I build lamps as a hobby/side business. I make them out of cigar boxes using a dimmer switch to control the bulb(s). I am using a Lutron Rotary 5-Amp Preset Dimmer, purchased from Lowes, Model D-600PH-DK. This runs to a Pass & Seymour 660W Rubb Lampholder. Everything works fine, but the problem is that the center post on the dimmer switch is generally not long enough to go through the box and into the knob, while still allowing the push on/off function. My workaround so far has been to drill a hole that is slightly larger that the knob. I want to be able to drill a hole just large enough for the dimmer post.

That all being said, I can not find a dimmer switch with a a longer post. What I have found are that potentiometer's have a long enough post for my purposes. My question is, is there a type of potentiometer I can use that will act as a light dimmer safely?

Please see an example of my lamps below.

 

Just order a same value linear pot with a plastic shaft, they often come with a longer shaft to allow a custom length.
Max.

 

Just to be clear, you can't use a pot by itself as a light dimmer, you would need to replace the pot that's in the dimmer you have.

 

Where would be best to look for one?

 

Just to be clear, you can't use a pot by itself as a light dimmer, you would need to replace the pot that's in the dimmer you have.

I concur, I may have misunderstood, I meant the pot as a replacement part in the dimmer, not a solution, in my post.
Check DigiKey.
http://www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/1623760-2/A105766-ND/2363076
Max.

 

I am a bit of a novice when it comes to this stuff. To be clear, I would have the dimmer switch still, but buy the pot separately to replace the pot installed within the dimmer switch? If that is the case, you mention getting a pot with the same value, are you referring to the amps/voltage/watts?

 

Since the pot is also a press switch, it may not be so easy to replace. I'd look for a shaft extender, or maybe this one.

And then I'd switch to using a touch-based dimmer. No knob.

 

A shaft extender is exactly what I had been looking for. The second link seems ideal, but it is way longer than needed, more than 8 inches. This gives me some good info to look into further.

 

One of the peculiar things about electronics is that, as soon as you decide to build anything besides an open board, you become a metal worker.

Everybody cuts down potentiometer shafts. Delay if you must, but it's in your future.

 

Coupler: Keystone 1453, $3.20 at Digi-Key. Also at Allied and Mouser.

Cut your own shaft from nylon or brass stock.

ak