RTurner Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Does anyone know of any practical reason why one should use potentiometers with metal shafts versus plastic? Are they more prone to breaking? Bending? The reason I ask is: I like the "feel" of Bourns potentiometers, however; the only ones that seem to be reasonably priced have plastic shafts. Even the approx. $3 that mouser wants per potentiometer is a bit steep for me, but, $3 is closer to my price range than the 5+ dollars the others are going for...Thanks,Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pay_c Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Nohohooooormallyyyy (***) metal shaft pots have higher power ratings and are used for that stuff (e.g. in row with relais, direct control of motors and other higher power (>0,5W) stuff). So in MB´s there´s aaabsolutely no need for metal shafts.Greetz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dengel Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 I am actually using plastic shaft pots from Bournes that I found for next to nothing (.75 a piece!). There are potential issues if you are really tough on equipment, but if not then there's no big difference. The forces applied to the shaft are primarily rotational, and so a composite shaft is just fine - particularly in the larger sizes. But I tested my pot choice through 1 straight hour of back and forth twisting - no degredation noted, and that is on a 1/8" shaft!EDIT: No Masturbation jokes please. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTurner Posted May 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Alright, the good news: at a local computer/electronics store I found a stash of bourns pots that are pretty much everything I need... 10k, 5/8" diameter base, great <ahem> rotational action on the shaft, they're even of the conductive plastic type. I was able to buy a box of 26 for $40! (eat it, mouser)The trade off: the shaft is metal, but it's 1/8th inch in diameter........ were aluminum knobs just never made for 1/8th inch shafts??? Oh well, thanks for the swift replies guys.Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dengel Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 the shaft is metal, but it's 1/8th inch in diameter........ were aluminum knobs just never made for 1/8th inch shafts???Check my post in Parts Archive titled "God I love Knobs"!, where you will find a company that makes very nice aluminim knobs for 1/8" shafts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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