[sdiy] TB-303 servicing questions

[cheater00 .]

On Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 11:41 AM, Robin Whittle <rw at firstpr.com.au> wrote:
> Hi Damien,
>
> I don't have any great insights into silicone grease.  I am using some
> light grease I bought many years ago, with a brand name which no longer
> exists.  I only use about 1 cubic millimetre - on the friction ring and
> around the shaft itself.  I clean the old grease off with tissues,
> probably leaving a little behind, but that's OK.
>
> I don't lubricate the tracks or wipers - but there is a whole range of
> products called DeoxIt, some of which may be intended for this.
>
> The 3rd and 4th photo here and the text make it very clear what the
> cutting problem is with the original ALPS pots:
>
>    http://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/dfish/pot-wear/

Ahh, I hadn't noticed the purple arrow before. Purple on red is
difficult on my LCD. Thanks!

> The same thing could happen with the Bass Bot 6 small pots and those
> being sold by Technology Transplant - so don't press down on them while
> turning them.  I have a modification which is quite tricky.  I dismantle
> the pot, make a slight countersink hole in the rear of the phenolic
> panel, and then make a special dimple in the back piece of metal to be a
> tiny fraction of a millimetre higher, going into the now countersunk
> hole.  When done the right way (I spent half a day making a tool, and
> use a micrometer to get it right, filing it down if I need to) this
> reduces wobble in the shaft and prevents it being pushed down enough to
> cut the tracks.  This description will only make sense if you have a
> dismantled pot in front of you.

Actually it makes perfect sense looking at the photos on your site - thanks!

> I got the two sets of pots from Technology Transplant about two months
> ago.  They are still for sale here:
>
>    http://www.technologytransplant.com/index.php?cPath=30_29_10
>
> Cy, previously of Technology Transplant, runs Cyclone Analogic and from
> all I know is no longer associated with Technology Transplant.
>
>   - Robin

OK, so I guess the TT "brand" still exists, it's just done by someone
else (the guy who bought off the stock).

Cheers,
D.