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Ryma Mara
12-31-2006, 08:03 PM
I found some switched but don't know enough about them to know if any will work. they are the anti-vandle type ones towards the bottom. Which one of these will work, would like it to be as flush as possible with the hilt.

http://www.action-electronics.com/switches.htm#Push

xwingband
12-31-2006, 08:27 PM
They won't be flush... they're HUGE!!!

Anti-vandal switches are always large because they have to take a beating. If you read carefully they are 19 ans 22mm. 25mm = 1 inch

The second ones are better, but I don't even see where to buy them. Based on the 16mm top they are pretty deep. That'll pretty much block of that part of the hilt and you won't be able to put anything other than the wires.

Ryma Mara
12-31-2006, 08:37 PM
Ok well I read the number compleatly wrong.

or my brothers caliper was messd up or something. Thanks X.

01-01-2007, 07:03 AM
That is the same switch that I have in the pommel of my Sith saber. The threaded portion is cut to 16mm.

I also put one in the center section of another MHS section. The only thing is you need to make sure that is the switch that you're going to keep, cuase making it sit flush makes the hole like 7/8, and nothing else will fit in it, except another huge switch.

vortextwist
01-01-2007, 08:10 AM
do they make small ones like that so they sit flush?

LordArgyll
01-01-2007, 10:40 AM
Not the anti-vandal switches. They're huge because they're heavy-duty and there's a lot of metal in them. They're used largely for outdoor applications... elevator door buttons and whatnot.

I doubt you can get any pushbutton switch to set truly flush... they're designed to mount into flat panels after all, not curved tubes.

Ryma Mara
01-01-2007, 11:35 AM
Sometime lastnight I was having the hardest time trying to find a rotating Micro switch like the "style" used for the maul FX.

An if I do find one its huge and I mean huge!

xwingband
01-01-2007, 11:59 AM
Have you tried looking through catalogs like Mouser and Digikey?

I've found fantastic switches through them before.

Ryma Mara
01-01-2007, 12:08 PM
I shal go search them and see what I can find.

Thanks X

01-01-2007, 01:01 PM
Hey Ryma, the switches that you ask me about are too tall for the MHS. You can do a homemade rotating switch for nothing out of a plastic or delrin bezel. I made one like this in a few mins for free. The trick is to make sure that you have enough lead inside the bezel to be trapped between the screw and the bottom of the bezel, but short enough that they will not touch each other. Another thing is that you may want to tap the bezel 1mm smaller so that the screw is super tight.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o118/NCKFisto/Rotatingswitch.jpg

Ryma Mara
01-01-2007, 01:04 PM
Thanks NC

xwingband
01-01-2007, 01:15 PM
Eventually wouldn't that mess up the wires? If you look I bet you can find appropriate ones from where I suggested.

I've found tons of great slides that are the same size or smaller than the MR ones. In fact I love the one I installed in my graflex. It has a longer stride and thus feels better to push.

vortextwist
01-01-2007, 01:41 PM
a guy one the jedi assembly had a walkthrough of when he built his brass saber and he used a pull chain types switch like they use in ceiling fans, check it out.

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/brasssaber/index.html

01-01-2007, 02:18 PM
Xwing, I slathered both leads with solder. I guess I should have mentioned that. I'm not having much luck navigating that catalog. I'll check it later when I can concentrate.

Ryma, in case you want to use that anti-vandal switch, here is how it sets in the MHS. Its flush at the top and bottom, but leaves a small gap on the sides. I'm going to try to bend the bezel into shape to fill it in.


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o118/NCKFisto/switch.jpg

Ryma Mara
01-01-2007, 02:22 PM
Sweet NC I am so gonna use them, but for which saber design.

AHHRG!

I wander how that switch would look on a sinktube?

01-01-2007, 02:30 PM
I think it would look even better on a sink tube because you would be able to pry up the edges of the hole to get rid of that gap......

Ryma Mara
01-01-2007, 02:32 PM
sweetness. thanks

01-01-2007, 03:01 PM
heres a pic that shows the depth of that same switch........good luck.



http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o118/NCKFisto/switch2.jpg

Ryma Mara
01-01-2007, 04:12 PM
Oh yeah thats what iam talking about.

I need to write that one down. that switch is so getting used on this saber.

EDIT: Which anti vandal switch did you use? The Switch Number?

01-01-2007, 04:56 PM
These are the ones that I bought.....decent price for a 3 pack. The store is in China, but it only took them 11 days to get it to me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3pcs-Car-Brass-Momentary-Push-Button-ON-OFF-Switch-16FN_W0QQitemZ290065675296QQihZ019QQcategoryZ58166 QQcmdZViewItem

Ryma Mara
01-01-2007, 10:48 PM
Thanks a bunch NC.

Ryma Mara
02-08-2007, 09:46 AM
I have a question, how would I get a maglight flashlight switch to work? I have never taken one apart really except to change the batteries or fix the bulb.

02-08-2007, 10:51 AM
I'm guessing that the switch would look like any other. Positive and negative post out, latching type. Just to make sure you might want to pm some of the guys that made Maglite sabers. I think there are a couple in the custom gallery.

Man, now you have me wanting to take my Maglite apart.

Ryma Mara
02-08-2007, 01:44 PM
I wish I had a maglight to take apart.

02-08-2007, 02:54 PM
My wife is going out with the girls tonight so with my son crawling all over I probably wont get a chance to check out that switch. I think I have an old one lying around at work that I can break down, instead of possibly breaking the one that I have at home. I'll try to post a pic or two tomorrow.

Ryma Mara
02-08-2007, 03:11 PM
Thanks a bunch for helping me with the switches KF.

spongerd82
02-20-2007, 08:33 AM
Hi, For anyone who has done a led graflex, do you think this switch (http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/MPB-136/700325/TACTILE_PUSHBUTTON_SWITCH,_SURFACE-MOUNT_.html) would work. or something similar to it. I do not have the flash gun yet. As soon as the irs gets on the ball, I will have one. I am just wondering if it will fit inside the groove on Tim's graflex blade holder. And if it will work under the red push button of the graflex. I do not know how the graflex button works. Thanks in advance.

xwingband
02-20-2007, 08:40 AM
It'll work fine. Like I said in PMs I have a few tactiles. That is about the size to fit easily in the groove. I'm not sure on height for that one but 5-7 mm works well.

They would work in a graflex because the button is just that, the button. You can mount a switch under it.

Marsupial
02-20-2007, 10:58 AM
On the matter of switches, I'd like to show off this latest of mine, I think some people might find the technique usefull.

I'm slowly transforming my King Sol into a fully equipped (read buttered toasted) saber, and one of the issue was the switch (or lack of space for one)


Starting with a small square switch I got from APEM, but its the exact same model you can scavenge from VCRs or other dead equipment.

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo7_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo7.jpg)

as you can see I folded its tabs so it will fit in the blade socket area - I have about no room in there.

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo8_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo8.jpg)

It still goes out, but that's what we want - there's going to be something over it and the switch needs to still be accessible.

A friend of mine molded a bit of his anakin rubies saber - playdoh mould, dollar store epoxy for the material
http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo9_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo9.jpg)
nice start - only need a little work.

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo10_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo10.jpg)
cut the piece in the proper place
http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo11_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo11.jpg)
first hole. One thing most saber makers should learn to do is pierce and tap holes - no need for bolts when the hilt is taped to hold bolts in place. A tap handle is about 10$ and the drill bit / tab is about 10$ as well... but the result is a lot more impressive and its a lot more enjoyable. I see it as an investment. I used 4/40 bolts in there.

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo12_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo12.jpg)
here's the hole for the switch. You might think its ugly, but there's a plan!!

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo13_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo13.jpg)
I scavanged a rubber button from a dollar store LED flashlight. you most likely could get a smaller one from a dollar store laser pointer ^_^

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo15_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo15.jpg)
2nd hole, 2nd tapped hole in the hilt, 2nd 4/40 bolt... holds in place nicely and strongly.

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo17_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo17.jpg)
Ok, its not straight, I'll have to work on that. I should really get a drill press. Anyway, it gives you more ideas of things you can do for your lightsaber switches.

Hope someone finds this info useful.

Firebird21
02-20-2007, 11:04 AM
That's awsome Mars. That gives me many ideas for one of my sabers that I'm having issues trying to locate a switch.

Marsupial
02-22-2007, 01:55 PM
Just wanted to give an updated image of my switch holder.

http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo18_small.jpg (http://yanlauzon.ifastnet.com/images/starwars/SabreBleu/photo18.jpg)

Changed the lower bolt to a larger 8/32 one, repositionned the whole thing (its simetrical now) and made a weathering job.

Angelus Lupus
02-22-2007, 02:00 PM
Nice, that switch looks easy to use, but hard to accidentaly push while swinging the saber around. Love the weathering, makes it look ancient and used (and possibly mis-used too)

Ryma Mara
02-22-2007, 04:50 PM
HAy mars, got a question. How did you make that rotory switch out of a pullchain switch? and how much space does it take up?

Marsupial
02-22-2007, 10:57 PM
Angelus you are right, its OK to switch ON, but just recessed ennough to be hard to accidentally hit off. Plus the switch mecanism makes that the switch is lower when ON then when OFF (does this sentence makes sense? it click low to stay on, clicks back out to get OFF??)
anyway, you really need to stick your finger in the hole to turn it off. Can't wait to have a buttered toast to try it out.

I tried to weather it so it looks like its been used, abused and misused for years, so I take it as a compliment :D
I like it just a lot more since its weathered. All-black looked "fair ennough" but the weathering makes it up to the next level.


Ryma: its not a rotary switch, its a set screw I made with the pull chain switch. If I've indicate otherwise anywhere, please let me know where so I can correct it.
I didn't explore the rotary switches yet... maybe I should, I liked how it felt to (literally) TURN ON the Maul sabers.
My guess would be to check rotary switches at the switch makers. I think even RatShack have some rotative selector that could be small ennough.

Ryma Mara
02-22-2007, 11:12 PM
Oh ok, I dont know for some reasion my brother seemed to think it was a switch that you made from that pull chain thing.

But yeah ratshack here dosent have rotorys.

I look online but there all for industreal stuff.

darthdan
02-23-2007, 02:34 AM
Last time I was at an ACE hardware store, they had a much bigger selection of switches than I figured they would. Including a key turn switch. I was so tempted... But you might check there

LordArgyll
02-23-2007, 08:43 AM
Most rotary switches are inconveniently big for saber work. You can do what MR did for the Maul and just rig an actuator for a regular slide switch. Could probably build one up out of styrene sheet.

neophyl
02-23-2007, 10:36 AM
eYah most rotary switches are around 30mm across inside the sabre. Ive used one before on a hilt and while they are reliable with a very positive action they take up too much room.

Ive just ordered a potentiometer that also has a built in switch to compare sizes as it looks a bit smaller and I can just use the switch part of it.