Mounting a Slide Potentiometer?????
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  1. #1
    Tech Wizard
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    Default Mounting a Slide Potentiometer?????

    Have a question about construction, just weighing up my options about monting my slide pots to the front panel of my midi controller.

    i thought about using a xacto/stanley knife (only using MDF as a proto)

    or making a jig/Guide for a router with a 3mm bit (dont really want to build a jig)

    if anybody has other ideas, lets me know!!

    cheers guys,

    btw, i think i have alread posted this, but you can follow my slow, process here! www.soundsparks.blogspot.com

  2. #2
    Tech Guru
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    so, you just want to knkow how to make the slot for the fader shaft?

    I would probably use a dremel tool and a guide tbh... router and small bit seems like a bit overkill

    If you could get a slot started, you could stick thin, small japanese saw in there and saw in either direcction to length.

  3. #3
    Tech Mentor CerebralExcretion's Avatar
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    I picked up a cheap router which came with a range of bits and guides it makes perfect 'slots' for sliders. I can even bevel the edges to provide a recesses for slider and pot knobs to sit in which looks awesome.

    Be very careful though I lost the tip of my thumb when the router hit a hard section in the wood and jumped out, wouldnt be so bad but the flat surface makes using my iphone rather difficult!
    Live 8 / X-session Pro / KP3 / SCS.3D / Launch Pad / Pacemaker

    And a large pile of custom diy midi controllers

  4. #4
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    Router, does sound like overkill. But it's a $300 router.

    That being said. I agree. ^^

    just keen to see what other ideas are floating around so I can mix and match different methods.

    The Japanese saw idea I like though, I will do some experimenting. Thanks for that.

    And yeah, i've lost a fare few cups of blood over the years. Last was a drill on trigger lock that I dropped on my foot. Felt like a total idiot. Also needed stiches for the hole/gash but managed to heal up quickly. The crap thing is, the instrument I was building ended up being a shit prototype

  5. #5
    Tech Guru Archies'bald's Avatar
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    Jigsaw and file? That's what I used on my 3mm aluminium case. I tried using a routing drill bit, but it proved impossible to control. I ended up cutting the full section out and showing the fader track as part of the case.





    A lot depends on the material you're cutting.
    Last edited by Archies'bald; 03-22-2010 at 08:01 AM.

  6. #6
    Tech Mentor CerebralExcretion's Avatar
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    when i said cheap router mine cost £20 (so thats what $30) and it will cut thin sheet aluminum so long as i go slow.

    As you say its a case of mix and match untill you find the appropriate method for the material your working with.
    Live 8 / X-session Pro / KP3 / SCS.3D / Launch Pad / Pacemaker

    And a large pile of custom diy midi controllers

  7. #7
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    I've cut myself up pretty badly over the years. Most of them were actually with hand tools (planes, saws). I just counted myself lucky that they were not power saws, or jointers haha.

    I mean, if your router is a plunge router, and you set up guides, I think you could do it no problem. It looks like you have woodoworking experience, based on you blog (I also make guitars in my spare time).

  8. #8
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    archie, that looks pretty sick!, im also doing the ps2 thumbstick, but hiding instead of seeing the joystick guts.

    cerebral, looks like i will have to go guides after all, my bench is already full of Jigs and guides bolted down for guitars etc, so i spose another wont hurt, im just too lazy

    sine, yeah mate, plunge router, had it for years, im just sick if using it, havent had much experience with dremel though, i dont think dremel is a big craze in australia?? coz ive never seen one in use....

  9. #9
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    http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/un...DremelTool.jpg

    Its just a small router essientially, that you can throw various bits into.

    I compare it to using a pencil in comparison to a paint roller.

  10. #10
    Tech Wizard
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    oh.. those..

    yeah, ill have to check it out, are they fairly priced?

    accept other branded bits apart from 'dremel'

    cheers for that.

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