A Way To Repair A Broken Switch On Ferret Finder

[lifelong cumbrian 1,826]

I was repairing a couple of ferret finder switches as i have done before with good success. I thought i would take a few pics as i went along. The switches on the deben grey boxes are not the best, i have had a few break on me over the years. The hard plastic switch drive can break causing the switch not to work. I found it impossible to get replacement switches so i fix them myself. First of all i get a bit of metal about 2mm think. I draw on the diameter using a compass or dividers if you have them. A pound coin is just slightly bigger but would be good enough to mark around. I used a piece of brass and a piece of stainless steel. I marked on diameter, roughed it out with a hacksaw then filed it until it fit nicely into the inside of the switch. I then marked the drive on and drilled and filed it out using needle files. I then opened the middle of the switch out with a drill. Next step was to araldite the flat plate into the switch. Leave over night to harden. I then made a couple of very thin big washers, i used the battery spade connections out of a old torch. As you are putting 2mm sheet behind the switch you need to widen the slot on the grey box, i used flat and round files. If the depth marks are still good on the switch you can place the drive in the correct position as you araldite it in. To do this place the drive on the switch assembly in the off position and mark with a black marker. As the depth gages on mine were worn i bought replacements off ebay. You just need to assemble and then put on the sticker in the correct off position. There may be other ways of doing this, but this is what i do, after it is finished it should never be a problem again. Hope you can understand my waffling.

 

 

 

 

Put araldite in switch and push plate in, leave over night to harden.

 

Slot marked to widen

 

set switch on drive and screw down with washer you have made

 

Stick on new depth sticker.

 

 

 

[lifelong cumbrian 1,826]

The washer

 

[dustyj 63]

Can you recalibrate them by any chance mate.

[lifelong cumbrian 1,826]

No sorry mate, don't know how to do that. Someone on here does it, can't remember who.

[dustyj 63]

Oh well worth a try.if you remember who does let me know mate much appreciated

[darbo 4,774]

Oh well worth a try.if you remember who does let me know mate much appreciated

David arthurs have a look on the pinned post on calibrating mk1 ferret finders on this section.

[dustyj 63]

I've tried phoning a few time mate but no joy

[ruggers13 268]

where do you get the stickers from for the wheel ? n yeah im looking for someone to recalibrate mine too

[lifelong cumbrian 1,826]

Get stickers off ebay

[ruggers13 268]

I've tried phoning a few time mate but no joy

hi pal ive just sent him a pm n hes got back to me straight away send him one see if he gets in touch

[dustyj 63]

Cheers riggers.nice one

[ruggers13 268]

Cheers riggers.nice one

no worries pal

[Arry 21,441]

Good fix mate thanks for sharing with us.

 

Does anybody have or know where I can get the trimer resistor that has 100 written on it. it is a adjustable resistor there are 2 on the board and are different values, these adjust the distance but it is tricky.

 

Cheers Arry

[Fly The Boy 339]

Great job, would you know where I can get the small screw for the wheel....

[lifelong cumbrian 1,826]

No pal, thats why i opened the hole out in the plastic and made a thin washer. If i had a longer screw i would the left the plastic as it was and put in the longer screw. Looking into it though, will post when i find out. ATB.