Small pot in a large hole

[drummer4gc]

Anyone have a good trick for replacing a larger pot with a smaller one - say, replacing a 24mm with a 16mm - and keeping the threaded part of the body from moving around in the original hole in the enclosure? I find that it's hard to tighten a pot in too large a hole properly, but I'm sure one of you has a good trick to snug it up.

[EBK]

Filll the hole with JB Weld and redrill?

A ring of large diameter wire around the bushing, perhaps?

Secure the sides of the pot body with foam tape?

Just a few ideas.  If I think of more before someone posts the facepalm correct answer that eludes me, I will add them here. 

[marcelomd]

Aren't the threaded parts the same diameter? Even if the bodies are different.

Two sets of nuts and washers, one below the enclosure, one on top. Tight.

Also, heat shrink tubing on the potentiometer threads can make them wider.

[blackieNYC]

A toothed lockwasher should hold it in place, wouldn't you think?

[StephenGiles]

Sugru may do the trick.

[GGBB]

You can get mini pots with 3/8" bushings which are the same size as on typical full-size pots like CTS. For example: https://www.allparts.com/EP-5485-000-CTS-250K-Mini-Audio-Pot_p_1495.html.

Or maybe you just want to use up mini pots that you already have - try a layer or two of heat shrink or tape around the bushing below the surface and a large washer.

[cdc]

Installing a threaded insert would be the classiest way to do this.
Sliding an o-ring, or thinly cut section of rubber tubing over the threads and placing a washer on top of it would probably be quicker than finding the right sized insert.

[thermionix]

The washers that come with the pot have always worked for me.  It can be a little trouble to keep it centered while you tighten the nut, but no big deal.

[boppy100]

Maybe drill a hole for the anti-rotation tab, or whatever the thing is we normally clip off.

[amptramp]

You can get shoulder washers in fiber, nylon or metal:




This is probably the best choice.

[zombiwoof]

I've seen adapters that achieve exactly that, but I can't remember where.  I thought it was Philadelphia Luthier's, but I can't find them there.  Maybe do a search on the net to find them.
Al

[drummer4gc]

A shoulder washer is exactly the right thing - thanks, never knew what that was called!

I was able to curl a piece of stripped insulation from the right size wire around the base of the potentiometer bushing, which allowed it to stay centered and real snug once tightened. It'll work perfectly until the next person removes the pot - hope it's not me!

[darron]

if the washer is big enough and you just need to centre the knob well... in a pinch you can wrap the base with some thick wire made into a flat coil shape. some solder can work well.

[zombiwoof]

The adapters I saw were metal, wish I could remember where I saw them.  I remember thinking they could be useful.  Should have bookmarked the page.
Al

[imJonWain]

not a single twss

[BetterOffShred]

That s what I was thinking.   I came here for the dick jokes 

[turdadactyl]

Check these out:
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/misc-hardware/brass-pot-adapter-sleeves-5-pack/

Probably what zombiwoof meant.

But if you can find the right combination of sizes, this is what you need:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threaded_insert

[davent]

Check these out:
https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/misc-hardware/brass-pot-adapter-sleeves-5-pack/

Probably what zombiwoof meant.

But if you can find the right combination of sizes, this is what you need:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threaded_insert

Those bushings are for fixing the fit issue of using a 1/4" knob on a splined shaft which is a touch smaller then 1/4", ~6mm.
dave