Yes John, I’ve been thru this exercise, about four years ago. I’ve recoated the wire wound resistor and replace damaged contacts in side the case. I had to make my own semi-tubular rivet to reassemble the case, because they're not a stock hardware item from any of the rivet suppliers.
As you've already discovered you can’t use epoxies or super glues, because the temps are simply to high. I found a high temperature ceramic at
http://www.sauereisen.com/ . I bought a sample pack (Trial Order Kit)of their materials, which are made for this kind of application. They are quite expensive and only have a shelf life of about a year. But I wanted to see if it could be done, it can! I tried to buy a bunch of cores to rebuild, saving them from the junk heap but I couldn't find anyone that would sell me junk switches for a reasonable price. Good luck.
Look at the last few pictures of this album if you care to see the project:
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/electrical&page=all Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
