# Potentiometers Question **URL:** \ **Category:** DIY STUFF\ **Created:** [February 7, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616 "2022-02-07T17:30:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![unexpectedbowtie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/unexpectedbowtie/32/10648_2.png) [@unexpectedbowtie](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/unexpectedbowtie)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/1 "2022-02-07T17:30:32Z")
Hiya. I am finally getting around to making progress on some of the modules I bought last year. One question I have is related to the PCB mount potentiometers. Specifically, back when… I bought a pile of PCB mount pots in bulk. I went for the cheaper option, like these: ![Screenshot 2022-02-07 at 17.28.32](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/3X/1/3/13d8f8386eb15a189e28f527e5a0b36031017004.jpeg) > **[Bourns 100kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, PTV09A-4020U-B104 | RS...](https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/potentiometers/7377827?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-)** > > Buy Bourns 100kΩ Rotary Potentiometer 1-Gang Panel Mount, PTV09A-4020U-B104 . Browse our latest Potentiometers offers. Free Next Day Delivery available. However, these don’t have panel nuts or screws. I seem to recall this being brought up in a previous thread, but for the life of me I cannot find it. Before I go ahead and commit and solder these in, is it a foolish idea… and/or should I just go ahead and order the ‘proper’ Alpha pots which have got the panel screw/nut? The cost is obviously a fair bit more, but it could be worth it in the end. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![fatboab](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/fatboab/32/12330_2.png) [@fatboab](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/fatboab)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/2 "2022-02-07T17:49:44Z")
They’re trimmer POTs, I have some on the breadboard helper boards, as they don’t need screwed to anything. If you’re expecting your front panel to held on by screwing the POTs to it, then you’ll need those ‘proper’ Alpha ones… Alternatively, you could just bolt the front panel to whatever PCB, or stripboard you’re using with some standoffs, which would mean you don’t need to fork out on loads of new POTs. 🤷 ---
**Author:** ![Sonosus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/sonosus/32/13679_2.png) [@Sonosus](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Sonosus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/3 "2022-02-07T18:42:06Z")
When I use those pots I put the panel on then surround the outer pots with hot glue… Doesn’t look pretty but it works! Also not to drag this thread way off topic, but does anyone else have trouble getting those to fit in the standard Alpha pot’s KiCad footprint? The metal tabs seem to be too wide for the hole in the PCB footprints that I use. ---
**Author:** ![analogoutput](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/analogoutput/32/29663_2.png) [@analogoutput](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/analogoutput)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/4 "2022-02-07T20:33:26Z")
Bourns, cheaper than Alpha? Who knew? Depending where you’re located, though, Tayda might be a good source to use and they have these for a very low price: > **[TAYDA 100K OHM Linear Taper Potentiometer Round Shaft PCB 9mm](https://www.taydaelectronics.com/tayda-100k-ohm-linear-taper-potentiometer-round-shaft-pcb-9mm-6-35-mm.html)** > > ALPHA - Get It Fast - Same Day Shipping > [@Sonosus](#): > > Also not to drag this thread way off topic, but does anyone else have trouble getting those to fit in the standard Alpha pot’s KiCad footprint? The metal tabs seem to be too wide for the hole in the PCB footprints that I use. Alpha footprint: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/3X/7/0/70099765d368bf7a61584d2f7a34ee4754dd3b76.png) Bourns footprint: ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/lookmumnocomputer/original/3X/1/f/1f6e3d545485de01aba54d7986abff6da175ee95.png) They don’t fit because they’re not made to fit. ---
**Author:** ![unexpectedbowtie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/unexpectedbowtie/32/10648_2.png) [@unexpectedbowtie](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/unexpectedbowtie)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:55pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/5 "2022-02-07T20:55:52Z")
Thanks! Tayda is more expensive as I am in the UK. 🙂 I’ve got a ton of these Bourns style pots already… like. Hundreds. ---
**Author:** ![unexpectedbowtie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/unexpectedbowtie/32/10648_2.png) [@unexpectedbowtie](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/unexpectedbowtie)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/6 "2022-02-07T20:57:06Z")
Ohhh smart. So on the rear of the panel, right? That doesn’t seep out and interfere with the pots turning? If not I am going to give that a go… ---
**Author:** ![unexpectedbowtie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/unexpectedbowtie/32/10648_2.png) [@unexpectedbowtie](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/unexpectedbowtie)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/7 "2022-02-07T20:57:56Z")
Thanks! I am using the KOSMO Module PCBs from LMNC’s shop, so they don’t have space for standoffs. I presume I’d need to do some drilling for that to work. HmMmMm. ---
**Author:** ![fatboab](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/fatboab/32/12330_2.png) [@fatboab](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/fatboab)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 10:36pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/8 "2022-02-07T22:36:42Z")
Quite a few panels are also held on by the nuts on the jack sockets. If you look at the latest @moritzklein x Erica Synth [VCF module](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuS8slR2Ue0), it looks like that panel is _only_ held on my the socket nuts; which is probably why they are at the top and the bottom. Maybe a combination of @Sonosus’ hot glue method and the socket nuts will be enough… 🤷 ---
**Author:** ![unexpectedbowtie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/unexpectedbowtie/32/10648_2.png) [@unexpectedbowtie](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/unexpectedbowtie)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/9 "2022-02-07T22:48:31Z")
Ah, yeah. I’m in the middle of making the Safety Valve and the Performance Filter. Hmm. I might end up getting some alps just to be safe, since I’m already going to muck everything else up I am sure haha. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Farabide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecc23a/32.png) [@Farabide](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Farabide)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 12:35am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/10 "2022-02-08T00:35:03Z")
Hot glue works great, if you add a good thick wire for the ground it can also add support. You can also make a thickish cardboard backing for the panel and cut out squares for the pots to sit in … Then slather it in hot glue. ---
**Author:** ![unexpectedbowtie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/unexpectedbowtie/32/10648_2.png) [@unexpectedbowtie](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/unexpectedbowtie)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 12:48am UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/11 "2022-02-08T00:48:06Z")
Nice idea, thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Caustic](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/caustic/32/15588_2.png) [@Caustic](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/Caustic)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 12:54pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/12 "2022-02-08T12:54:55Z")
Careful with this method, the glue can easily fix the pot forever in a way where it is rendered inoperable. ---
**Author:** ![unexpectedbowtie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/unexpectedbowtie/32/10648_2.png) [@unexpectedbowtie](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/u/unexpectedbowtie)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2022, 1:06pm UTC](https://lookmumnocomputer.discourse.group/t/potentiometers-question/4616/13 "2022-02-08T13:06:10Z")
I suspect I may end up biting the bullet and just getting a pile of Alps from Thonk. There are enough variables already for me to screw things up!