Everything Switches

[Revan]

Hi everyone, I was hoping to start a thread where we can talk about all the different types of activation / auxiliary Switches (momentary, latching, illuminated or non illuminated) that we have seen used or would want to use, in our Sabers. Please feel free to post pictures or renders of your ideal switch concepts.

[NanoRex]

I'd love to use a sliding momentary switch in a build someday. Although my current favourite type of switch is the metal capped tactile switches that Madcow and some others use.

[girot]

I've got a set of micro switches in a 3D printed cradle that fits nicely in the center of my graflex clamp. They're a little far apart to get the full "rocking" motion for color transition but i'm fairly pleased how it's working out so far. Serious pain in the butt to wire stuff into the clamp though, lol.

http://orig01.deviantart.net/c52d/f/2015/344/e/9/switches01_by_girot-d9jpxwr.jpg

http://orig00.deviantart.net/e9a7/f/2015/329/1/4/nagb04_by_girot-d9i1cet.jpg

[xl97]

Heres a different approach posted in case it sparks ideas for others..

I made a little PCB (home brew etching.. but could easily be order to be more 'professional' looking of course)... that mounts to a slightly modified copper heatsink (legacy style)

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-004.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-009.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-012.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-013.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-015.jpg

this current use was for an MHS OBI TPM project...



Heres another approach.. (this time for a control box)


http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb-010.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb-014.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb-015.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb_part3-006.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb_part3-008.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb_part3-010.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb_part3-011.jpg

[darth_chasm]

Heres a different approach posted in case it sparks ideas for others..

I made a little PCB (home brew etching.. but could easily be order to be more 'professional' looking of course)... that mounts to a slightly modified copper heatsink (legacy style)

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-004.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-009.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-012.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-013.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/Obi_switchMount_pcb/Obi_switchMount_proto-015.jpg

this current use was for an MHS OBI TPM project...



Heres another approach.. (this time for a control box)


http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb-010.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb-014.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb-015.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb_part3-006.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb_part3-008.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb_part3-010.jpg

http://dmstudios.net/misc/controlBox_cramFu/controlBox_pcb_part3-011.jpg

Show off ;)

[darth_chasm]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a228/mditomo/AB5938E9-980D-4700-8D62-EDD688D8C55A_zpsop5qc8oq.jpg (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/mditomo/media/AB5938E9-980D-4700-8D62-EDD688D8C55A_zpsop5qc8oq.jpg.html)

[Forgetful Jedi Knight]

Show off ;)

No, it's called experimentation. It's what almost all of us use to do in the good old days.

[xl97]

lol @dc..

As FJK says.. I like to tinker around with all sorts of ideas.. see what sticks.. (what doesnt)..

this stuff is 5+ years old! I was just posting to show alternate methods/ideas, that most people dont think of. :)

[ColdVizjerei]

that control box method is sooo crash.

[hapki]

Good topic. I've been curious about how people use Box 1.

[xl97]

that control box method is sooo crash.

If crash means 'cool/good'.... then thanks! lol

I even managed to stick in a bargraph pcb on top with a window cutout of the top piece/cover

[ColdVizjerei]

If crash means 'cool/good'.... then thanks! lol


haha yeah, just watched some Young Justice so that's affected my terminology somewhat:
http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah279/coldvizjerei/Misc/SoCrash_zpshfj8cgwt.gif (http://s1382.photobucket.com/user/coldvizjerei/media/Misc/SoCrash_zpshfj8cgwt.gif.html)



I even managed to stick in a bargraph pcb on top with a window cutout of the top piece/cover


That sounds really neat! Didn't think that one could cram so much into the control box.

[Revan]

I really like that PCB disk insert idea! You could get your Switches right up there!

[Dezmodromic]

how are you guys getting the threaded aluminum section to stick to those momentary switches? I don't have any of my stuff in front of me yet for my build so I'm learning by pictures...but man, that opens up a whole lotta options...

[Ridire Fíréan]

Giving this a bump because it's AWESOME! Found this thread Googling around for AUX Switch Button ideas, and it has some good ones!

@xl97 ! Those Button PCB's are some CRAZY MAD JEDI BUSINESS right there!

Hey @Dezmodromic ! Hopefully you found an answer to your question, in the last almost 5 years, but if you haven't, here are three ways I've read about...

1. A drop of Cyanoacrylate glue.
2. A drop of E6000 glue.
3. Screw the threaded section directly onto the actuator post.


@darth_chasm mentions No.3 here...

https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=50948.0


What I would do if using glue, is to use a very small drop, and to invert the button down onto the cap. That way if you put too large a drop in the cap, the glue won't run down your actuator post and glue your switch shut.

If you're using an open ended threaded section like what xl97 showed, I would try a little grease, wax, or clay on a threaded bolt and insert it half way into the threaded section. Stand that up so that the open end was facing upwards then proceed with a very small drop of glue and invert the button down onto the thread in the same way you would for a Brass Cap.

Once your glue has cured, simply unscrew the bolt and use a Q-Tip dampened with alcohol to clean up the threads.

Good Luck on your Switches/Buttons!