Trimming down Alpha pots

Zodiak · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 5:31 pm Post subject: Trimming down Alpha pots

I am more than happy with the Alpha pots recommended by the good folks here, they are superb and am happy that I changed.
There is however one slight niggle in that I can't find a knob that I am happy with that covers up the mounding nut so was wondering about cutting the shaft down by 5mm so that my existing ones would fit. Shocked

Has anybody tried this and how did it turn out? Confused

Thanks

The Bad Producer · Joined: Mar 08, 2009 Posts: 282 Location: The Manhole

I do this using some bolt cutter type pliers - quick and easy! I have tried sawing with a hacksaw years ago, but you get lots of metal dust...

The bolt cutters I have are little hand held ones with a 'levering-mechanism' that makes them cut harder (applies more pressure) than just you're normal cutters... oh here they are;

http://www.techool.com/productinfo.asp?pid=176&cid=7

Forge Steel Extra Leverage Pliers

Charlie

Zodiak · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:24 am Post subject:

Thanks, I have only chopped down plastic pot shafts with cutters. I can see what you mean about the dust and I was thinking of using a cutting disk on a dremel so maybe I need to re-think that.

analog_backlash · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:38 pm Post subject:

scriptstyle · Joined: Jan 22, 2008 Posts: 250 Location: nj

I remember buying extra long alpha pots long ago, i just put the shaft horizontally into the bench vise and hackjob... all dust goes down hold the pot with a plastic bag

Zodiak · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:16 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I have already had to change the pots once as I was having problems with the Omeg plastic ones, and having just rewired all 29 I don't want to remove them now, so its going to be careful masking with selotape and clingfilm , and then out with the dremel and disk. Confused

My main concern was that I was going to somehow screw the pooch by cutting the shafts to size and that no knob ever made would stay put afterwards.

diablojoy · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:15 pm Post subject:

measure the depth of the hole in the knob and cut the shaft down to that length taken from the end of the threaded bushing.
or another way is to mount the pot on the panel push the knob on then measure from the bottom of the knob to the panel surface and cut that much off minus a millimeter or so to keep it off the panel surface.
by the way i use a hacksaw, a vice and a fine file.

frijitz · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: Trimming down Alpha pots

Broadwave · Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:15 am Post subject:

One word… Dremel.

Can't live without mine Smile

TIP: Before you cut the shaft, mount the pot to a metal panel so it acts as a heatsink. I find that the lube inside the pot melts if it gets to hot when you're cutting (even with a hacksaw). It can end up with a "sloppy" feel otherwise.