Repairing broken leaf switches

[telengard]

I was adjusting my Galaga joystick to make it a little tighter and stupidly bent off one of the tabs attached to one of the leaf switches.  This has happened before to one of my joysticks also.  It's one of the downsides of having a modular panel & leaf switch joysticks.  The tabs you attach to are much more flimsy than those on microsw ones.  Anyone know of a place I can either get replacement parts or maybe even an idea for a hack/fix?

thanks
~telengard

edit: "leaf switch"!!

[paigeoliver]

They are actually called "leaf switches" not springs!!

Bob Roberts probably has whatever you need, www.therealbobroberts.com

[telengard]

They are actually called "leaf switches" not springs!!

Bob Roberts probably has whatever you need, www.therealbobroberts.com

Thanks for the correction...                              

I was there earlier and he has "fiber" replacements but I can't tell if they would work with my Galaga joystick.  They don't look the same to me but I can't be sure...

I'll keep looking.

[paigeoliver]

Hmmm, if I can remember I will check my parts box when I get home and compare midway leafs (Galaga) to others.

[Ken Layton]

Many of the pinball parts distributors sell "leaf switch blade repair kits" which consist of raw copper long blades (different thicknesses), assorted pein/solder contact points, nylon lifters, and assorted fiber insulators. Wico has them.

[Lilwolf]

I had it happen once and I soldered onto the end of the leaf itself.  It works but looks ugly.

I JUST did it again last night trying to remove extra solder off the end of a monroe stick...  I haven't decided if I will try it again.

You do have the advantage that your just going to replace it if it doesn't work...  It did take a log time to get to stick well.  I think I got solder on th front and back (small amount)... Then I attached a pre-soldiered wire.   

I should problably find some more flexible wire.

[daywane]

I have a bookmark on ebay for leaf switches, some times they sell real cheep.
I keep a bucket full of leafs around for just that problem.
I started this when most people wanted $8.00 to $10.00 each to fix my tron stick
I just got in a shipment this week . 12 leafs for $5.00 after ship 
you can solder to the leaf if all else fails

[Lilwolf]

btw, you could also get those crimp on ends that are usually used to ground to the case.. .Then ones that attach to the edge of metal.

heck, I might go out and buy some to make a better solution for my 2 broken leafs.

[Thenasty]

see  my leaf here is also broken but works by soldering it right on that spot.

[NoOne=NBA=]

On games that use a multi-piece leafswitch (Tron, Pacman, etc...) you can remove the leaf switch, and pull it apart to get the wire in-between the pieces and touching whatever piece is necessary.
Stranded wire works much better for this than solid core, btw.

For the two piece ones shown above, soldering is about the only option other than full replacement.

[daywane]

see

[Thenasty]

see

[telengard]

see  my leaf here is also broken but works by soldering it right on that spot.

cool Thenasty uses leafs.
nice to see others use leafs.
i have never realy botherd much with this leaf goes to this machine and this leaf to that. if it works use it.
I even have some pinball leafs

guess you never seen under the hood of my CP.
There are only 4 micros in there.
1. EXIT w/light
2. P1 Start
3. P2 Start
4. HELP w/light

Hehe, I love leaf switch buttons too.  They have a great feel.  Most of the games I grew up with had them I believe too so it just feels "right".  Too bad they aren't made anymore.   

~telengard