(er).

I have broke a couple this way, but both times it was just one arm of the shaft, not in the middle of the shaft. On those I jb welded the arm back on and was good to go.

As mentioned, if you get it close be satisfied. You can only straighten them so much.

For a hard to find one you might check out the threads detailing using a sleeve repair with a new donor shaft.

 

[painttoad]

best way I have found; a deep socket just large enough to fit around the shaft. I put a small piece of something between the two fingers of the pot so they stay in the correct form. With the face plate off so I can get the socket all the way down to the base, carefully pull it straight(er).

pretty much what i USED do but i liked to use a driver or extention on the socket for leverage which will give a lot more control.

settle for less than perfect. strive for perfection and most times you will be referring to post 5.

that's the old way. my new way is :

i will borrow a few nuts and cover the threads so i get a good bite with vice grips and do no more damage. don't lock the vice grips as you want some give to them as they move to either side

a socket does not allow you to see what you are doing. with vice grips you can see every minute bend. you can also use the jaws as a reference to how straight it is.... you can turn the shaft and locate the exact area that needs more bending. the socket method involves your eyeball with no reference.

i get a lot better results like this than i ever did with the socket.

 

[Warren-Oates]

looks promising