Some advice on Wah hardware fix?

[Focalized]

A couple things to get a used Wah enclosure working better.

First is the screw that holds the plastic clutch ring in. The hole is striped and the screw keeps turning. Would getting a slightly larger screw re-tap the hole? Would only a certain king of hardened screw work? Or is there a proper filler that could seal the hole letting me tap a new hole. I know there are just like to hear choices.

Second is with the axle pivot post. It's the kind with the tension bar across it, screwed down from inside. The problem is the post doesn't grip the upper foot pedal anymore. The side of the post with the teeth doesn't grip. So the tension bar is useless. So I need a way to fit the post and grip the side holes. Again another thought is to fill the holes and re-drill. But that makes me worry about getting the post back in easily. And how any filler will hold up. I found it near impossible to get one of those new wah pedals together without a vice hammer and ruining the paint.

Any ideas? Hope it's clear what I mean.

[italianguy63]

You know, if it was one thing or the other... I think I would take the time to fix it.  But, since you have 2 issues, it would be easier just to find a new enclosure on eBay.  You can swap out the guts in just a couple minutes...  I have had luck getting entire pedals in decent shape for under $30 if you are patient and shop for a bargain.

if you insist on fixing it-- filler won't work.  It is not strong enough.  The simple fix is to tap the holes bigger, and find bigger hardware that would work.

[Focalized]

It is an Ebay buy of a broken Crybaby. I like to buy them and rebuild. Just need to get this one tightened up. Maybe if I overfill the hole with the coat of paint the post might stick.

[armdnrdy]

Maybe if I overfill the hole with the coat of paint the post might stick.

Yes...you can do that if you want it to eventually fail again.

Paint doesn't have very good mechanical properties. 

I would try to use the next size screw.

Find a self tapping machine screw of this type:

[Focalized]

Yeah for the clutch i'll try a larger screw. But for the treadle post I'm not sure. Not going to easily find anything to replace that part to fit.

[italianguy63]

If you are talking about the metal post that goes through the treadle... where the splines are?   Hmmm... on that one you just need something (solid) to take up the slack.  I would recommend trying a thin wrap of metal tape on the splines (sticky back aluminum tape).  When you tap the pin back in, the tension should keep it all in.

[Focalized]

Hey aluminum tape is a good idea. My dad has some I know in his mass of old tape drawer. I'll try that. It has to be just enough to not peel off when I push the post in.

[armdnrdy]

Okay....I think I understand what part you're referring to....the wah axle with the splines on one end.

Since there is no real pressure/movement on this component, you might try a dab of J.B. Weld.

[Focalized]

I've been looking for the JB weld I bought once. Can't find it. I've never used the stuff and wondered how it would work. I want it to not be permanent so it can be taken apart if needed. 

[armdnrdy]

I've been looking for the JB weld I bought once. Can't find it. I've never used the stuff and wondered how it would work. I want it to not be permanent so it can be taken apart if needed. 

J.B.Weld works great! I've attached aluminum standoffs to enclosures for a solid bond.

If you want to be able to pop the axle back out you may want to use a medium duty adhesive such as Liquid Nails Perfect Glue.
Perfect Glue dries hard but is flexible so the axle should be able to be worked back out.

[Mustachio]

Maybe a little red thread lock would work ? And maybe a lil strip of rubber or something over the axel where the metal band holds it down for tension.

[PRR]

Properly mixed JB Weld will repair a tractor permanently. (I just got a 47 year old backhoe and I may need a quart of JB.)

If you need to get it apart again, the Liquid Nails products are more suitable.

[italianguy63]

I use a filler product called "QuickSteel" -  It is basically JB Weld in a 2 part putty form (metalized epoxy).  It's pretty cool strong stuff.  Nice when you need to fill something metal, but don't want to deal with runny epoxy....  MC

[Focalized]

I've got some aluminum tape, foil thin I'll try first. It might just come off when I push the post through. And I got some Weld. Maybe just a bit should tighten it up.

[italianguy63]

I think if you use just a small bit carefully, it should be perfect.

[joegagan]

sorry to be a naysayer on aluminum tape and jb weld ideas.

repairing either of the areas you mention with jb weld does not work, because it it has very low tensile strength in thin applications.

tapping your screw hole to 8-32 ( up from the std 6-32) is a great fix.

the treadle part of the wah is designed to hold the axle ( the thing you are calling a post) tight without turning, hence the knurl on the far side of the axle.

this is why metal tape won't work, it will flop out of place before you get to the chorus of tales of brave ulysses.


if you are good with epoxy, you can probably get the axle to keep from spinning in the treadle holes (try epoxying the knurl side only), but may make disassembly harder in the future.

in a pinch i have had success putting a slit in the knurled end of the axle and driving small metal wedge into the end, the same way you would hold an axe head on. you can also try exaggerating the knurl, and/or ' egging' the knurl end with a large hammer and anvil.
why does that last paragraph remind me of da-wight  on the office? beets, anyone?

[Focalized]

Thanks all I guess I have to try everything starting from least permanent to most.

[armdnrdy]

I would do whatever Joe suggests.

Joe IS the wah man.  

He was playing with his wah before we knew what it was for!

[Jdansti]

BTW- this would probably be too expensive for this application, but something to keep in mind. If you ever want to repair a bolt or screw hole and keep the same size screw or bolt, you can use something like the Helicoil system. You tap the hole to a larger size and then screw an insert in that has outer threads that match the tapped hole, and inner threads that match the original bolt or screw.   They're used a lot in automotive and appliance repair.

[Focalized]

I would do whatever Joe suggests.

Joe IS the wah man.  

He was playing with his wah before we knew what it was for!

Yes well his name is on the wah pots I bought. Thanks Joe! I like em. I also bought one of those inductors with the real dime glued to the top. Sold along with the pots. Great deal too.

The screw refit was no trouble with a larger screw. Just have to wait some time while the paint on the pedal hardens to start messing with the axle post. I have to make it work.

The pedal will actually stay in place from the friction of the wah pot, but I'm thinking that will loosen up eventually.