Leaf Buttons from Wico

[etumor]

I am attempting to mount leaf switches in a metal control panel.  I ordered "short" leaf switches, button holder assemblies, and pal nuts from Wico.  When I got them, I immediately knew there was a problem.  When I attempt to mount the buttons to the holders (through the CP), the way that the button is shaped (rounded on the bottom) prevents the holder from sitting flush against the control panel.  It is obvious to me that a "spacer" is needed to fill the gap.  When I went back to Wico's catalog, I couldn't find such a spacer.  They have something called a "distance washer," but it doesn't look thick enough to me to work.

Below is the catalog page with the parts I am using.  What am I missing to mount these properly in a metal cp?

It says that the "distance washer" is Approx 5/32" thick, which is clearly not thick enough.  Is this just a mis-print that is meant to say that it is for mounting it in metal that is 5/32" thick?

-Jeff "etumor"

[FractalWalk]

I had the same issue. You basically have to make your own spacer. I was lucky in that I found some washers that worked perfectly. If that hadn't worked, I would have tried PVC.

[etumor]

I had the same issue. You basically have to make your own spacer. I was lucky in that I found some washers that worked perfectly. If that hadn't worked, I would have tried PVC.

You've got to be kidding me!  I've looked at Home Depot for washers that would work, and haven't been able to find anything.

What's killing me here is that I threw out a bunch of leaf button assemblies that came off of this control panel, because they were all cigarette burned and in horrible shape, and I knew I'd be replacing them.  But I never dreamed that the right parts would only "partially" be available.  What the hell does Wico expect you to do?!??!

-Jeff "etumor"

[RayB]

Basically you bought the wrong holders. Yours are for Wood control panels. You needed the ones with the "spacer" already built into it.

You can see and read about the varieties here:
http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/leafsw.html

[OSCAR]

By your description of the problem, it sounds as if the new Wico button holders aren't hollowed out for the button housing to fit inside, as shown in the below pic.  I haven't purchased new button leafswitch holders from Wico, I either strip them out of old cabs or buy old ones from Bob Roberts.  In the event your switch holders are solid, then you need the "distance washer" that Wico sells separately.  The 5/32" thickness seems to be the correct thickness to keep the button housing from interfering with the holder.

[etumor]

Basically you bought the wrong holders. Yours are for Wood control panels. You needed the ones with the "spacer" already built into it.

You can see and read about the varieties here:
http://www.dameon.net/BBBB/leafsw.html

Wico doesn't sell the ones with the spacer already built in (near as I can tell).  And if you read the description of the holder, it specifically says "for metal."  More over, I anticipated this sort of problem, so I explained to the salesperson what I was trying to do (mount the buttons on a metal CP), and specifically asked them if I was getting everything that I would need to make it work.  They said yes, and treated me like I was wasting their time.

Now I have to call them back and order the distance washers -- but now I've got to figure out what else to order at the same time so that I can get my total up to their $25 minimum.  But of course, they don't list their prices in their catalog, so I have no way of knowing what I need that will bring the total up, I have to guess.

I hate Wico.

-Jeff "etumor"

[SirPeale]

It's been said before, and I'll say it again: DO NOT ORDER ITEMS FROM WICO.  Their customer service is a joke, finding prices is a joke, if you actually get your items you'll be laughing so hard, like someone told you a funny joke.  Get the picture?

[FractalWalk]

I don't think their distance washer is going to help you either unless you use a whole bunch for each button.

If I understand you correctly, you need something about 1/2" thick that you can place between the button holder and the panel.  I suggest making your own out of PVC. It's cheap and you can cut it to whatever size you need.

[rdagger]

It's been said before, and I'll say it again: DO NOT ORDER ITEMS FROM WICO.  Their customer service is a joke, finding prices is a joke, if you actually get your items you'll be laughing so hard, like someone told you a funny joke.  Get the picture?

I wish I had known that.  I placed an order with Wico because I thought I could save some money on buttons.  The first order was missing several items and 2 of the buttons were broken, so I called and complained.  A week later they sent me some of the missing parts and 2 replacement buttons.  Of course they sent me the wrong replacements and I still did not have all the parts I had ordered.  Another call to customer service and a week later I got another screwed up shipment.  At this point I gave up and ordered from Marco.  Then I got my credit card bill and noticed that they had charged me shipping on all 3 shipments.  I just let it go because I did not want to deal with them anymore.  However, 2 months later I started getting calls from their credit department saying I owe them $20.   Remember I paid with a credit card.  I left 2 messages with the credit department but the calls kept coming.  I finally reached the woman in the credit department and I hope I resolved the problem (odds seem low).  

[etumor]

It's been said before, and I'll say it again: DO NOT ORDER ITEMS FROM WICO.  Their customer service is a joke, finding prices is a joke, if you actually get your items you'll be laughing so hard, like someone told you a funny joke.  Get the picture?

I actually knew that.  I tried ordering from them once before, a long time ago, and it was a disaster, so I've avoided them ever since.  But this time I really wanted brand new leaf switch buttons, so I didn't think I had a choice.  What a nightmare.  The experience was a lot worse than what I've described here, but it sounds like I don't need to give details, since everybody else who has dealt with them feels my pain.

I may try ordering a new set of holders from Bob Roberts.  I've never ordered from him, and I'm a little unclear on how it works (just send him an email telling him what you want?).  It'll save me a ton of hassle if I don't have to deal with Wico again -- and leaf buttons and assemblies are the only reason I can think of to buy through them.

-Jeff "etumor"

[Rocky]

I too ordered from Wico (just once!) to save money.

Bob Roberts is great to deal with. Send him an email with the items you want.  He'll confirm the cost plus shipping (usually within minutes / hours) then send him a payment.

It will be faster and better than Wico.

[RayB]

By the way, I just noticed yesterday that Bob Roberts carries a whole lot of new button colors that he didn't before (including translucents). So go with Bob.