Volume Control VC4 repair / cleaning question

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mark,
"Smaller" -- thinner in shaft diameter, or shorter in length ? Thanks, Ron Rich

[Mark]

Hi Ron, Took me a while to find the old pot to compare them. The new pot shaft length is about 1/4 of an inch longer. The new shaft appears to be about the same diameter or a hair bigger however I don't own calipers. Also the new is smooth shaft versus the old original is grooved (knurled). when I say smaller I meant the actual body of the dual pot itself is quite a bit smaller. I can email you photos if you would like. Regards, Mark

[Ron Rich]

Hi Mark,
Thanks-- I have the info from the site-- also have a few NOS pots left, and I'm old, so I doubt I'll ever need more ! Ron Rich

[Marcel Bogert]

Most common issue on these volume controls is the carbon material flaking or parts of it missing.
These do not like cleaners.
I bought a bunch of these as spares from "working" machines that were parted out.
All were junk.

In NL a replacement pot is available with the 2 taps and with the correct resistance value, but with a smooth shaft.

To get the VC4 working again i drilled the knurled hole in the clutch disc out to size of the shaft of the new pot and tapped threads in the side of the clutch disc to fit a setscrew.
Creating a flat spot on the shaft of the new pot helps to keep the clutch disc in place.

Have done this several times no issue's yet.

If you do not want a remote volume control no need to change anything just fit the new pot.

I prefer to use the remote volume control as the SMC is a big machine or my arms are too short...

[Ron Rich]

Hi Marcel,
Yep-- your arms are too short--LOL -- Ron Rich