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View Full Version : Have you found a better switch?



vortextwist
01-18-2007, 04:48 PM
I just can't seem to find anything that is low profile and push on- push off type switch.

LordArgyll
01-18-2007, 05:00 PM
The ones that Tim offers are the lowest profile that I've seen. The latching mechanisms otherwise just seem to be a bit bulky.

01-18-2007, 05:07 PM
The switch that I used on my MHS saber come in both momentary and latching. The diameter is kinda big, but they are completely flat anti-vandal switches. The bezel is 18 mm OD, and the threads are 16 mm OD. Check it out in the MHS section. If you like it I may be able to hook you up.

vortextwist
01-18-2007, 05:25 PM
that's a push on- push off type isn't it? I may have to try them. I want to make a set of dual sabers.

01-18-2007, 05:31 PM
The one that is on the saber is a momentary because it has a Hasbro card pushing my LED. I also have the latching push on/push off for the MR cards in the exact same style.

vortextwist
01-18-2007, 05:54 PM
cool

xwingband
01-18-2007, 06:00 PM
For latching switches it doesn't get much smaller unfortunately.

For momentaries it they can be piss ant small. I like slides when I can too. Slides can be really small.

vortextwist
01-18-2007, 06:16 PM
ya kind of figured that. I just want something that won't get in the way.

01-18-2007, 07:13 PM
Xwing,

Can you point me in the direction of some really small, sturdy sliders?

Thanks.

james3
01-20-2007, 07:15 AM
There are several places that have switches the best thing is to do a search and find what you like.

The switches that Tim sells are kinda hard to beat for a pushbutton though. The are rugged, and if you set a stack of washers under the hilt you can set it pretty low.

I admit though I am a slider guy too.

vortextwist
01-20-2007, 07:42 AM
ya, I like the slider also but I am getting to like a rotary type switch (darth maul's) I put that setup in my saber. I seen a place that sells a switch kind of like what is in the MR's. I will search for it again and post it.

edit: here is the small one's like in the MR's I think.
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/SSW-37/700/DPDT_SLIDE_SWITCH_.html

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/SSW-42/700/SPDT_MINI-SLIDE_SWITCH,_RT.ANGLE,_PC_MT_.html

I think this is where tim gets his. (he should their cheap)
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/PB-21/700/SPST_PUSHBUTTON,_PUSH_ON_PUSH_OFF_.html

james3
01-20-2007, 07:50 AM
The switch on the Maul is a slider. There is just a piece used to connect the knob to the slider.

I did a 4 way rotory switch on a RGB that was pretty cool.

There are lots of fun with switches.

vortextwist
01-20-2007, 08:14 AM
Ya I know it was a slider. I basically did this to put it into my hilt.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/vortextwist/light%20saber%20pics/IM000070.jpg
I just screwed the board onto the switch side.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/vortextwist/light%20saber%20pics/IM000063.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/vortextwist/light%20saber%20pics/MikesLightsaber1.jpg

SilentBob501
01-20-2007, 10:09 AM
Where could I get a mechanism like in the maul saber to use the slider as a turn knob?

vortextwist
01-20-2007, 10:11 AM
I don't know, I havn't found anything like that except in a maul, that's why I gutted it. I havn't found an rotary switch that was small enough.

Lord Maul
01-20-2007, 10:17 AM
Where could I get a mechanism like in the maul saber to use the slider as a turn knob?

just look for trashed mauls on ebay and take out that switch mechanism. otherwise it would be really hard with how all of that plastic is formed

vortextwist
01-20-2007, 10:31 AM
ya but trashed mauls are hard to find.

SilentBob501
01-20-2007, 11:58 AM
Very Hard.

vortextwist
01-20-2007, 11:58 AM
I was lucky when I got mine for 40$

LordArgyll
01-20-2007, 12:10 PM
Where could I get a mechanism like in the maul saber to use the slider as a turn knob?

You could probably fabricate one with a bit of creative plastic cutting.

SilentBob501
01-20-2007, 01:14 PM
vortex can we get a clearer photo of that switch mechanism, cuz i want to try to make one.

01-20-2007, 01:27 PM
Vortex,

What is the largest OD for the bezel and threads that you can get away with on your project. I'll look through all of my switches and help you out if I have one small enough.

vortextwist
01-20-2007, 01:30 PM
this is about the clearest one I got with out taking it apart. next time I do i will get some.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/vortextwist/light%20saber%20pics/IM000062.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/vortextwist/light%20saber%20pics/IM000069.jpg
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i259/vortextwist/light%20saber%20pics/IM000070.jpg

Warlord
02-16-2007, 09:47 PM
I made a switch using a micro momentary switch and an led holder. The Led holder protects the switch from accidentally being pressed. It's pretty sweet looking, I'll have to get some pics of it when I get a chance.

Warlord
02-17-2007, 09:51 AM
Ok, pic:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/turbogt22/Fett/tn_DSC01258.jpg

vortextwist
02-17-2007, 09:58 AM
cool, very cool

Firebird21
02-17-2007, 11:02 AM
Very innovative. I should try that.

Lord Maul
02-17-2007, 11:13 AM
could you post a pic ofhow you mounted it? i still don't quite get that :(

vortextwist
02-17-2007, 11:20 AM
looks like he just screwed the top part onto the switch

Warlord
02-17-2007, 04:23 PM
looks like he just screwed the top part onto the switch

No, it wasn't quite that easy. If you look at the pic:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/turbogt22/Fett/tn_DSC01258.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/turbogt22/Fett/tn_DSC01264.jpg

Notice the momentary switch mounts from the inside and the LED Holder mounts from the outside.

So to get the LED 'bezel' to work I cut off the threads and ground them flush on the bottom. I then clamped the bezel and enlarged the opening just enough to allow the button to fit through. I then used a pencil tip to help me align the bezel and nut and just CA glued them together. The final product was also "polished" with the spongy blue dremel attatchment (it's like a super fine emory).

The end result is an LED Holder 'bezel nut'

I also made the extra LED holder match by taking the nut from the cut up holder and screwing it all the way on from the bottom and CA gluing it in place. Then I just polished it up the same. Now I have a button and an LED holder that when mounted on a lightsaber should look aesthetically pleasing.

I haven't gotton very far on my (wife's) lightsaber because I'm pretty distracted working on my scratchbuild Fett bucket:
http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17550

Novastar
04-26-2007, 03:03 AM
Great work on the switch, Warlord! The Fett helm too!

I actually was eyeing those low-level LED holders at RS today... it made me think "hmmm..." -- but I rarely use pushbuttons... I prefer latching switches. Actually a very particular "Submini Slide Switch" with the following:

1. Nice long switch head--which can be cut down to size as needed (you only need to worry about cutting into the little spring if you go WAY down)

2. Pre-threaded holes on switch body for the mounting screws (which are small, but long)

3. Mounts from the INSIDE. This may sound sucky, but believe me, it will save space, time, and really help to recess your switch and prevent it from taking damage. Also, you need only drill two small holes for the screws and a rectangular cavity for your switch head. No threading needed! You don't even need a quick-disconnect for your switch this way.

4. Extremely low-profile. I haven't seen any switches that are smaller.

5. Extremely durable. Actually, I *HAVE* found a slightly smaller switch, but it will fall apart very quickly, and I've found it to be unreliable. In BOP I, the padawan saber failed because of it!!!! These switches have yet to give me a problem on durability.

I realize you all probably already know about simple latching switches for on/off stuff, but you can really go far with them if you just have some fun with them:

http://ns5driver.com/NovaSaber/Dscn2742.jpg

I cannibalized that "plate" part from a champagne bottle. You could literally use anything that strikes your fancy though.

You can even use "drawer handle" knobs and get creative. I'll be mounting one of those on Flange 3 here for the recharge port coverplate...