Posted by Patrick Norton on 9/3/2026 to
Old Tech & Build Posts
Yes, you read that right.
Back in the old days before "fancy stuff", we had to make our own winch spools out of sewing bobbins.
...and this build was "V2". The first version was before HeyOK was making controllers.
Don't talk to me about potentiometers. I still have nightmares.
I started with a TowerPro MG946r.
Then, something that had just hit the market .... the HeyOK winch controller.
Before these controllers, servo winches hunted for center all the time. It was a serious PITA.
First step is to remove the back cover.
Then the front can pop off too, but keep it on so you don't lose the gears.
This gives you access to the servo board and potentiometer. AKA: Pot.
We are not reusing the board or pot, so go ahead and remove them with a soldering iron.
Then solder on the HeyOK controller and close the back up, but no screws just yet.
Now, pop off the front.
Remove the main gear.
Pull off the bearing.
If possible, use pliers to pull out this pin. On older servos like this, this pin is what stops the servo from spinning past the end points of the pot.
If you cannot pull the pin out ..... cut it flush with a dremel and make sure you clean up all the dust and bits VERY well.
Reinstall that main gear.
We are done inside so you can put the top on and screw it all together.
Now for the bobbin... the OG servo winch spool. Yuck.
We are going to mount the bobbin to a servo arm. It's pretty easy.
Make sure the top of your servo arm is flat. Use a dremel, file, sandpaper, etc.
I like button heads to hold the bobbin on so that the winch line doesn't hang up on it.
Servo arm drilled for M3.
Attach the bobbin to the arm and cut off the excess servo arm
Attach your creation to your servo.
If your bobbin does not have a hole, drill one
Slide your winch line in.
Tie a knot so it cannot slide back out.
I tied it around a spacer so I would not have to make a billion knots.
There are better ways but it worked out eventually.
That is it!
Spool your line on and go have some fun.
Test Video:
We do sell HeyOK servo controllers.
There are so many regular servos out there with bad boards, etc... so you can just convert them:
Servo Programmers, Controllers & Boards
We also sell winch spools so no need to mess with a bobbin!
Servo Arms & Spools
Or buy one of our ready made versions:
Servo Winches
Thanks for reading,
-Patrick "Locked Up" Norton
Back in the old days before "fancy stuff", we had to make our own winch spools out of sewing bobbins.
...and this build was "V2". The first version was before HeyOK was making controllers.
Don't talk to me about potentiometers. I still have nightmares.
I started with a TowerPro MG946r.
Then, something that had just hit the market .... the HeyOK winch controller.
Before these controllers, servo winches hunted for center all the time. It was a serious PITA.
First step is to remove the back cover.
Then the front can pop off too, but keep it on so you don't lose the gears.
This gives you access to the servo board and potentiometer. AKA: Pot.
We are not reusing the board or pot, so go ahead and remove them with a soldering iron.
Then solder on the HeyOK controller and close the back up, but no screws just yet.
Now, pop off the front.
Remove the main gear.
Pull off the bearing.
If possible, use pliers to pull out this pin. On older servos like this, this pin is what stops the servo from spinning past the end points of the pot.
If you cannot pull the pin out ..... cut it flush with a dremel and make sure you clean up all the dust and bits VERY well.
Reinstall that main gear.
We are done inside so you can put the top on and screw it all together.
Now for the bobbin... the OG servo winch spool. Yuck.
We are going to mount the bobbin to a servo arm. It's pretty easy.
Make sure the top of your servo arm is flat. Use a dremel, file, sandpaper, etc.
I like button heads to hold the bobbin on so that the winch line doesn't hang up on it.
Servo arm drilled for M3.
Attach the bobbin to the arm and cut off the excess servo arm
Attach your creation to your servo.
If your bobbin does not have a hole, drill one
Slide your winch line in.
Tie a knot so it cannot slide back out.
I tied it around a spacer so I would not have to make a billion knots.
There are better ways but it worked out eventually.
That is it!
Spool your line on and go have some fun.
Test Video:
We do sell HeyOK servo controllers.
There are so many regular servos out there with bad boards, etc... so you can just convert them:
Servo Programmers, Controllers & Boards
We also sell winch spools so no need to mess with a bobbin!
Servo Arms & Spools
Or buy one of our ready made versions:
Servo Winches
Thanks for reading,
-Patrick "Locked Up" Norton
