Newbie Question About Pots

[UltimateToneSeeker]

I am very new to this and am wanting to start a build. This is a really newbie and probably really silly question but I can't find an answer to it. When mounting the pots, do you mount them with the washer on the inside, inside and outside, just the outside or not at all? Or does it make any difference?

[tribi9]

Pot>washer>chassis>metal O'ring>nut

[UltimateToneSeeker]

Thanks tribi9. Is that even if both washers are metal?

[eddie25]

Yeah.

I like one of those lock washers (with the little teeth) to be between the pot and the inner part of the chassis. Not totally necessary, but makes it more unlikely that the pot will ever come loose.

[UltimateToneSeeker]

Yeah.

I like one of those lock washers (with the little teeth) to be between the pot and the inner part of the chassis. Not totally necessary, but makes it more unlikely that the pot will ever come loose.

That's a great idea.

[M Fowler]

Depends on what size pot you bought, thread length, thickness of the chassis and if your using a faceplate. For silk screened chassis (no separate faceplate) you can get by with standard Alpha pots.

If your like me and use a faceplate I buy 3/8 length pots mostly CTS for mojotone are my favorite and mojotone Alpha pots made to match the CTS in thread length 3/8 and shaft length 3/8. Bourns pots sold by apexjr match the CTS and Alpha mojotone pots.

Mark

[Milkmansound]

copy that Mark - the Mojotone CTS pots are the best. Worth the extra money by a long shot. They come with all of the hardware to properly mount them - not all pots do.

Use the internal tooth washer between the pot and the chassis - it digs into the metal and provides a good ground for the pot casing which acts as a shield for the internal mechanism of the pot.

[M Fowler]

copy that Mark - the Mojotone CTS pots are the best. Worth the extra money by a long shot. They come with all of the hardware to properly mount them - not all pots do.

Use the internal tooth washer between the pot and the chassis - it digs into the metal and provides a good ground for the pot casing which acts as a shield for the internal mechanism of the pot.

Tim, I agree 100% with what you noted.

Mark

[Smokebreak]

Yeah.

I like one of those lock washers (with the little teeth) to be between the pot and the inner part of the chassis. Not totally necessary, but makes it more unlikely that the pot will ever come loose.

That's a great idea.

Harbor Freight carries a 720pc lock washer set for $5.99. All different sizes and worth the cost of admission just for the ones that fit the pots.

[Cliff Schecht]

On my personal amps with Alpha or better pots, I tend to use no washers at all! IME getting the nut cranked down on the pot shaft is enough to get a good ground (albeit I tend to not rely on pot bodies for grounding anymore).