Mending a broken switch stem
 

How about a tube over the break. Maybe the right sized electrical but
connector soldered on.

"Ignoramus31471" wrote in message
...
I have a particular rotary switch with an about 2mm thick stem. It is
made of some sort of steel. The stem on it is broken. It is an 11
position switch, kinda hard to find although I have seen 11 position
rotary switches (whose positions do not match the markings on the
device).

I would like to know if there is a simple way of mending that
switch. Maybe silver brazing or using some sort of a drill and tap
mini screw with loktite. Any thoughts on this?

thanks

i

"Ignoramus31471" wrote in message
...
I have a particular rotary switch with an about 2mm thick stem. It is
made of some sort of steel. The stem on it is broken. It is an 11
position switch, kinda hard to find although I have seen 11 position
rotary switches (whose positions do not match the markings on the
device).

I would like to know if there is a simple way of mending that
switch. Maybe silver brazing or using some sort of a drill and tap
mini screw with loktite. Any thoughts on this?

If you can dis-assemble the switch and get the shaft by itself
silver-soldering (real silver, not the 5% stuff) is the way to go. Depends
on where the break is and how much clearance you have before the knob sits
on the shaft , but the idea of a sleeve is a good one if you can fit it.

With those multi position switches if it's an open frame design often you
can just unbend some tabs and they'll come apart.

2mm is awfully small to attempt a merely mechanical repair.

"Ignoramus31471" wrote in message
...
I have a particular rotary switch with an about 2mm thick stem. It is
made of some sort of steel. The stem on it is broken. It is an 11
position switch, kinda hard to find although I have seen 11 position
rotary switches (whose positions do not match the markings on the
device).

I would like to know if there is a simple way of mending that
switch. Maybe silver brazing or using some sort of a drill and tap
mini screw with loktite. Any thoughts on this?

thanks

How long is it, and does it go through a panel or plate (with the switch
behind) ?

If it actually is 2mm ( 0.0787 inch) an 0-80 tap is about .060 - leaves
about a .009 wall thickness... I think it would just break again...

How about a sleeve or bushing around it with epoxy in it...?

Ooops... just checked before posting and Tom beat me to it with an
additional idea as well...
JHbs

Ignoramus31471 wrote:
I have a particular rotary switch with an about 2mm thick stem. It is
made of some sort of steel. The stem on it is broken. It is an 11
position switch, kinda hard to find although I have seen 11 position
rotary switches (whose positions do not match the markings on the
device).

I would like to know if there is a simple way of mending that
switch. Maybe silver brazing or using some sort of a drill and tap
mini screw with loktite. Any thoughts on this?

The switch stem may be a simple D section, and in some designs of switch,
could be replaced.

On 31 Dec 2004 17:37:58 GMT, Ignoramus31471
wrote:

I have a particular rotary switch with an about 2mm thick stem. It is
made of some sort of steel. The stem on it is broken. It is an 11
position switch, kinda hard to find although I have seen 11 position
rotary switches (whose positions do not match the markings on the
device).

I would like to know if there is a simple way of mending that
switch. Maybe silver brazing or using some sort of a drill and tap
mini screw with loktite. Any thoughts on this?

thanks

i
Silver brazing should work. Would it be possible to sleeve the shaft
and use setscrews to hold the sleeve to the shaft.

--RC
"Sometimes history doesn't repeat itself. It just yells
'can't you remember anything I've told you?' and lets
fly with a club.
-- John W. Cambell Jr.

Ignoramus31471 wrote:
I have a particular rotary switch with an about 2mm thick stem. It is
made of some sort of steel. The stem on it is broken. It is an 11
position switch, kinda hard to find although I have seen 11 position
rotary switches (whose positions do not match the markings on the
device).

I would like to know if there is a simple way of mending that
switch. Maybe silver brazing or using some sort of a drill and tap
mini screw with loktite. Any thoughts on this?

thanks

i


Is it something simple enough so that you could make a working
functional duplicate with a little lathe work and some judicious filing
to form the flat on the shaft?

Back when I was a kid, and the only power tool the family owned was a
1/4" electric drill, I was able to make small "turned parts" for model
aircraft and the like with little more than that drill and an assortment
of files and hacksaw blades.

HTH,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in public
schools"

Yup, the old Black and Decker speed lathe, did that myself. Turned
some firing pins out of drill rod that way long before I ever had a
lathe or could dream of owning one.

If the O.P.'s switch is part of a consumer electronic unit, chances are
the importer won't have ANY parts, it's probably proprietary, best bet
is to rob another unit or buy a replacement for it. Most stuff isn't
built to be serviced anymore and they make it damned hard to try. It
usually isn't worth the time given the falling cost of consumer
electronics these days.

Stan