I am using a couple of Radiohm 470Ω Rotary Potentiometers 1-Gang Panel Mount for a demo, and although they work fine, I am not sure how to keep them securely attached to the rest of the project. As you can see, the potentiometers are only holding on the board via their pins, so they wobble a lot (first 3 from the left). Additionally, I also tried using a connector (the one on the right), but then the potentiometer is hanging around the boards. Anyone has any ideas how I can attach it securely? It doesn't have to be done professionally.

 

They're panel mount. Make a panel.

 

They're panel mount. Make a panel.

Would you have an idea how to make or where to buy such a panel from?

 

Facing a similar dilemma, I went hard and built a little breakout box for up to nine pots and a few other components. There's a custom PCB inside that simply exposes each lug via a standard pin header.

I haven't actually had a chance to use it yet... I hope it works.

 

Facing a similar dilemma, I went hard and built a little breakout box for up to nine pots and a few other components. There's a custom PCB inside that simply exposes each lug via a standard pin header.

I haven't actually had a chance to use it yet... I hope it works.

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Honestly that looks like the right way to do it, they also look like they should be used that way. I will certainly not have time to go to this level for my project on saturday.

 

You can buy small squares of ⅛" or plastic at the dollar (pound?) store or hobby store. Score and snap it to size, drill holes in it (use one side of a pair of scissors as a reamer if you don't have a big enough bit and attach it to side edge of the breadboard with hot melt glue.

Foam-core or even heavy poster board would work too if you have a delicate touch.

 

I will certainly not have time to go to this level for my project on saturday.

In the interim, any sort of somewhat stiff material will suffice. A cardboard box? A piece of scrap aluminum you can bend into an L shape? Really, anything that you can put a few holes in and will support the weight of the pots will do the trick.

 

I use double sided tape, carpet tape, or blue tac and stick it on the bottom of the pot. Then I simply stand the pot upright on something solid.

 

Breadboards are available with panels for mounting such things.
This is just the first one I found: Breadboard

 

In the interim, any sort of somewhat stiff material will suffice. A cardboard box? A piece of scrap aluminum you can bend into an L shape? Really, anything that you can put a few holes in and will support the weight of the pots will do the trick.

I found a harder box and used it to support all my potentiometers. Thanks schluppy for the suggestion, not as cool as your box, but still took me 4-5 hours to make. It was quite enjoyable though, and now it looks much better.