TheBasement
Well-known member
The big "Where to source 5K potentiometers" question
I have a few games that have pots getting ready to go, or could use replacements from various games and manufacturers. Dead spots, jumpiness, etc. I've even tried disassembly, turning the shafts back and forth real fast, etc. These things just wear out with time. Sometimes, you just have to replace them.
So searches on the original part numers turn up nothing except happ controls. As some of you might know, Happ Control original potentiometers run $25 to $30 a piece, not including shipping. That's just robbery, I don't care if you have a monopoly on those parts or not. I just can't do it.
So the question is this. Where do others source their pots? Am I left to customize and grind down shafts of generic 5K pots to fit my needs? It seems all my pots need that flat surface that you use a set screw on, and it seems every generic pot out there has a rounded shaft. Unfortunately I don't have the tools or know how to grind down a shaft. What do I do? What does everyone else do?
I have a few games that have pots getting ready to go, or could use replacements from various games and manufacturers. Dead spots, jumpiness, etc. I've even tried disassembly, turning the shafts back and forth real fast, etc. These things just wear out with time. Sometimes, you just have to replace them.
So searches on the original part numers turn up nothing except happ controls. As some of you might know, Happ Control original potentiometers run $25 to $30 a piece, not including shipping. That's just robbery, I don't care if you have a monopoly on those parts or not. I just can't do it.
So the question is this. Where do others source their pots? Am I left to customize and grind down shafts of generic 5K pots to fit my needs? It seems all my pots need that flat surface that you use a set screw on, and it seems every generic pot out there has a rounded shaft. Unfortunately I don't have the tools or know how to grind down a shaft. What do I do? What does everyone else do?