Maestro control drag

Jim · May 11

Im loving my Flex 6400 and Maestro, except for one detail. All of the knobs are extremely loose. By that I mean there is little or no drag or friction when operating the controls making it really east to inadvertently bump the knobs thereby changing settings. Is there any way to increase the drag on the controls?

Jim Garland · September 19

[{"insert":"It's easy to use a felt washer to minimize the tendency of the concentric knobs to interact with each other. I used 1/2 inch felt furniture pads from Home Depot and punched a small hole (about 1/4 in) hole in the center of each knob to turn them into washers. Then remove the rubber grips on each pair of concentric knobs and use a 5/64\" allen key to remove both the inner and outer knobs. The washer goes next to the panel, in front of the larger knob. Slide the larger knob onto its shaft until you have the desired pressure against the felt, and tighten the allen screw. Then attach and tighten the smaller knob to the inside shaft, leaving enough clearance to prevent the knobs from rubbing. Reinstall the rubber grips and you're done. This could be done easily at the factory in about a minute per knob. BTW, I was pleased to discover the knobs are actually nicely machined metal, but the absence of friction gives them a cheap plastic feel.\n"}]

KD0RC · May 11

Hi Jim, I don't think there is an adjustment. One thing manufacturers used to do in the old days was to put a thick felt pad behind the controls. If it is thick enough, (but not so thick that it puts strain on the control) it will induce drag. It would take some experimentation, but could probably be made to work. The controls on the Flex are encoders, not potentiometers, so care has to be taken not to push or pull them too much in the quest for the right amount of drag.

73,
Len, KD0RC

Chris Tate - N6WM · May 11

these are encoders that are simulating **** behavior.. you may be able to get creative with felt or other solutions.. but it sort of is what it is.. if you come up with a good solution to add some drag either with felt or whatever to give a more legacy radio feel.. please share.

Bill -VA3WTB · May 11

As Chris mentioned, there are felt washers that you can insert behind the dial. then when you put the dial back on adjust it against the washer.

Jim · May 11

Thanks for the reply.

John - K3MA · May 11

Source for vintage radio knob felt washers if you did not want to make your own. I suspect the knob shafts are not long enough to support very much thickness of felt behind the knob.

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/washer-025-inside-diameter-felt

and in Canada

https://www.radiodaze.com/search.php?search_query=felt

Jim · May 11

Thanks, John. I ordered some and will try it out.

Maestro control drag

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