The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic How to free up frozen pot shaft?
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  How to free up frozen pot shaft?
Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 17 Jul 2011 2:09 pm    
Reply with quote

I have an amp that was in storage for several years. The very noisy pots were cleaned with lots of injecting of isopropyl alcohol and rapid rotating. Now, after not using the amp for about 3 weeks, one pot appeared to have a frozen shaft. It had been free enough during the cleaning process. I managed to free it by hand without too much effort, and rotating it for awhile caused it move a bit more freely, but not as freely as the other pots.

Do I need to lubricate? I assume the shaft is what is freezing up. What do I lube with? Light oil? Powdered graphite?
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

David Nugent

 

From:
Gum Spring, Va.
Post  Posted 17 Jul 2011 3:34 pm    
Reply with quote

Radio Shack has a tuner cleaner available named, "Tuner Control". Remove the knobs and spray it directly into all pots while turning the shafts back and forth. This should reduce any scratchiness as well.
View user's profile Send private message

Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 17 Jul 2011 3:41 pm    
Reply with quote

By using alcohol you have washed away all the lubrication that was there. Now you need to re-lubricate it.

Oops, David beat me to it while I was typin'! Smile
_________________
Best regards,
Mike
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Blake Hawkins


From:
Florida
Post  Posted 17 Jul 2011 6:30 pm    
Reply with quote

Bryan you can use any household light oil such as
"3 in 1", "Super Oil", or sewing machine oil.
I put one drop on a tooth pick, put on the shaft
and let it soak in.
Then put the knob back on and it should work freely.
One drop is enough to lube the shaft and not get
on internal parts.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Dave Mudgett


From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
Post  Posted 17 Jul 2011 9:03 pm    
Reply with quote

It definitely sounds like you washed away the lubricant when you flushed with alcohol - not a good idea.

Many people (including me) use DeOxit D5 for general electronic cleaning/lubrication - e.g., http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/caig-deoxit-d5s-6-spray-contact-cleaner--rejuvenator-5-oz. The Radio Shack tuner cleaner is OK also, but I prefer DeOxit.

But for pots and faders, I think DeOxit F5 Fader Lube - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/caig-deoxit-faderlube-lubricant-5-oz. - is even better yet.

PS - I'm not shilling for musicians friend, that's just an example. D5 is widely available, but F5 not so much so.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bryan Bradfield


From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Post  Posted 18 Jul 2011 6:42 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks for the tips guys. Blake - I will probably be using the light oil on a toothpick trick.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP