Replacement Diskette Lever for Tandon TM848 8" floppy disk drive

[Andrew Lynch]

Hi,

Several years ago I bought a WaveMate Bullet with dual 8" floppy drives.  One of those drives has a broken Diskette Lever (the little handle in front of the drive to lower the heads and lock the diskette in place).

I am looking to repair the broken Diskette Lever.  My first choice is a replacement from a scrap and/or salvage TM848 drive.  Does anyone have one they'd be willing to sell?  I would like to discuss with you if so.

Another possibility is recreating the part using a 3D printer.  The Diskette Lever is more than just a knob since it has a small spring mechanism to apply pressure to the diskette when closed.  Fortunately, I have the original broken Diskette Lever as a model and another unbroken TM848 to examine.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to repair this broken Tandon TM848 drive?  It would be great if there is a source of repair parts available but considering the age of the unit (approximately 40 years old), that seems unlikely.

I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on the topic.  Thank you in advance, Andrew Lynch

Merovingian: Choice is an illusion created between those with power and those without.

[T Gerbic]

If you are not too concerned about a real vintage recreation, look for one of the old switch knobs that look like the old DD levers. Probably more 50s or 60s usage. 

[Andrew Lynch]

Hi

I think I know what you're referring too... the old potentiometer knobs which connect to a D shaped metal shaft?

Unfortunately, the Tandon TM848 Diskette Lever connects to a metal shaft to accept a machine screw and both sides of the shaft trimmed flat.

It is a really unique connection between the Diskette Lever and the shaft.

Also, the Diskette Lever itself has a spring mechanism that's activated by a cam to put pressure on the diskette while it is closed.

I would like to repair this original TM848 rather than replace the whole thing, but finding one of these Diskette Levers is going to be a challenge.

I do have all the parts of the original Diskette Lever and am considering using super glue to weld the broken pieces together.  However, I rather doubt it will be strong or durable enough for much usage.

If anyone has a TM848 spare Diskette Lever they can part with or a scrap/salvage drive, please let me know.

Thanks!  Andrew Lynch

Merovingian: Choice is an illusion created between those with power and those without.

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[Wayne Hortensius]

I took a look at a TM65-2L on the shelf here and naturally it has a
different lever than the TM848. No flats on the shaft, no machine
screw, but a perpendicular metal rod screwed into the side of the main
shaft and the plastic lever is a friction fit over the end of the shaft
and perpendicular rod.

If you're going to go the glue route, I'd try Plastruct Plastic Weld
first rather than CA.

Regards,
Wayne

On Tue, 9 Dec 2025 19:26:09 +0000 (UTC)
"'Andrew Lynch' via retro-comp" <retro...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

> HiI think I know what you're referring too... the old potentiometer

> knobs which connect to a D shaped metal shaft? Unfortunately, the
> Tandon TM848 Diskette Lever connects to a metal shaft to accept a
> machine screw and both sides of the shaft trimmed flat. It is a
> really unique connection between the Diskette Lever and the shaft.
> Also, the Diskette Lever itself has a spring mechanism that's
> activated by a cam to put pressure on the diskette while it is
> closed. I would like to repair this original TM848 rather than
> replace the whole thing, but finding one of these Diskette Levers is
> going to be a challenge. I do have all the parts of the original
> Diskette Lever and am considering using super glue to weld the broken
> pieces together.  However, I rather doubt it will be strong or
> durable enough for much usage. If anyone has a TM848 spare Diskette
> Lever they can part with or a scrap/salvage drive, please let me
> know. Thanks!  Andrew Lynch
>
>
> Merovingian: Choice is an illusion created between those with power
> and those without.
>
> On Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 05:41:24 PM EST, T Gerbic
> <tge...@gmail.com> wrote:
> If you are not too concerned about a real vintage recreation, look
> for one of the old switch knobs that look like the old DD levers.
> Probably more 50s or 60s usage. 
>
> On Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 10:15:31 AM UTC-8 lyn...@yahoo.com
> wrote:
>

> Hi,Several years ago I bought a WaveMate Bullet with dual 8" floppy