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What's the quick fix for Volume and Tone knobs that constantly fall off?

davebc

New member
Joined
May 7, 2002
Messages
3,361
Geez, what a nusance. It's a problem on about three of my Les Pauls right now; not to mention the football switch on one of my Strats p/u selector.
I know there's a simple fix before I make the problem worse.
Thanks
 

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
If the pots are split shaft, and they should be on a Lester, just gently pry the two halves of the shaft apart. I've also used RTV or rubber cement on occasion.
 

Mike Shaw

Active member
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
Messages
2,883
Although I haven't tried it, you could probably take some teflon tape and wrap it around the shaft before you put the knob on.
 

tuberide

Active member
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1,469
Although I haven't tried it, you could probably take some teflon tape and wrap it around the shaft before you put the knob on.

I have and teflon tape works great. Be careful with those split shafts, they can break if too much force is used.
 

Leña_Costoso

New member
Joined
Jul 24, 2005
Messages
2,234
What I do - is take a tooth pick... and coat the inside of the knob's hole with superglue.

DO NOT BE A DUMBASS AND PUT THE KNOB BACK ON BEFORE THE GLUE HAS DRIED COMPLETELY.


The superglue builds up material, makes the knob fit "like new". If you can SMELL teh superglue its not dry yet!!!

Sometimes ya need two or even three "coats", but it works fine, is clear, is a completely invisible fix. But it takes longer - you gotta let that knob set up overnight... or more for extra coats. But then again, you dont risk breaking a split shaft either.
 

shuie

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Aug 26, 2005
Messages
3,480
Wrap some tinfoil around the shaft of the pot. works like a charm.
 

jmartin

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Dec 4, 2007
Messages
287
Don't try to pry the split shaft apart. It breaks really easily. Just put a small piece of masking tape on the shaft and stick the knob back on.
 

davebc

New member
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May 7, 2002
Messages
3,361
Thanks one and all. The reason I asked is that many years ago, a teenager, I had the same problem, and yes split and broke the shaft.
 

rjaneshe

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
75
Sounds like a lot of good ideas here but I've got one more easy one. I've fixed loose knobs by placing a small square of thin paper over the top of the pot shaft. The square of paper should be smaller than the diameter of the knob. Then I just push the knob on the shaft with the paper in between. It sort of forms the paper around the shaft for a tight fit. And best of all it's temporary but holds the knobs on snug.
 

jmartin

New member
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
287
Or you might accidently glue your nostrils together. That would be embarassing.
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
What are you guys using to open up the split shaft a pry-bar!?!?

I've, over 25 years, NEVER broken a split shaft put. You take a small flat head screw driver and GENTLY open up the shaft a TINY bit. It takes VERY little to get the shaft to the right size for the knob.

Use the shaft for what it was designed for.....it is split for a reason! I'd never put gunk, tape, crap in the pot just to get it to fit!

Open up the shaft.
 

rsrelic

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2002
Messages
1,317
:lol Ding ding ding we have a winner. They are split for a reason, so just be carefull and done make a wish with the things and you will be fine.
 

jmartin

New member
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
287
Fine, Go ahead. But don't say everyone above didn't warn you. :dang
 

LiveOak

New member
Joined
Dec 6, 2006
Messages
237
Cyanoacrylics - the toxic part of superglue, WILL kill you if you sniff enought of it, no joking here.
 

tuberide

Active member
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1,469
It really depends on the composition of the metal of the pot's shaft. Can anyone comment the split shaft alloy of the various brands? Pot metal will fail without much coersion. Break a shaft and your simple project just became much more involved.
 
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