I have a particular rotary switch with an about 2mm thick stem. It is made of some sort of steel. The stem on it is broken. It is an 11 position switch, kinda hard to find although I have seen 11 position rotary switches (whose positions do not match the markings on the device).
I would like to know if there is a simple way of mending that switch. Maybe silver brazing or using some sort of a drill and tap mini screw with loktite. Any thoughts on this?
thanks
How about a tube over the break. Maybe the right sized electrical but connector soldered on.
If you can dis-assemble the switch and get the shaft by itself silver-soldering (real silver, not the 5% stuff) is the way to go. Depends on where the break is and how much clearance you have before the knob sits on the shaft , but the idea of a sleeve is a good one if you can fit it.
With those multi position switches if it's an open frame design often you can just unbend some tabs and they'll come apart.
2mm is awfully small to attempt a merely mechanical repair.
How long is it, and does it go through a panel or plate (with the switch behind) ?
If it actually is 2mm ( 0.0787 inch) an 0-80 tap is about .060 - leaves about a .009 wall thickness... I think it would just break again...
How about a sleeve or bushing around it with epoxy in it...?
Ooops... just checked before posting and Tom beat me to it with an additional idea as well... JHbs
The switch stem may be a simple D section, and in some designs of switch, could be replaced.
Thanks Ian. Good tip. I will soon have some time and will take that unit apart to see just what's up.
i
Silver brazing should work. Would it be possible to sleeve the shaft and use setscrews to hold the sleeve to the shaft.
--RC "Sometimes history doesn't repeat itself. It just yells 'can't you remember anything I've told you?' and lets fly with a club. -- John W. Cambell Jr.
Is it something simple enough so that you could make a working functional duplicate with a little lathe work and some judicious filing to form the flat on the shaft?
Back when I was a kid, and the only power tool the family owned was a
1/4" electric drill, I was able to make small "turned parts" for model aircraft and the like with little more than that drill and an assortment of files and hacksaw blades.HTH,
Jeff
Yes, if I can take the switch apart, I could make the whole new stem, Isuppose.
iYup, the old Black and Decker speed lathe, did that myself. Turned some firing pins out of drill rod that way long before I ever had a lathe or could dream of owning one.
If the O.P.'s switch is part of a consumer electronic unit, chances are the importer won't have ANY parts, it's probably proprietary, best bet is to rob another unit or buy a replacement for it. Most stuff isn't built to be serviced anymore and they make it damned hard to try. It usually isn't worth the time given the falling cost of consumer electronics these days.
Stan
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