[AMRadio] A long shot request

[Mark Bolton]

Jim:

I hesitate to add yet another suggestion. You seem to be well advised. But I feel your pain in wanting to make a proper, and permanent, repair. I’m not sure if my suggestion will be applicable or not  but I have seen several metal repairs made using a drill press to open the damaged hole and then a metal lathe to make an insert which is then threaded and redrilled.

None of these repairs were to a Heathkit knob but I am wondering if you might have a drill press and slightly enlarge the damaged threaded hole then find some existing rod material to fill the hole (glued with epoxy). Then redrill and thread the hole. Maybe even use some brass rod from a hardware store to make the sleeve.

Good luck with your repair. I aways admire the work of machinists to make custom parts. The amateur radio hobby sometimes requires the combining of many skills and crafts beyond electronics.


> On Mar 25, 2023, at 11:31 AM, w5jo at brightok.net wrote:
> 
> Looking at this knob thing, the knob is made very cheaply and the problem began when the capacitor became difficult to turn.  After stripping the original screw, the next larger size was installed without enlarging the hole.  That cause the collar around the hole to crumble, leaving a gap between the edges.
> 
> No only that, but the skirt has 4 small holes that fits over little plastic tits on the knob then the plastic is melted to hold it against the knob.  3 of the 4 four had come loose because of deterioration of the plastic, and probably use.  Glue took care of that and given about 1/3 of the collar for the shaft was missing, I am going to glue the knob to the shaft and forget it.  That means to remove the knob, one will have to take the cover off and access the set screw on the nylon coupler that interfaces with the metal capacitor shaft.
> 
> Thanks for all the suggestions guys, sometimes, living the the wilds of Southern Oklahoma, I tend to overthink a problem and need boundaries to get me back on track.    It is a good tuner and designed well but built poorly. Kind or reminds me of a Hallicrafters receiver I have and a WRL transmitter.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Jim
> W5JO 
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