Different translucent buttons

[Tahnok]

I'm hoping to use some sort of translucent button in my new cab, but have a few questions.

Translucent leaf switch buttons are readily available, but expensive. Translucent microswitch buttons are available from Centsible, but they are convex, not concave like I want.

I was wondering if it would be possible to buy some non-translucent Centsible buttons and put the plunger into the translucent base. Or is there is some way of rigging a microswitch onto the leaf switch bases?

Thanks!

[cholin]

You want translucent microswitch buttons?  Do a quick search for translucent microswitch buttons.  Shawnzilla is producing them   He's got samples, but it'll take a while before they're sold.

[whammoed]

If you want them translucent so you can light them up, you can also use regular buttons...they light up too.

[shawnzilla]

  Shouldn't be too long before I have these available. The reason I decided to pursue making my own translucent buttons, is because a) The leaf switch ones, while looking great, are getting rarer and harder to replace b) Many people already have the proper size holes drilled for the standard happ microswitch buttons c) The centsible translucents are made of a fairly brittle material, are convex (unlike the concave Happs buttons), and are shorter than I like.

These new buttons are the exact same design as the Happs buttons, and are made of durable materials.

You want translucent microswitch buttons?

[Tahnok]

Yes, I was aware of that thread, but I don't want to wait. Will it be over a month shawnzilla? Also, they could cost more than I want to spend.

So, thanks for the suggestions, but could anybody answer my questions?

whammoed, I could have sworn that was a picture of the new translucent ones, or is that an regular opaque?

[quarterback]

whammoed, I could have sworn that was a picture of the new translucent ones, or is that an regular opaque?

Those aren't the new translucent ones, he just posted those same pics in that thread as an example of lighting up 'normal' buttons.  My guess is that they're pics that whammoed took.  I believe he's lit up normal opaque buttons on his own cab.

[Tahnok]

whammoed, I could have sworn that was a picture of the new translucent ones, or is that an regular opaque?

Those aren't the new translucent ones, he just posted those same pics in that thread as an example of lighting up 'normal' buttons.  My guess is that they're pics that whammoed took.  I believe he's lit up normal opaque buttons on his own cab.

Impressive! I didn't know you could get opaque buttons so bright. How many LEDs is that and running at what V and I? I have a bag of 50 ultra bright blue leds sitting around, maybe I will experiment a bit when I get back next week.

[shawnzilla]

I'm not sure how long production will take (they are supposed to give me an answer on Monday).  I made the mistake early on of giving a final price when I was working with a different vendor. Now everyone seems to think that they are going to be $4 a piece. The truth is that until they give me a production cost (again, on Monday) then I don't know what my bottom line will be (hopefully lower than $4).

Whammoed's example are the regular opaque buttons lit up.

Yes, I was aware of that thread, but I don't want to wait. Will it be over a month shawnzilla? Also, they could cost more than I want to spend.

So, thanks for the suggestions, but could anybody answer my questions?

whammoed, I could have sworn that was a picture of the new translucent ones, or is that an regular opaque?

[scooter]

Or is there is some way of rigging a microswitch onto the leaf switch bases?

Yes, sort of--you can buy some Nintendo microswitch holders that will accept leaf switch buttons.  See here and here.  You can also find them occasionally on eBay.

Edit: fixed link

[whammoed]

whammoed, I could have sworn that was a picture of the new translucent ones, or is that an regular opaque?

Those aren't the new translucent ones, he just posted those same pics in that thread as an example of lighting up 'normal' buttons.