Ten years ago I would have considered it impractical or even immoral.
But having to replace yet another effectively all plastic 12 mm pot because
the wiper is almost invisible in thickness, perhaps time for a rethink.
This type of pot has a metal covering but its only function is as a shroud
for fixing to the board, not even earthed, it does not strengthen the pot
body to restrain abuse at the other, user end. No longer are such pots fixed
to the front pannel.
I'm thinking that with the next one to replace it will be with a standard
small 12 mm or so enclosed preset that takes a standard plastic shaft in the
adjustment slot, fudging the other end of the shaft to take the knob and
through pannel bearer. The internal mechanism is just a pro-rata scaled down
conventional paxolin backed track with double wiper nibs.
If this replacement physically breaks in use then that seems more
justifiable than the modern flimsy wipers losing spring action or just aging
of the lubricant inside to wedge under the wiper and loose contact or
whatever their problem is, the tracks are always perfect (so little wiper
pressure presumably).
Are the resistive tracks of presets more frail/easier scoored than pot
tracks, so for that reason cannot be used say for volume control ?
Anyone any opinions?

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Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/