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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Topic started by: Taylor on May 05, 2010, 06:02:07 PM

Title: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on May 05, 2010, 06:02:07 PM
I often orient my board-mounted pots on the solder side of the board, such that the back of the pot will short out the soldered connections if I don't put something there to stop it. I've used cardstock to keep them from shorting, but I'd like to do something a little better. I have once seen rubber covers that slip on the back of a pot, seemingly for this very purpose. Unfortunately I don't remember where I saw this and some Googling didn't turn anything up.

Anyone know what those might be called/where to get them/another solution?
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: frequencycentral on May 05, 2010, 06:05:53 PM
http://www.buildyourownclone.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=20231&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=pot+condoms
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Brymus on May 05, 2010, 06:18:16 PM
Nice one Rick,the guy that made those is a bit of a Jeri Ryan fan eh?
Me too!
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: theehman on May 05, 2010, 06:23:31 PM
I use low profile rubber feet, one on the back of each pot.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on May 05, 2010, 06:34:29 PM
Quote from: frequencycentral on May 05, 2010, 06:05:53 PM
http://www.buildyourownclone.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=20231&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=pot+condoms

Cool, but too fiddly for me. As an American, I require a readymade, pre-packaged solution.  :icon_twisted:

Quote from: theehman on May 05, 2010, 06:23:31 PM
I use low profile rubber feet, one on the back of each pot.

Do you have a link? That would work well but the ones I have are too thick.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Brymus on May 05, 2010, 06:38:01 PM
Home Depot and Lowes sell them for putting on the bottom of chair legs to keep from scratching the floor.
Almost the exact size as a 24mm pot,About 4$ for a package 20 IIRC
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: frequencycentral on May 05, 2010, 06:39:15 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_cot
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: frequencycentral on May 05, 2010, 06:45:15 PM
(http://alllayedout.com/Images/Female_Celebrities/graphics/jeri_ryan_2.jpg)
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on May 05, 2010, 06:46:11 PM
I thought about those finger cots when looking at the BYOC thread, but I'd prefer for my pedals not to have that gross condom smell.  :icon_confused:

Edit: are your last 2 posts meant to be used in combination?
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Brymus on May 05, 2010, 06:52:20 PM
Quote from: Taylor on May 05, 2010, 06:46:11 PM
I thought about those finger cots when looking at the BYOC thread, but I'd prefer for my pedals not to have that gross condom smell.  :icon_confused:

Edit: are your last 2 posts meant to be used in combination?
Wouldnt that be a Heavenly Voyage  :icon_lol:
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Spidermonkey on May 05, 2010, 07:00:08 PM
Pre-made, you say?  ;)
http://www.guitarpcb.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1409402
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on May 05, 2010, 07:13:55 PM
Hmm, not bad. But don't they need to be shrunk onto the pot to stay on?
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Spidermonkey on May 05, 2010, 07:27:58 PM
Nope, I'm pretty sure those are preshrunk. I've made a couple, and they stay on the pots VERY well.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Steve Mavronis on May 06, 2010, 07:28:15 AM
Quote from: Brymus on May 05, 2010, 06:38:01 PM
Home Depot and Lowes sell them for putting on the bottom of chair legs to keep from scratching the floor.
Almost the exact size as a 24mm pot,About 4$ for a package 20 IIRC

Do they have this the size of a 16mm pot?
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: zombiwoof on May 07, 2010, 03:41:38 PM
I've seen those black plastic pot covers that come on the "Blacktop" wah pots for sale separately somewhere, but I don't remember where.  They'll only fit the 24mm pots, though.

Al
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: theehman on May 07, 2010, 03:46:22 PM
You could also use a square of double-sided foam tape.  Just leave the protective backing in place so the board doesn't stick to it.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: zombiwoof on May 07, 2010, 03:53:17 PM
Found it at Banzai:

http://www.banzaimusic.com/Dust-Seal-Cover.html (http://www.banzaimusic.com/Dust-Seal-Cover.html)

I think I saw them at a U.S. store, too, but don't recall which one.

Al
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: .Mike on May 07, 2010, 04:10:00 PM
Quote from: zombiwoof on May 07, 2010, 03:53:17 PM
Found it at Banzai:

http://www.banzaimusic.com/Dust-Seal-Cover.html (http://www.banzaimusic.com/Dust-Seal-Cover.html)

That made me think of the clear plastic tubes used to store documents and such. I figured there has to be a company that sells just the endcaps. A search turns up this: http://www.stockcap.com/store/Product/SkuInfo.aspx?id=1092

It looks like it would possibly fit 16mm pots, and costs about a dime apiece if you buy 500. Taylor, maybe you should take a look, measure your pots, and order a few samples?

Another thought is something like Plasti Dip (http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip).

Mike
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on May 07, 2010, 04:24:38 PM
Quote from: .Mike on May 07, 2010, 04:10:00 PM
Quote from: zombiwoof on May 07, 2010, 03:53:17 PM
Found it at Banzai:

http://www.banzaimusic.com/Dust-Seal-Cover.html (http://www.banzaimusic.com/Dust-Seal-Cover.html)

That made me think of the clear plastic tubes used to store documents and such. I figured there has to be a company that sells just the endcaps. A search turns up this: http://www.stockcap.com/store/Product/SkuInfo.aspx?id=1092

It looks like it would possibly fit 16mm pots, and costs about a dime apiece if you buy 500. Taylor, maybe you should take a look, measure your pots, and order a few samples?

Another thought is something like Plasti Dip (http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip).

Mike

Wow, excellent find Mike. That looks like it will fit perfectly on 16mm pots. I think I just might nab those. Thanks!

I bet the wah pot covers are just those same things, sold at a premium because of the special use. The wah "tension clutch" is just a plastic cable clamp you can get at any hardware store, for example.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Steve Mavronis on May 07, 2010, 04:30:22 PM
The inside length is 1/2" and the body of 16mm pots are not that thick.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: zombiwoof on May 07, 2010, 04:31:17 PM
Quote from: .Mike on May 07, 2010, 04:10:00 PM
Quote from: zombiwoof on May 07, 2010, 03:53:17 PM
Found it at Banzai:

http://www.banzaimusic.com/Dust-Seal-Cover.html (http://www.banzaimusic.com/Dust-Seal-Cover.html)

That made me think of the clear plastic tubes used to store documents and such. I figured there has to be a company that sells just the endcaps. A search turns up this: http://www.stockcap.com/store/Product/SkuInfo.aspx?id=1092

It looks like it would possibly fit 16mm pots, and costs about a dime apiece if you buy 500. Taylor, maybe you should take a look, measure your pots, and order a few samples?

Another thought is something like Plasti Dip (http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip).

Mike

Cool link, I think these should fit the 24mm pots:

http://www.stockcap.com/store/Product/SkuInfo.aspx?id=989 (http://www.stockcap.com/store/Product/SkuInfo.aspx?id=989)

They have them in red and black.  I don't know if I'd want to buy 1000 or them, though ($38)

Al.

Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on May 07, 2010, 04:49:40 PM
Quote from: Steve Mavronis on May 07, 2010, 04:30:22 PM
The inside length is 1/2" and the body of 16mm pots are not that thick.

You're right, I may have to clip a little length off, but so far this seems best to me.

However, I know that something exists specifically for this purpose - just wish I could remember where I saw it.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: zombiwoof on May 07, 2010, 04:54:08 PM
I just requested a sample of the black caps that I think will fit a 24mm pot, I'm not sure if they are vinyl or rubber, but I asked for a sample of each if they are available.  I think the picture shows vinyl, but who knows?

I'll report back if I get them.

Al
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Paul Marossy on May 07, 2010, 10:04:42 PM
Plasti-Dip?
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: zombiwoof on May 12, 2010, 02:51:39 AM
I knew I saw those 24mm pot covers somewhere, they have them at AES (tubesandmore.com) for $.95 each.  Part number is R-V-COVER .  I can't find any way to link to specific pages from their site, just go there and search for that part number.

Al
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: YouAre on May 12, 2010, 07:55:23 AM
Where does one get 5/8inch Heat shrink anyway? Couldn't find any at small bear. Does anyone have a mouser part number so I can avoid the crazy upcharge from Rat Shack/Home Depot?
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: slacker on May 12, 2010, 02:41:45 PM
Plastic pots?

(http://www.eskimo.plus.com/fxstuff/ebpots.jpg)
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: SpencerPedals on May 13, 2010, 01:41:19 PM
Quote from: theehman on May 07, 2010, 03:46:22 PM
You could also use a square of double-sided foam tape.  Just leave the protective backing in place so the board doesn't stick to it.

Exactly what I did for my Aqua Puss build.  It works perfectly.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Steve Mavronis on May 15, 2010, 05:56:35 PM
What other material is a good electrical insulator? On my build I noticed the PCB angled mount 16mm pots come very close to touching the solder points when I was about to solder them on so I need something. I was at Home Depot today looking around. At first I found come stick-on cork pads about the right size. But then I thought they might absorb moisture and be a bad choice! The only other stick-on type thing they had that was close was little plastic velcro disks. There would probably be a risk of static electricity with plastic too. Is plain cardboard static free? I found some 5/8" outer diameter rubber washers that I was thinking of gluing on with contact cement. Then I was looking for electrical tape thicker than the normal 7 mil (0.007") rolls. I tought that I lucked out finding some 30 mill (0.030") thick rubber splicing tape. I didn't realize it isn't sticky like regular tape. Instead it is self-fusing to layers of itself. I could probably still cut out 5/8" circles and use contact cement on it but the splicing tape smells pretty bad from whatever makes it self-fusing and worried it might not glue on propery or harm something? I probably should have gotten the rubber washers that I left behind. But I do have electrical tape so maybe I can double it up to 14 mils (0.014") thickness so the sharp solder points don't cut through as easily and use that.

[EDIT] I just tried cutting out a disk of rubber from that 3M Tremflex 2155 Rubber Splicing Tape by tracing with an exacto-knife around a 3/8" jack washer as a template. It cut easy and is a perfect fit on the bottom of a 16mm pot. Hopefully it reacts okay to contact cement between the tape and the pot. What I like about it is that being 30 mil thick is like 4-1/3 layers of electrical tape. It is rated up to 600V so it should be good for low voltage circuits I think. A 3/4" by 22 foot roll costs $2.40 if anyone is interested in trying this too.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VWPHRS74L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
That white covering is just for separation between the tape layers in the roll and peels off.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: davent on May 15, 2010, 09:27:09 PM
I'm trying these bumper pads, one stuck on the middle of the pots back. http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=40536&cat=3,40993,41285


(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/bumperpads.jpg)

dave
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: MmmPedals on May 22, 2010, 10:12:06 PM
I just bought pot from tayda and they came with plastic covers!
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on May 22, 2010, 10:53:18 PM
Cool, I wish they had the right angle Alphas, though, and with solid shafts ideally. Still, these guys sell Alpha pots cheaper than Futurlec even.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: CynicalMan on June 09, 2010, 04:14:27 PM
I ordered a pot from this ebay seller (http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/Tayda2009__W0QQ_armrsZ1), and they came looking like this:
(http://sites.google.com/site/distorque/home/projects/pictures/pot%20cover.JPG)

The cover has alpha stamped on it. I think these might be a custom order option. Maybe something for the forum store?
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Steve Mavronis on June 09, 2010, 04:35:18 PM
Quote from: Taylor on May 22, 2010, 10:53:18 PM
Cool, I wish they had the right angle Alphas, though, and with solid shafts ideally. Still, these guys sell Alpha pots cheaper than Futurlec even.

Smallbear does...

Just superglue on that 0.030" thick splicing tape I mentioned for rubber insulation. I used a jack washer to cut around it with an exacto knife for a perfect circle about the right size for 16mm pots. I was worried about using superglue all at once in case they'd stick off-center. So what I did was place the rubber circle without gluing, to position it first. Then fold over half the rubber circle and put some superglue on the exposed half of the metal pot surface and fold it back down over the glue and press. Then fold over the remaining half and repeat. Perfect positioning!  
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on June 09, 2010, 04:52:34 PM
Right, Small Bear's the only place that has them, and they've been out of stock for months on the common values.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: ashcat_lt on June 09, 2010, 09:14:30 PM
A couple somebodys have mentioned Plasti-Dip.  The poor man's version is a fat layer or two of acrylic paint.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: ibodog on June 09, 2010, 10:52:22 PM
Most craft stores have 8x10 sheets of sticky back foam that's about the same thickness as 2 sheets of kid's construction paper.  Available in a wide array of colors!  :icon_lol:  Then you just need a way to cut 16mm circles out of it.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Steve Mavronis on June 09, 2010, 11:11:14 PM
Use a jack washer as a cutting template like I suggested above? Personally I don't like foam because over time it may break down into goo and sticks to everything.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: ibodog on June 10, 2010, 06:33:25 PM
Hmmm... this is the foam stuff they have for kid's art projects.  Have you seen this break down?  I haven't so far.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Steve Mavronis on June 10, 2010, 06:53:26 PM
Oh, I was thinking of the black foam like they had in the old MXR Distortion+ to insulate the PCB from the metal lid. That stuff is nasty.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Paul Marossy on June 10, 2010, 08:20:18 PM
Quote from: ibodog on June 10, 2010, 06:33:25 PM
Hmmm... this is the foam stuff they have for kid's art projects.  Have you seen this break down?  I haven't so far.

Craft stores sell it with a self adhesive backing. It's called "Foamies", and is like 1/16" thick. I've been using it on the bottom of my pedals for years. I have also used it on the backs of pots on occassion to prevent them from shorting out things.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: zombiwoof on June 10, 2010, 09:09:29 PM
Quote from: CynicalMan on June 09, 2010, 04:14:27 PM
I ordered a pot from this ebay seller (http://stores.shop.ebay.ca/Tayda2009__W0QQ_armrsZ1), and they came looking like this:
(http://sites.google.com/site/distorque/home/projects/pictures/pot%20cover.JPG)

The cover has alpha stamped on it. I think these might be a custom order option. Maybe something for the forum store?

I'm surprised no one has commented on this one, it's an Alpha pot that comes with a plastic cover.  I checked the site, and they have them in many values.  I haven't checked the U.S. Ebay Tayda site yet, maybe they have them here too (the Canadian Tayda site looks almost exactly like the U.S. one).  I wish they had them with solder lugs, though, they are all P.C.-mount.

Al
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: jimmybjj on June 18, 2010, 01:19:46 PM
Quote from: slacker on May 12, 2010, 02:41:45 PM
Plastic pots?

(http://www.eskimo.plus.com/fxstuff/ebpots.jpg)


where do you gt these kind of pots?
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: dudleydoright on July 10, 2010, 12:10:20 AM
  Just have to ask, magnums? lol droll i know
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on July 10, 2010, 12:22:23 AM
I forgot about this thread, but Tayda told me they'd sell me 100 of those things for $15  including shipping, 200 for $25. Pretty good, I think.
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: zombiwoof on July 10, 2010, 01:52:33 AM
Quote from: Taylor on July 10, 2010, 12:22:23 AM
I forgot about this thread, but Tayda told me they'd sell me 100 of those things for $15  including shipping, 200 for $25. Pretty good, I think.

The Alphas with the plastic covers?.  Or the greenish pots in the picture a couple of posts back?.

Al
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Taylor on July 10, 2010, 02:07:24 AM
Sorry, I was talking about the plastic pot covers that I was originally asking about.

100 pots of any kind for $15 would be more than just a pretty good deal!
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: Bad Chizzle on July 10, 2010, 03:10:58 AM
Thanks for the heads up Tayler, I just went and bought a bunch of stuff from them!
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: DougH on July 10, 2010, 08:20:54 AM
Quote from: Paul Marossy on May 07, 2010, 10:04:42 PM
Plasti-Dip?

I was just thinking the exact same thing. I wonder if there's a way of using it without ruining the pot?

http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip (http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip)
Title: Re: Rubber pot covers?
Post by: my7of9 on July 22, 2010, 07:38:48 PM
Mine are hand made by me and fit on 16mm pots snugly and I think they look cool! (And Yes my wife looks amazingly similar to Jeri Ryan hence: My7of9)
On top of that you can get a bag of twelve in either Black and Blue or Black and Red for $5 shipped in the US!

I appreciate the support!

Here is an example.

(http://thumbs.webs.com/Members/viewThumb.jsp?fileID=158097620&size=full)

(http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9158/bdsd4.jpg)

Here is the direct link for purchase! http://www.guitarpcb.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1409402