Cutting down long pots?

[droffset]

Hi all,

I bought a lot of potentiometers on our local auction site. They're those really tall ones, with the long 'stems.'

What is the best way to trim those down? Some are plastic and some are metal, probably aluminium. Maybe something like a Dremel would work but i'd like to see if you have any idea also.

Thanks
s

[françois]

Hi,

A Dremel is perfectly adequate for this purpose. However I would suggest that you make some "master" template with a piece of metal tube to ensure you get the right and uniform shat length. I used this method at the time I used to directly screw the pots in the front panel, so shafts were of course much too long.

-- françois

[numbertalk]

A hacksaw works well too. I have an old stompbox case I use to mount the pot and clamp that to the edge of a work surface. Like was suggested make sure you mind the length - I've cut a few too short before. After sawing you can file down any burrs or sharp edges.

[andrewF]

I suggest you clamp the shaft and not the body of the pot when you are sawing/cutting.
if you clamp the pot's body and start sawing, the violence may damage the internals.

[numbertalk]

[andrewF]

i know this from experience

[droffset]

Thanks for the responses!

[stolenfat]

I use a small pipe cutter and a pair of thick pliers.
i tighten the cutters, and then hold them in my hand, clamp down on the SHAFT with the pliers and spin spin spin. My point is: dont ever put pressure on the body of the pot.