Hi Volks:

The most common way to remedy a worn-out AFM, is to remove the circuit board containing the resistive track - and slightly "slot" the screw holes.

This allows the circuit board to be repositioned slightly when put back in - thus allowing the wiper to sit on fresh resistive surface.

Today, I thought of a much easier way to accomplish the same goal.

Remove the screws holding the circuit board down - and we will "operate" on those, instead of the circuit board.

Our goal here is to make a portion of the screw's "thread shaft" narrower - instead of making the circuit board holes larger. Then when we put the screws back in, there is some play in the position of the board - which is exactly what we want.

So, get the dremel, or a small file, and operate on the area of the screw shaft, to a distance down from the screw head,  about the thickness of the circuit board. Don't go too far, or the screws won't have threads to screw in.

I guess in case you mess up, it'd be handy to have some replacement screws around.

Messing up screws sure beats messing up the circuit board - who's got spares of THAT?

Now, I called this procedure "Method 2". While I was writing it - I thought of "Method 3" - which is even easier than Method 2.

Any guesses how it would work?

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy

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