How to remove a Tron spinner knob without wrecking it please

[shrunkenmaster]

I've just acquired a Tron control panel that needs disassembly but I'm stuck with the spinner knob. It has (I think) a hex screwhole on the side of the knob; I've tried a 1.5mm hex key (too small) and a 2mm hex key (too big).

Anyone managed this without screwing it up?

By the way, I'll have the bare CP available afterwards as I'm making a Tron Mini and this panel will be too wide. Let me know if anyone's interested.

[HaRuMaN]

Have you tried a 1/16 or a 5/64?  Should be one of the two.

[Hoopz]

I asked this question a few years ago.  Here's the best answer:

The knob itself is held on by a roll pin.
You have to punch it out of there.
I've never had to do that though, so I don't know how easy it is to get it back into place afterward.

I personally wouldn't mess with it.
If you undo the other end of the shaft, it will slide out of the bushing.

You definitely don't want to take the knob off. 

[RandyT]

A roll pin is just piece of spring steel rolled in a tube form with a gap down the length to allow it to compress.

As long as there is an exit on the other side for it to come out, it can probably just be tapped through.  Replacing it would mean just tapping it into place again. 

The biggest challenge would be finding something the correct diameter to use as a punch.  If you can find something narrow enough to get the pin half way out the other side, you could grab it with some pliers.

The key will be making sure that you don't damage anything in the process.  But if you are careful, you should be ok.

RandyT

[shrunkenmaster]

Wow, three replies in the space it took to take the dog round the block! Will let you know how it goes...

[shrunkenmaster]

I asked this question a few years ago.  Here's the best answer:

The knob itself is held on by a roll pin.
You have to punch it out of there.
I've never had to do that though, so I don't know how easy it is to get it back into place afterward.

I personally wouldn't mess with it.
If you undo the other end of the shaft, it will slide out of the bushing.

You definitely don't want to take the knob off. 

Thanks Hoopz! How easy was THAT eh?! 

[Hoopz]

I asked this question a few years ago.  Here's the best answer:

The knob itself is held on by a roll pin.
You have to punch it out of there.
I've never had to do that though, so I don't know how easy it is to get it back into place afterward.

I personally wouldn't mess with it.
If you undo the other end of the shaft, it will slide out of the bushing.

You definitely don't want to take the knob off. 

Thanks Hoopz! How easy was THAT eh?! 

Don't thank me.  Thank Noone cause it was his post that helped me.

Glad you got it though!  Are you using this for Mame or using the game PCB to play?

[shrunkenmaster]

Making a Tron Mini/Cabaret. All I have so far is a full-size Tron CPO with spinner, plus a Xenophobe stick that I've adapted with Encryptor's Tron restrictor. Also have a new spinner optical board from Fixemdude for Optipac hookup. Gonna be a slow build as I have household DIY chores to complete, boo!