Repairing potentiometer axis with 3D printing

mmu_man

Tinkerer
Jan 30, 2022
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We have this EMU Graphic Equaliser here that are missing the knobs on the gain pots, and one of the pots actually has a broken axis, and it has an unusual diameter of 4mm.

So instead of searching for replacement pots that would probably require me to drill a larger hole in the face plate, I thought I'd try to use 3D printing. I made a generic axis adapter that I can someday extend for other axis types.

So I printed the adapters to fit into the knobs I want to use…

Copie d'écran_20260506_013426.png

Then I wondered if I could just print the missing part for the broken axis, and join them with a bent paperclip…

Copie d'écran_20260506_013443.png

I had to use a dremel to drill into the remainder of the axis, it's not exactly aligned but it should be good enough…

EMO_GraphicEqualiser_20260505_173401.jpg

Then I bent part of the paperclip in a U shape…

I wanted to try heating the paperclip but I thought I'd just "Hit it with a hammer"…

EMO_GraphicEqualiser_20260505_204833.jpg

I'll have to test, hopefully I didn't destroy the pot inside… 😅

EMO_GraphicEqualiser_20260505_221418.jpg

Model is here. It can adapt from 4mm, 6mm, 6mm with a plane knobs, to a 4mm axis, or to the paperclip repair.
 

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